Cape Town is often described as one of the most beautiful cities in the world—but for many who live
there, it is becoming increasingly unlivable. In the heart of the city, just minutes from the ocean, modern apartment blocks stand tall—sleek, desirable, and out of reach for the very people who work there. Instead, many of these homes are being reserved for tourists, with short-term rentals dominating the market. In some parts of the city centre, as much as 70 percent of residential housing is now used for visitors rather than residents. For thousands of Capetonians, this has meant being
pushed further and further out—away from jobs, schools, and essential services—into long daily
commutes that can stretch for hours. Critics argue that this is not just an economic issue, but a
continuation of spatial inequality rooted in apartheid, where people of colour were forced to the margins of the city. City leaders, including Geordin Hill-Lewis, say tourism is vital to the economy, bringing in jobs and billions in revenue. But for many residents, the question is becoming unavoidable: who is Cape Town really being built for?