Bo-Kaap residents call for stricter regulations on short-term rentals

Residents of Bo-Kaap are calling on the City of Cape Town to regulate short-term rentals in the area.

Locals say that the number of Airbnb-style accommodations has grown significantly, posing a risk to the heritage, culture, and community at large.

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Bo-Kaap is South Africa's oldest living urban Muslim community that borders the Cape Town CBD with 19 heritage sites.

Sheikh Dawood Terblanche from Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association said that residents were concerned that unregulated tourism is eroding their community's unique identity and heritage – rather than creating beneficial partnerships.

He said the trend of family homes being swapped for tourist lodging was concerning.

"Unfortunately, some – not all – do not understand the culture, the history of the area… what happens is we see people drinking openly… there is loud music being played, disruptions in the early hours of the morning. It becomes unbearable for us."

Terblanche said they were not calling for a ban on short-term rentals but rather advocating for regulations requiring owners to live on the property, and for the city to impose stricter zoning.

"I don’t think we are denying the rights of people in the area… we are asking for some sort of regulations to be put in place… we are not saying no," he said.

To listen to Terblanche in conversation with CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit, click the audio player below: