Cape Town comedian Khanyisa Jam's humorous plea to tourists: When are you going home?

Cape Town-based comedian Khanyisa Jam, popularly known as JamJam, has voiced the frustrations of many locals regarding the overwhelming number of visitors in the city.

In a light-hearted yet poignant Instagram post, he asked tourists when they plan to leave, capturing the sentiments of residents who feel "gatvol" (fed up) with the influx of holidaymakers.

In his post, Jam stated, “To all our friends visiting us here in Cape Town, we just want to know: when are you guys going home? This December has been one of the most festive periods, and it doesn’t even feel like January.

"However, we need to rein it back in and take control because we don’t have the capacity.”

He continued, “You know those friends who don’t live in Cape Town? Every day, they want to try something new. It’s always about wine estates or breakfast at Jan’s. While we appreciate these experiences, we live here full-time and can’t afford to indulge in them every day. So, when are you leaving?

“It was nice having you, don’t get it twisted. It was a festive time, perhaps too festive, but it’s time to go home.”

His comments resonated with many locals, as evidenced by the reactions on social media.

One user, @adriankaplan, expressed, “As a born and bred Capetonian, I refuse to go anywhere near the Atlantic seaboard from December to March. Please call me when they've all left.”

Another user, @jasonsadriaan, lamented, “We’re tired of being tour guides 😭.”

User @issa_goddess22 humorously responded, “If you wanna fight, let’s go outside because I’m not leaving 😂😂😂😂.”

Meanwhile, @iamdamiangaza joked, “😂😭 they’re overstaying, man.”

While Jam’s remarks were made in jest, they highlight a growing concern among many residents about the impact of tourism on their daily lives.

Many locals have taken to platforms like TikTok and Instagram to voice their discontent, citing issues such as the high cost of living and difficulties accessing restaurants due to the influx of tourists.

As the festive season winds down, the question remains: when will tourists heed the call of Cape Town's residents and return home?