Part of the historical suburb of District Six, which rose to prominence during the Apartheid government and the forced removals, is included in Zonnebloem. In the 1970s, these laws required that non-white people be forcibly (and frequently violently) ejected from their homes, many of which were situated in the region now known as Zonnebloem. They were then transported to squatter settlements outside of the city. In tragic circumstances, 60 000 people were relocated from District Six.
Unfortunately, this also resulted in the destruction of a large number of the homes, mosques, churches, and schools that were in the area at the time, depriving Zonnebloem and its surroundings of their unique qualities.
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology and a few police housing units can be seen in this Cape Town area today. The City Bowl, with its array of art galleries, shops, markets, corporate behemoths, salons, restaurants, and entertainment venues, is nearby. Nearby streets Long Street and Kloof Street are also teeming with interesting things to see and do.