Khayelitsha's guided jogging tour: cultural exploration or poverty tourism?

THE advent of a unique guided jogging tour through Khayelitsha, Cape Town's largest township, has sparked a debate among netizens about the ethics and value of such an experience.

- ZAMANDOSI CELE

Local tour operator ABCD Travel is at the centre of this controversy, offering both local and international tourists a chance to lace up their running shoes and jog through the township's streets for R1050 via Webtickets.

The tour, which includes an introduction to Khayelitsha's history and community, promises more than just a run - it offers insights into the growth of informal communities, the current population size of the township and its cultural dynamics.

The experience also includes stops at a local school, a co-working space and a coffee shop.

"This experience is perfect if you want to explore the township in an unconventional way," states the tour operator.

Social media reactions to the jogging tour, however, reveal a polarised opinion among users.