[Opinion] Oh Cape Town, "Using my white privilege"

[Sherbang]

So the other day my friend, who happens to be black, sent me a text: could I please call this number and book a table for six people for the following evening. Her dad had tried and was told it was fully booked. He suspected racism.

Well, I thought , or rather hoped, it's the holiday season, tourists everywhere, chances are, the place is fully booked.

But I was wrong. I got a booking no problem.

I even asked twice: are you sure, you have a table for six people tomorrow evening? The friendly lady said, yes, that's confirmed. She took my name and number and that was that.

Needless to elaborate on my feelings of outrage, frustration, dismay and the whole scale in between.
I was gutted.

My friend thought about not going (rather not give them her money on top of the insult that is) - but at the end of the day, what would that achieve?

We had talked before about claiming white spaces as a means to fight racism, but should people really have to spend their friend- and family-time in a racist environment, being stared at and whispered about at the very least, and possibly openly insulted?

But then again, I suppose this is the every day reality of black people in predominantly white spaces - so what difference does it make if its just another day in white suburbia, or rather Camps bay in that case?

They did go.

And were told at reception: Sorry, we don't have a booking under that name.

WHAT???

My phone rang, as I was bathing my kids. My friend only says: "Apparently you did not book..." and hands over the phone to a flustered receptionist, who clearly did not expect those black people she was about to send away to have a white back up at the other end of that phone.

http://www.thedailyvox.co.za/what-h...-reservations-at-a-post-cape-town-restaurant/

http://gunnagirls.blogspot.com/

 

[ToxicBunny]

Ok, yes... The 12 Apostles is now a racist establishment. BS of the highest order.

 

[lived666]

Story Reeks of absolute Bull Sheeet.
They would go under within a week

 

[RanzB]

You know, I've been to CT so many times, have never felt like anyone was being racist toward me. And even if someone was, why wouldn't they want business?

Is it predominantly black people that feel like this in CT?

 

[STS]

http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-afr...staurant-denies-racism-1.1801645#.VKutUyKUdHU

Cape Town - The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa in Camps Bay has denied race had anything to do with a family’s unpleasant experience at the upmarket restaurant, saying an “administrative error” was to blame.

“Still, when such problems occur, the staff of The Twelve Apostles go out of their way to find a solution to ensure guest satisfaction.”

When it was clear Mpofu’s booking had not been recorded, the plan was to open up the private dining room, said Nel.

“The guests declined this offer, preferring to remain in the restaurant for dinner. At that point we received a cancellation… and the assistant manager managed to accommodate the party of six on this now vacant table, where they then stayed for dinner.

 

[Compton_effect]

No. That does sounds racist and does not have a place in South Africa.

 

[bokdrol]

Really shocking and shameful. Very cringeworthy. Hope they get their comeuppance.

 

[Compton_effect]

http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-afr...staurant-denies-racism-1.1801645#.VKutUyKUdHU

Now that does sound like BS. its a pity we can't catch a idiot like that out with a hidden camera.
It would be such fun to have him come and tell his story on Carte Blanche, then have the hidden footage aired.

 

[RanzB]

http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-afr...staurant-denies-racism-1.1801645#.VKutUyKUdHU

This does sound sketchy.

 

[Bar0n]

http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-afr...staurant-denies-racism-1.1801645#.VKutUyKUdHU

Not buying this. I think they're just trying to save face.

 

[ToxicBunny]

This does sound sketchy.

I would tend to think at worst this is possibly racism on the part of a single staff member at the restaurant, but more than likely there was an administrative error of some kind and this muppet is trying to blow it up into something bigger to get traffic to their blog.

 

[RanzB]

I would tend to think at worst this is possibly racism on the part of a single staff member at the restaurant, but more than likely there was an administrative error of some kind and this muppet is trying to blow it up into something bigger to get traffic to their blog.

Could be both racism and an attention-seeking muppet.

 

[Sherbang]

http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-afr...staurant-denies-racism-1.1801645#.VKutUyKUdHU

As one of the commentators pointed out:

Fact: The person who "sounded" black and had an african surname was told the restaurant was fully booked.
Fact: not even 2 minutes later the person who sounds white gets a booking for the exact time and number of people as previously denied.
Fact: upon arrival the black people were told there is no space for them and no booking was made.
Fact: after the white person calls and threatens with social media exposure there is suddenly space - even in the restaurant.

facts that are all unfortunate events and misunderstandings?

 

[diesel]

Alot of the time resuarants tell people on the phone they are fully booked because they dont want to reserve tables during a busy period , they would rather have people walk in and wait for a table to keep their tables full and turning.

 

[xrapidx]

Because businesses hate money from black people.

 

[Joker]

Having lived in cape town for nearly 15 years I've never once come across blatant racism like this, nor heard anything like this from friends/colleagues. This is simple click-bait people flock to at the outrageousness of it.

 

[RanzB]

Having lived in cape town for nearly 15 years I've never once come across blatant racism like this, nor heard anything like this from friends/colleagues. This is simple click-bait people flock to at the outrageousness of it.

Same thing I thought, until I saw the response.

 

[Sherbang]

Having lived in cape town for nearly 15 years I've never once come across blatant racism like this, nor heard anything like this from friends/colleagues. This is simple click-bait people flock to at the outrageousness of it.

What race are you, just out of interest?

 

[RanzB]

As one of the commentators pointed out:

Fact: The person who "sounded" black and had an african surname was told the restaurant was fully booked.
Fact: not even 2 minutes later the person who sounds white gets a booking for the exact time and number of people as previously denied.
Fact: upon arrival the black people were told there is no space for them and no booking was made.
Fact: after the white person calls and threatens with social media exposure there is suddenly space - even in the restaurant.

facts that are all unfortunate events and misunderstandings?

Not all of those are 'facts' dear. It's secondhand info.

Alot of the time resuarants tell people on the phone they are fully booked because they dont want to reserve tables during a busy period , they would rather have people walk in and wait for a table to keep their tables full and turning.

Nah, doesn't add up, or if the story is true, the author wouldn't have been able to book either.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Hmm.

I notice many black commenters saying they've been there multiple times with no hint of racism.

The thing about them being asked to be less noisy also seems like a leap, to me. I see no reason to conclude that they were asked to be quiet because they're black. Overly noisy patrons all need to be told to stfu, regardless of race.

Restaurant's asking us to buy a fairly big coincidence, though...