Two cities, one tale: Tackling South Africa’s changing landscape

Johannesburg, once a gold rush beacon, now grapples with infrastructural decline and political instability, leading many to draw connections to the African National Congress's influence. Concurrently, Cape Town emerges as a favored destination for South Africa's affluent, especially from the white demographic, in a phenomenon termed “semigration.” Housing data from 2010 to 2022 reveals a 141% surge in Cape Town's house prices, doubling Johannesburg's 71%. Contributing factors include Cape Town's scenic allure, robust infrastructure, and consistent governance under the Democratic Alliance, attracting global giants like Amazon. This urban migration underscores a broader narrative: the growing identity and potential autonomy of the Western Cape, suggesting not only economic ascendancy but a potential clamor for self-determination.