- Written by Danai Nesta Kupemba
- bbc news
image source, Getty Images
Cape Town's Table Mountain provides a stunning backdrop for the city
Digital nomads, a new generation of laptop-toting remote workers, have found themselves in the middle of a debate in the South African city of Cape Town over whether they're good for permanent residents.
While supporters believe that foreign inflows are an economic boon and should be encouraged, their critics are not so kind.
For Azumare Dubeni, a 25-year-old South African social media content creator, the city is facing a “digital nomad epidemic” that is driving up housing and other costs.
Dubeny, who has lived in this beautiful coastal city all her life, says the number of remote workers, mainly from Western countries, has increased significantly since COVID-19. There are no official numbers, but she's not the only one to notice the change.
“When you walk into a cafe, you hear German, French, Dutch and American accents,” she told the BBC, vividly describing the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Cape Town's new workforce.
If all you need is a decent internet connection, why not base yourself in one of the most beautiful cities in the world?
Given the backdrop of Table Mountain, ocean views and perfect summer weather, the appeal is obvious when compared to a plain gray office cubicle.
In a TikTok video, Marley Rose Harris, who describes herself as a digital entrepreneur, calls the city “the most magical place in the world.”
Currently, many of these visitors, who work in areas such as copywriting and digital content production, are allowed to stay and work for foreign companies for up to 90 days, although the length of stay varies depending on their nationality.
“Cape Town is an ideal destination for digital nomads who want to combine aspects of tourism and work into their daily activities,” said Councilor James Vos, who sits on the city’s Economic Growth Committee. says.
He added that research shows these working visitors bring in a lot of money during their stay, around $2,700 (about £2,139) per person.
The national government is also paying attention.
In February, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced proposals for a remote work visa available to “so-called digital nomads, who can work virtually from anywhere in the world” employed by foreign organizations.
However, details have not been fleshed out.
Amelie Satzger, a 29-year-old photographer from Germany, has been to Cape Town twice in the past two years as a digital nomad and welcomes the idea of a special visa.
Her German passport allows her to stay and work in South Africa for up to three months, but her Polish boyfriend's passport allows her to stay and work in South Africa for only 30 days.
She hopes the proposed visa will help more people who want to work in Cape Town for an extended period of time.
Satzger said the warmer climate, local community and lower cost of living compared to Germany are the reasons he wants to return home. She says earning euros will make life easier in the city.
Despite rising prices in South Africa, getting paid in a foreign currency often means more money.
“Cape Town is a big city, but it's also a very intimate place. It's not too crazy,” she says.
Cape Town has many attractions where digital nomads can combine work and leisure
Satsger is part of various WhatsApp groups with other digital nomads, with whom she enjoys freediving, hiking, and surfing in her free time.
She also made many South African friends whom she met through meditation groups.
”[When] You’re back, and there are people looking forward to seeing you,” she says.
But looking at the amount of complaints on social media, including TikTok videos and comments on X, many Capetonians don't feel that way.
Dubeny says he has been forced to leave the city where he has lived all his life. She worries that she will never be able to afford to leave her parents and live on her own, as she had always wanted.
Rent prices are among the highest in the country because there are too few properties in Cape Town and too many people are chasing them. According to South African real estate website PayProp, the average rent is around $540 per month, with prices increasing by just under 4% from 2022 to 2023.
“Digital nomads have made Cape Town uninhabitable,” she sighs.
Cape Town-based rental agent Grant Smee told the BBC there had been a “huge spike in foreigners looking for three to six month rentals”, indicating an increase in remote workers. .
He said local residents are becoming more concerned because they are being priced out of the housing market.
Smee says foreigners have more power than locals because they can offer landlords higher rents or pay months in advance, something many South Africans don't have the luxury of. .
Satzger said he is aware of the growing shortage of housing in the city and understands the frustration many local residents are feeling.
Rental expert Smee said the proposed digital nomad visa could worsen the housing situation.
The city government pledged to protect local communities.
“This means cultivating a destination that not only attracts visitors, but also enriches the lives of those who live and work here.
“Part of this is ensuring destinations are accessible, affordable, and preserve, celebrate and empower the communities and cultures that make them unique,” said a local politician. says Voss.
But Smee believes city officials need to go a step further and enforce rent controls, something he knows the majority of landlords would oppose.
He admits that capping rents is “an extreme solution.” [but] It is becoming increasingly clear that further regulation is needed to protect the interests of local residents. ”
Dubeny also points out that the idea of creating a special digital nomad visa for visitors coming primarily from Europe and North America is a double standard.
Immigrants from other parts of the continent are sometimes viewed with suspicion, and immigration levels have become a major issue ahead of next month's general elections.
“The question arises: who is more important, African or European?” asks Dubeny.
But while complaints from many locals persist, there is little sign that the local rules will change, and the beauty of this place, also known as the Mother City, will continue to attract digital nomads.
