Home News Multi-storey hotel threatens Bo-Kaap’s identity

Multi-storey hotel threatens Bo-Kaap’s identity

Cultural heritage clashes with modern development.

by Salaamedia Intern

Auwal Masjid, Bo-Kaap, Cape Town. [Picture: TripAdvisor]

 

By: Muskaan Ayesha


A proposed six-story hotel, planned just 20 meters from the Auwal Masjid, in the heart of Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, where the call to prayer echoes through cobblestone streets, has sparked outrage among residents.

The Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association, led by Osman Shabad, is leading the charge to protect the neighborhood’s rich cultural heritage from being overshadowed by the looming threat of modern construction.

Residents are concerned that the architecture of the building will not fit in with the architectural design of the area. “When there is mortar and brick to be built, it needs to fit into the environment of … and this building clearly does not stick to that type of guideline,” Shabad said.

The proposed six-story hotel promises economic benefits, including tourism and job creation. For locals, the hotel represents more than just an architectural intrusion, it’s a threat to the identity and soul of Bo-Kaap. The Auwal Masjid, South Africa’s oldest, is not just a building; it’s a living heritage site, a sanctuary of faith and history that has served generations.

Residents also criticise the lack of meaningful consultation. According to Shabad, they “just woke up one day and got this notice that there’s going to be a development in this area and whether you like it or not, it is going to happen”.

This six-story hotel project dates back to 2007, when a ten-story proposal first emerged, yet the concerns of the Bo-Kaap community have been ignored. Heritage guidelines exist to protect areas like Bo-Kaap, but enforcement appears to have taken a back seat to economic ambitions.

While proponents argue the six-story hotel will address unemployment, locals fear the development’s benefits will bypass the community entirely. Economic progress must not come at the expense of cultural preservation. The challenge lies in finding a middle ground, one that respects both the need for growth and the responsibility to honor the past.

For centuries, Bo-Kaap has been a symbol of Cape Town’s vibrant history, its brightly painted homes and narrow streets telling stories of resilience, faith, and community. The fight for this historic neighborhood is a reminder: in building for the future, we must remember to carry the past with us.

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