Members of the Bo Kaap community in Cape Town have come together to protest the gentrification of the area.

The community is hoping to draw attention to the impact it is having on the residents, a process that has troubled the area for a long time. Residents are arguing against the rising property prices in the area.

Osman Shaboodien, Bo Kaap Civic Association Chairperson, says that the area is becoming too expensive for the residents who have lived there for four generations. He adds that in addition to a dramatic increase in rent and property prices there has been a considerable increase in rates and taxes for the residents. “These include the high tariff rates and exorbitant levies they (the City) want from pensioners and residents of this community,” he says.

The area, famous for its rows of colourful houses, is often a must-see on itineraries to Cape Town because of its concentration of Cape Malay culture and its historic significance in the fight against apartheid. More recently, the area has become attractive for developers because of its proximity to the city centre and central business district.

The Bo Kaap Rise Movement, an independent youth-driven social movement, is attempting to engage relevant stakeholders in the tourism industry and the city governing bodies to address the situation.

Shakirah Dramat, Spokesperson of Bo Kaap Rise, says: “We are a group of young people who have come together to try make a difference in the community. Our mothers and grandmothers have been struggling against these issues for 20 years.”

Dramat says there is a lot of misdirected anger from residents in the area, often aimed at tourists when in fact the problem lies with the management of the tourism industry. “We do not have a problem with tourists. We welcome them into our area and are excited at the opportunity to teach them about our culture, history and heritage. We do, however, think the industry needs to be managed in such a way so as to make tourism sustainable,” she says.

Bo Kaap Rise has grown to around 20 members and is hoping to give youth in the area a platform to voice their grievances.

“We have an unemployment issue and a housing issue in this area,” says Dramat. Bo Kaap Rise would like to see the tourism industry assist in creating work in the area for the residents. “For example, let’s help our unemployed members of the community study to be tour guides so that visitors can have on-site guides with in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience of the area.”

Dramat concludes: “Mostly, we would like people to engage with us, take the time to listen to us while we explain our issues.”