Madame Zingara’s recently revamped Haarlem & Hope restaurant in the Company’s Gardens has changed its name back to The Company’s Garden Restaurant after the former title’s colonial references ignited a wave of controversy amongst certain members of the community.

The discarded moniker had been inspired by The Nieuwe Haarlem, a Dutch ship that ran ashore on the rocks of Table Bay in 1647. The survivors of the wreckage eked out a living by growing produce on the rich and fertile land. Six months later they were discovered by a young Jan Van Riebeeck, who returned five years after that to plant his now-famous garden. The Cape became known as The Cape of Good Hope, a beacon on the journey to the East.

The Company’s Garden Restaurant

Madame Zingara announced the change on the restaurant’s Facebook page on Monday and actions are already in effect to make the required changes across all media platforms. “We weren’t forced to change the name, we chose to in order to keep the peace,” says Madame Zingara representative Olivia van den Heever.

Madame Zingara took to Facebook to explain: “The only reason we tendered for the restaurant in the first place was to do good and create a positive environment. We are not here to celebrate the past, we are in this business as we are invested in the future – education, skills development and sustainability are the things that matter to us,” wrote the team.

The Company’s Garden Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

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