When I first moved to Cape Town many moons ago, it was because of my late brother, whose vivid tales of the city had painted such a magical picture that I couldn’t resist.
He’d gush about Simon’s Town, the quaint marine village where he went to boarding school, and describe every corner with an enthusiasm that made me roll my eyes. I thought, “Weh, this one unehaba he’s surely exaggerating”.
But here’s the thing: he wasn’t. And now, years later, as I explore this city I’ve come to call home, I find myself seeing it through his eyes.
He had a flair for drama. However, have become part of my own Cape Town narrative. Yet, embarrassingly, there are still iconic experiences I’ve never had.
Cape Town TikTok creator from Ottery, Jade Arendse, whose candid confessions about places and things that are “uniquely” Capetonian that she’s never experienced in her own city, have sparked a conversation that’s hilarious, humbling and deeply relatable.
Turns out, I’m not alone. Like Arendse, there are places I’ve never set foot in. Cape Point. Chapman’s Peak. Still sitting neatly on my 2026 bucket list.
“Am I even a Capetonian?”
@jade_arendse CPT trip is booked and the itinerary is FULL #southafricantiktok #cpt #capetowntiktok ♬ original sound – jade_arendse
In a now-viral TikTok video, Arendse rattled off a list of quintessential Cape Town experiences she’s yet to tick off her bucket list.
Arendse admits she’s never experienced a First Thursday in Cape Town.
“I’m actually so embarrassed for saying it out loud,” she laughs. Same, honestly. Then she drops another one: she’s never been to Rands. Never. “It always looks like a vibe,” she says.
Her candid honesty has struck a chord with locals who’ve flooded her comment section with their own confessions:
“I’ve never been to Table Mountain,” one user admitted.
“I’ve never ridden the Cape Wheel,” another chimed in, adding a laughing emoji to soften the sting of self-realisation.
Her TikTok is peppered with humour, the kind that only Capetonians will truly get. “I’ve never been to Robben Island,” she admits, before cheekily adding, “The only seals I’ve seen are those ombefkote seals in Kalk Bay, you know, the ghetto ones.”
Then comes Goudini Spa. Never been. Never seen it. And Langebaan? That mythical place where everyone seems to have an uncle, a friend, or a mysterious family holiday house. Arendse’s only spa references? Avalon Springs and Ceres, which somehow makes this even more relatable.
Signal Hill sunset? Never. Lover’s Lane? “A bru has never taken me there,” she says mischievously, adding that her friends have she knows what happens there.
The city’s romance, it seems, has been experienced mostly second-hand.
She’s never been to a park-off (but dreams of one in Tokyo), grew up calling the V&A Waterfront “the Wharfs”, and casually admits that sometimes saying these things out loud makes her wonder: “Am I even a Capetonian?”
Why are locals missing out on their own city?
This conversation has sparked a deeper question: why do so many locals skip out on their city’s most famous attractions?
Perhaps it’s because we take them for granted. When you live in a postcard-perfect place like Cape Town, it’s easy to assume you’ll get to it someday. But more often than not, “someday” never comes.
Cape Town is a city of contrasts where tourists flock to iconic spots like Table Mountain, Boulders Beach and the V&A Waterfront, while locals are busy navigating the everyday grind.
But Arendse’s confessions, and the flood of comments they’ve inspired, offer a gentle reminder: we don’t need a plane ticket to explore. Sometimes, the adventure we’re looking for is right in our backyard.
Arendse’s TikTok isn’t just entertaining it’s inspiring. It’s a call for Capetonians to rediscover their city with fresh eyes.
Think about it: when was the last time you watched the sunset from Signal Hill or took the scenic drive along Chapman’s Peak?
Have you ever hopped on the red City Sightseeing bus or indulged in a lazy afternoon at a wine estate in Stellenbosch?
The truth is, Cape Town offers an endless list of experiences, from the quirky to the quintessential. Whether it’s sipping wine at Spier, picking strawberries at Polkadraai, or simply strolling through the Bo-Kaap’s colorful streets, there’s something for everyone.
And as locals, we owe it to ourselves to experience it all not just for the Instagram post, but for the joy of truly knowing and loving our city.
A shared bucket list for 2026
And why not? Let’s make 2026 the year we embrace Cape Town like tourists.
