Bo-Kaap tourism boom makes life unbearable for residents

In Bo-Kaap, a neighbourhood known for its vibrant homes and deep cultural history, change is becoming impossible to ignore. As development accelerates and costs rise, long-time residents are increasingly being forced to confront what the future of their community looks like and whether they still have a place in it.

Gentrification has become a central issue in discussions about the Cape Town CBD and surrounding areas. It refers to the process where wealthier individuals move into historically lower-income neighbourhoods, buying, renovating, and redeveloping properties. This often drives up property prices, ultimately pushing out long-time residents who can no longer afford to stay.

In Bo-Kaap, this dynamic is increasingly visible. Its prime location near the CBD has made it a target for development, while its rich cultural heritage and iconic colourful homes have long made it a major tourist attraction. This creates a growing tension between preserving culture and commodifying it.

We visited the Bo-Kaap Cultural Hub, home to the Boorhanol Islamic Movement. The space hosts guided tours and exhibitions that showcase Cape Malay culture, while also serving the community through initiatives like a food bank and a preschool.

In conversation with Mohammad Groenewald, Vice Chair of the movement, we explore what happens when culture becomes a commodity, and how rapid change can leave long-standing communities behind.

In addition, we engaged in open discussions with long-time residents of Bo-Kaap to capture their raw perspectives on the ever-changing landscape of the place they call home.

We unpack what the issues facing the community are, and what it means to fight to stay and preserve culture in an economy which values profit over everything.

When communities are priced out, what’s actually being lost? Share your thoughts.