Cape Town ‘mountain people’ videos spark social media debate

Social media videos featuring a group of South Africans claiming to be the ‘mountain people’ of Cape Town have gone viral, sparking debate among viewers regarding the authenticity of the encounter. The footage, filmed by a US tourist outside the Castle of Good Hope, depicts a woman and several children who identify as being ‘people of nature’ and ‘forever the native of the land.’

The group claims to live in the mountains and descend into the city to acquire food and other necessities. While the tourist described the encounter as fascinating, some social media commenters have accused the group of ‘catfishing’ tourists or engaging in a hustle to exploit visitors. During the interaction, the woman was unable to specify her particular tribe or the language she spoke.