Cape Town is changing—again. The city has seen a steady and significant influx of people semi-immigrating from other parts of South Africa, especially Johannesburg and Durban. While it’s difficult to pin down an exact number, estimates suggest that as many as 100,000 people have moved to Cape Town in recent years. Some sources put the number even higher. The mayor of Cape Town mentioned this figure publicly not too long ago, and while the specifics may vary, one thing is clear: a lot of people are heading south.
The Big Question: Who Will Employ All These People?
This isn’t just a matter of real estate and sunsets. These new arrivals—some working remotely, some searching for jobs, others eager to start businesses—are arriving with needs. And one of the most pressing is income.
Many come with the intention of running their businesses from Cape Town. That’s one group. But others arrive jobless, looking for work in a city where formal employment opportunities are scarce—unless you’re highly skilled or already networked into a specific industry. Then there’s a growing group hoping to create their own work through so-called “entrepreneurial opportunities,” which could be anything from caregiving and home services to launching a restaurant or yoga studio.
Cape Town Is Not One Market
One critical thing to understand is that Cape Town isn’t a single economic entity. It’s a patchwork of vastly different markets, cultures, and income brackets.
Take the Southern Peninsula. In Noordhoek, for example, you’ll find expansive properties and high-value homes. A local resident recently shared how their family home jumped in value from R6 million to R12 million in just a few years. It’s a well-off enclave with a distinct taste profile—on a small shopping centre notice board, you’ll see ads for yoga, Pilates, and other niche wellness services. There’s little room for large developments here, and that exclusivity shapes the local economy.
Then, swing north, and the landscape changes again. The northern suburbs are also economically diverse—wealthy in some parts, solidly middle-class in others, and in some areas, low-income. Every suburb offers a different type of consumer, a different kind of demand.
So, if you’re coming to Cape Town to start a business or offer a service, you’ll need to understand exactly where you’re landing—and who you’ll be serving.
Creativity, Hustle, and Oversupply
I’ve met many people who have moved to Cape Town recently. Some are clearly fleeing the instability or pace of life in other cities, but their personal circumstances are often unclear. What’s evident is that many are trying to make something work, and it’s not easy.
Some have begun making artisanal chilli sauce. Others have started art classes—though the market here is absolutely flooded with artists and art teachers. In nearly every suburb, you’ll find someone offering lessons in painting, drawing, or clay work. One wonders how they’ll all survive, but still—good luck to them.
Formal Jobs? Few and Far Between
As for formal employment? Well, we know how that story goes. Competition is fierce, networks matter, and opportunities are limited unless you’re entering at the top end of the corporate market. For everyone else, especially those without in-demand tech or professional skills, the options are slim.
The real takeaway is this: most people will have to create their own opportunities if they want to stay in Cape Town long-term.
Meanwhile, Back Home…
While many are flying or driving to Cape Town for a fresh start, we should never forget that millions remain behind in the provinces they’ve left. And I admire them greatly. These are the people working to rebuild places that have been eroded—often destroyed—by political neglect or outright looting by the elite.
Just this morning, I watched a video of a local councillor in Randburg making a desperate call for local investment. With the help of volunteers, she’s trying to revive the long-neglected Randburg Civic Centre, which has been closed for some time. She’s even appealing for local tourism—asking people to visit, support, and believe in their own communities again.
That effort is brave and important. Because not everyone can or wants to leave. And those who stay behind deserve our respect—and, where possible, our help.
The Silver Lining: Growth Through Migration
The positive side of the semigration wave is that these newcomers bring creativity, money, ideas, and energy. Over time, this can stimulate economic growth—especially in the local, informal, and small business sectors.
It won’t be easy, and many will struggle, but this internal migration could gradually help expand Cape Town’s economy. Not by miracle or policy, but by the sheer grit and innovation of the people arriving here, looking for a better life—while others, just as bravely, work to rebuild the homes they never left.
And what, will those who want to start their own businesses need, I may ask? It’s something I explain in detail for those brave enough but want some way to minimise the risk of losing it all.
