I'm a single mother, trying my best to provide a decent life for myself and my daughter in Cape Town. It's increasingly difficult to find affordable, safe accommodation in a good area because wealthy tourists and digital nomads have turned our housing market into a playground. European brands like Mama Shelter Residences are snapping up OUR properties, turning them into their "playgrounds" while genuine residents are priced out of their own city.

Cape Town, with its breathtaking landscape and rich cultural heritage, has become a beacon for foreign investment. Yet, the influx of European brands like Mama Shelter, seeking only leisure and profit, aggravates the housing crisis for locals. The mundane reality for a resident? Being forcefully pushed into less desirable neighbourhoods or facing daunting commutes that can stretch to a minimum of two hours. The average South African family can no longer afford to live in their city.

The misuse of words like "shelter" in naming - to market luxuriously priced real estate - is not only misleading but also an affront to the changing community demographics. With studio apartments priced from R3.025 million, which South Africans are they really seeking to serve? This is an injustice and outright INSULT to the spirit of our city and its residents.

We demand accountability from developers and city planners. There is an urgent need to prioritize housing policies that genuinely benefit the local residents of Cape Town. Local authorities must introduce measures to regulate property purchases by foreign entities and ensure housing remains affordable.

Join me in calling for action to protect Cape Town's residents from being pushed out of their own homes and neighbourhoods. If we stand together, we can make the city affordable and accessible for everyone. Let's bring the focus back to the heart of Cape Town - its people. Sign this petition to urge local leadership to enforce stronger protections and prioritize affordable housing solutions for residents over profit-driven actors.