Bo-Kaap residents say they will protest outside 150 Buitengracht Street every Friday against a development that includes a six-storey building planned for the area.

The development, which is proposed next to the Auwal Mosque, has been the subject of a lengthy dispute, with strong opposition from residents who have raised concerns about its potential impact on the historic mosque and the character of the Bo-Kaap.

The Auwal Mosque, located on Dorp Street, was built in 1794 and was the first mosque established in South Africa.

Residents and worshippers took to the streets on Friday 28 August, vowing to continue protesting until their pleas are heard.

The dispute has renewed calls to “Protect the Auwal Mosque”.

The City approved a revised six-storey hotel development at the site last year after a lengthy planning process.

Faa-iekah Ryland, secretary of thethe Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association (BKCRA), says the culture and heritage of the community are not being “considered or respected”.

“We have people moving into the area not caring about the Adhan (call to prayer). Currently we have 9 to 10 properties that have been bought and converted into Airbnb’s. We are struggling with foreigners not understanding our culture. Every second week you see that you have a new neighbour.

Rising Costs

She claims the area is becoming too expensive for locals.

“A couple of weeks ago my neighbour, who has lived here for many years, had to sell her property because she could not afford to live there anymore and she is a single parent.

“Foreign investors are buying properties in our community specially for business potential and this increases our rates and we start losing the character and the heritage of our community.”

According to Ryland most of the sites in the community have national heritage status.

“We won’t have space. We are already struggling with people working in the CBD who are parking in our community for free. Residents are already struggling with parking spaces”

Ryland said the association objects to any high-rise developments in the area.

“We do not want any high-rise buildings in our community. They are rezoning Bo-Kaap and making it smaller.”

She says their pleas are falling on deaf ears.

“We voice our dissatisfaction and take part in public participation processes but our appeals and the heritage of the community are not considered.

“We are tired of seeing this type of developments taking over our community. We want our children to continue growing up in these streets. We do not want our kids to read about Bo-Kaap in history books. We want them to grow up here and stay here.”

Gentrification concerns

Ebrahim Christian, vice-chair of the BKCRA, said the area has seen an increase in Airbnb properties and applications for guest houses over the past few years.

“If you allow these things to happen within your area then we will be doomed. Bo-Kaap is a place of living residents. Bo-Kaap is not made for these types of establishments because 99% of Bo-Kaap don’t have off-street parking.”

Christian said residents are already struggling with lack of parking.

“Where will the residents park with all these guest houses being popping up? They are planning to build a 67-unit apartment block, but no parking is provided to the apartments.”

He said as residents they want to safeguard the area against gentrification.

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