Bo-Kaap community under threat
Long standing local residents of the Bo-Kaap are clambering to hold onto their homes as property rates increase and investment markets turn on the heat in order to obtain their houses.
Bo-Kapp is nestled in the corner of the City Bowl and offers an authentic Cape Malay cultural experience right in the city centre – it is safe to say that Cape Town would not be the same without this iconically vibrant neighbourhood.
Well-known for its rich history and culture, Bo-Kaap is a place where many residents inherited their homes. With recent developments along the area, Bo-Kaap is becoming prime real-estate and international investors are bidding to obtain property or land in the district. Property has obtained a higher value than ever before, causing property rates to increase rapidly. Locals are unable to keep up with the increasing property rates as their wages account for the bare minimum. Combined with the increasing gentrification and opposing protests – residents fear losing their homes along with their heritage as Bo-Kaap is one of the oldest Muslim communities in the country.
Source: capetownetc.com