If Indonesia has Makassar, then South Africa has Macassar. Separated by thousands of miles of the Indian Ocean, these two places share an (almost) identical name.
Makassar is one of the largest cities in Indonesia, serving as the bustling capital of the South Sulawesi province and a historic maritime gateway to the eastern archipelago. Meanwhile, Macassar is a small coastal town located on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa.
How could two places so far apart share such a deep connection? What historical events brought them together?
A Shared History Across the Ocean
It all started in the 17th century, during the era of Dutch colonial rule across the Indian Ocean. In 1626, in the Sultanate of Gowa, a nobleman and scholar named Syekh Yusuf Al Makassari was born as Abadin Tadia Tjoessoep.
He spent many of his early years studying Islam in Arabia. However, when he finally returned home, he found his birthplace of Makassar already under the tight control of the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
Since he could no longer safely stay in Makassar, he moved to Banten on the island of Java. There, he became a high-ranking advisor and judge under Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, eventually leading a fierce guerrilla resistance against Dutch colonial rule.
Fearing his massive spiritual and military influence, the Dutch captured him. He was exiled first to Sri Lanka and finally to the Cape of Good Hope in 1694. He arrived in South Africa on a ship called the Voetboeg with a group of 49 followers, including his wives and children.
From Zandvliet to Macassar
Upon his arrival, the Dutch authorities placed Syekh Yusuf and his retinue on a farm called Zandvliet, located far outside the main city of Cape Town. The intent was to isolate him from other slaves and prevent him from spreading his teachings.
However, this plan failed. Zandvliet instead became a safe place for escaped slaves. It also became the foundation of the first organized Muslim community in South Africa.
Syekh Yusuf died at Zandvliet in 1699. In honor of his birthplace and heritage, the area surrounding the farm was eventually renamed Macassar.
Today, the site where he was buried is marked by a green-domed shrine called a Kramat, which remains a holy place visited by pilgrims from around the world.
Traces of Nusantara in Language and Food
The influence of the original settlers from the Nusantara archipelago is still felt in South African speech today. While the community eventually adopted Afrikaans as their main language, they brought many Malay and Indonesian words with them.
For example, the Afrikaans word for "very" or "many" is baie, which comes from the Malay word banyak. Other common loanwords include piesang (banana), baadjie (jacket), and taramakasie (thank you). These linguistic echoes serve as a permanent reminder of the multicultural roots of the Cape.
Moreover, one of the most powerful ways the connection between the two "Makassars" is preserved is through food. The early Muslim settlers were often skilled cooks who introduced spices like turmeric, cumin, cardamom, and coriander to South African kitchens.
Iconic dishes such as bobotie, samosas, beryani, and koeksisters are now staples of South African cuisine. They all have clear roots in the slave heritage of the Cape.
In the Cape Malay community, food is central to every social and religious occasion. For example, during the Kramat Festival, huge pots of chicken beryani are prepared to feed hundreds of people. Families place great importance on sitting together for home-cooked meals, viewing hospitality as a blessing on the home.
Furthermore, Syekh Yusuf is recognized as a National Hero in Indonesia and the "Father of Islam" in South Africa. His influence was so great that Nelson Mandela referred to him as "one of Africa's best sons".
Although Syekh Yusuf’s remains were eventually returned to Makassar in 1705 at the request of the Sultan of Gowa, his original burial site in Macassar remains a symbol of resilience.
