I love history. And I love architecture. So when I find both in one place, I just get so excited. Add to that a vibrant and caring community and you have hit the trifecta! Mamre has all three and then some. Mamre Werf is also home to the quaint and quirky Tori Oso Geselshuisie – a coffee shop run by two sister who hail from Mamre.
A quick 50-minute drive from Cape Town, just off the R27 West Coast Road, lies the small town of Mamre. Not only does this unassuming settlement have a rich and colourful history, it is also home to South Africa’s fifth oldest church in the remarkable Moravian Mission Station.
Now, if you have been paying attention, you will know that I love photographing churches. And this one didn’t disappoint.
History of Mamre
Originally known as Groenekloof (“Green Valley”), the town was named Mamre in 1854. The name means “an altar to the Lord”. The original church and parsonage retain their charm and were listed as national monuments in 1967. The watermill has been lovingly restored and the church is still used for services and packed to capacity on any given Sunday.
Community Christmas Market at Tori Oso
I attended the pre-launch of the Tori Oso Community Christmas Market in Mamre today. This wonderful event will be taking place on Saturday, 1 December, from 10 am – 10 pm. That is 12 hours of music, shopping, eating, #stoepstories, and outdoor movies for the kids. The Christmas lights will be switched on at 7 pm, which is the perfect way to start the festive season!
This unique Christmas market is part of The Mamre Project, a non-profit organization whose mission it is to empower local entrepreneurial women with cottage industries to become financially independent by creating markets for them to sell their goods and generate an income. So you can start on your Christmas shopping – purchasing unique, carefully hand-crafted items – and support a good cause at the same time.
Market goers can look forward to artisanal foods, handcrafted arts, crafts, décor, toys and so much more. A meal and a cup of coffee at Tori Oso is also a must. Tori Oso (meaning a place to socialize and talk in Surinaams) is a restaurant and coffee shop which was established in 2015 by Stephanie and Marlene – two sisters from Mamre – who are also the original founders of the Mamre Community Christmas Market.
Find Mamre on the West Coast Way Culture Route and Cape Way Route.
Tori Oso Geselshuis Coffee Shop
Tori Oso ‘geselshuisie’ is one of a kind in South Africa situated in Mamre on the ‘Werf’ in the historical Ou Winkel. Established for young and old to just relax or enjoy in your own unique way.
Open: Fri – Sun 10:00 to 19:00 and on Tues – Sun 10:00 – 18:00
Where: Church Street, Mamre
Contact: + 27 72 972 3539 | +27 73 378 8801 | mamre@tori-oso.co.za | www.tori-oso.co.za
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