“We’ve Been Crying”: Young Rich Woman Voices Her Concerns on Cape Town Rental Prices, SA Reacts

• A young woman from Cape Town has expressed frustration with the city's increasing rental prices
• The lady's viral TikTok video highlighted the challenges of finding affordable housing in Cape Town, where tourists are willing to pay high prices for short-term rentals, making it difficult for locals to find affordable options
• The issue has sparked calls for rent control policies and more affordable housing developments, with many residents demanding action from city planners and housing authorities to address the issue of rental affordability in Cape Town

A young woman from Cape Town has taken to social media to express her frustration with the city's ever-increasing rental prices, sparking a widespread conversation about the cost of living in one of South Africa’s most popular cities.

Time Out Magazine and The Telegraph Travel Awards have selected Cape Town as the 'Best City in the World' for 2025. These honours are determined by polls and votes from locals and tourists worldwide, which also significantly influence the cost of living in Cape Town.

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Rich CPT woman complains about rental prices

In a now-viral video posted on TikTok, the woman who goes by the handle @miasaysmoo expressed the following:

"The real reason why rich South Africans live in bad places is because every single tourist comes down here for three months of the year and decides to spend 250k to go live, Lord knows, in what shoebox. I am sitting here hoping to spend R150k a month to rent a property year-round because I live here and I can't find anything," @miasaysmoo said in her clip.

@miasaysmoo went on to add how she would be kicked out in November, so they could charge a tourist four times what they're charging her to live in the same place. She stressed how she needs to live in that place for the whole year.

"Where am I supposed to live for the rest of the month? Am I supposed to live on the beach? Am I what, no? I know the tourists want to do that, but personally, I would not like to," she added.

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She called upon people, asking if anyone would be willing to rent out a 'shoebox' or 'bathroom,' with a price under R20k.

Her video has sparked renewed calls for rent control policies and more affordable housing developments. “We’re not asking for luxury; we just want dignity and a fair price,” she said.

The conversation continues as the issue of rental affordability in Cape Town remains unresolved, with more residents demanding action from city planners and housing authorities.

Watch the video of the young lady voicing her thoughts below:

SA responds to CPT rental prices

People in South Africa expressed their thoughts on the Cape Town rental prices as they flocked to the comments section, saying:

Zhaakir said:

"Tourists should start going back to the hotels, man."

Lesedi Malope was shocked, adding:

"R150k pm?? Cape Town is that expensive?"

Mavuma wrote:

"Sis, rent for R150k per month? Why not buy property instead? This is a genuine question."

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Jade V | CareerAndContour expressed:

"Girl, I feel you! I’ve been paying R17k p/m for an actual shoebox in Kenilworth."

Pretty commented:

"Sis, we’ve been crying about it, it’s honestly tiring now."

SA vents on high cost of living in Mzansi

• A young woman has left Mzansi in disbelief after sharing a video of a R16,000-per-month bachelor apartment in Cape Town.
• A woman caused a massive stir on social media after showcasing an R8k rental in Cape Town that didn’t match the expectations for its price tag.
• One man in South Africa, had enough of the high cost of living and took to social media to vent his frustration, which many could relate to. A young woman complained about her financial struggles and the mounting bills, saying she hardly enjoys her salary.

Source: Briefly News