Bo-Kaap, Cape Town It's uncertain, but it's assumed that when Bo-Kaap people acquired their homes, they adorned them in vivid colors to reflect their independence. After apartheid ended, they celebrated their liberation by painting their houses brilliant colors. The story goes that after the British colonized South Africa, they banned anyone from building or decorating their homes with paints or dyes. The only exception was for whites, who were given permission to use red ochre as a paint. This is why all the buildings in Bo-Kaap are painted in bright colors. Even today, many older residents like to say that "the only thing old Bo-Kaap people can claim is their color!" During apartheid, it was difficult for black people to get good jobs so they usually worked as servants or in small shops. This is why most of the community leaders were also known as "headmen." Their role was to guide their communities and protect them from harm. There are still some headmen in Bo-Kaap today. After apartheid, more white people moved to Bo-Kaap and this caused problems for the locals because there weren't enough jobs for everyone. This is why some businesses closed down and others opened their doors to immigrants from other countries who would work for less money.