In Cape Town, South Africa, a fresh influx of inhabitants is causing a stir. Known as “digital nomads,” these individuals are transforming the city’s environment and sparking debates around urban growth and the welfare of local communities.
By definition, digital nomads are professionals who exploit advanced technology to facilitate remote work while embracing a nomadic lifestyle — all without disrupting their careers. Frequently moving between locations, these nomads primarily work in sectors such as technology, creative industries and consultancy, which are particularly conducive to remote operations. This working trend has grown in popularity following the COVID-19 pandemic, with an increasing number of professionals opting for this lifestyle and being drawn to specific locations that accommodate such a mode of living. Cape Town, with its impressive landscapes, lively culture and relatively affordable living expenses, has emerged as a preferred destination for many.
Acknowledging the potential economic benefits, the South African government has enthusiastically welcomed this influx. With the introduction of a digital nomad visa in early 2024, these global workers are now allowed to reside in the country for up to a year. This policy aims to boost the local economy by utilizing digital nomads’ tendency to blend work with tourism, which supports the local economy.
Photo: Freepik / 照片：Freepik
However, not all that glitters is gold. As the digital nomad population grows, so does the cost of living in Cape Town. The demand for short-term, flexible accommodation has driven up housing prices, placing significant pressure on local residents, many of whom struggle to afford living in their own neighborhoods.
Caught between the promise of economic prosperity and the risk of community issues, Cape Town stands at a crossroads. What the government must do is expedite the development of comprehensive strategies to harness the potential of digital nomads while reducing the negative impact on its residents and communities.
在南非開普敦，新一波居民的湧入引起了轟動。這些人被稱為「數位遊牧民族」，他們正在改變這座城市的環境，並激發關於城市發展和當地社區福祉的辯論。
根據定義，數位遊民是利用先進科技促進遠距工作，同時享受遊牧生活方式的專業人士──而這一切都不會干擾到他們的職業生涯。這些遊牧者經常在不同地點之間移動，主要在科技、創意產業和諮詢顧問等行業工作，這些行業特別適合遠端操作。這種工作趨勢在 COVID-19 大流行後變得更加盛行，越來越多的專業人士選擇這種生活方式，並被吸引到適合這種生活模式的特定地點。開普敦以其令人印象深刻的風景、活躍的文化和相對可負擔的生活費用，已成為許多人的首選目的地。
認識到潛在的經濟效益，南非政府熱情地歡迎這股人潮。隨著西元2024 年初數位遊民簽證的推出，這些全球工作者現在可以在該國居住長達一年。該政策旨在促進當地經濟，通過利用數位遊牧者將工作與旅遊相結合的趨勢，這樣可以支持當地經濟。
然而，閃閃發光的並非都是黃金。隨著數位遊民人口的成長，開普敦的生活成本也在上漲。對短期、彈性住宿的需求推高了房價，給當地居民帶來了巨大壓力，其中許多人負擔不起在自己社區的生活。
在經濟繁榮的承諾和社區問題的風險之間，開普敦正站在十字路口。政府必須做的是加快制定全面的策略，以利用數位遊民的潛力，同時減少對其居民和社區的負面影響。
MORE INFORMATION
nomad n. 遊牧民族；遊牧者
influx n. 湧入
nomadic adj. 遊牧的
consultancy n. 諮詢服務；顧問工作
conducive adj. 有利的
pandemic n. 疫情大流行
expedite vt. 加快；迅速完成
KEY VOCABULARY
1. inhabitant n. 居民；棲息物種
The island’s inhabitants enjoyed peaceful lives until Western explorers discovered their shores.
島上的居民享受著和平的生活，直到西方探險家發現他們的海岸。
2. exploit vt. 利用；剝削
After years of experience in the industry, Randy learned to exploit his connections to get a better-paying job.
在該產業的多年工作經驗讓藍迪學會利用他的人脈獲得薪資更優渥的工作。
3. disrupt vt. 擾亂；顛覆
A special news announcement from the president disrupted the baseball game being televised.
總統發布的特別新聞中斷電視正在轉播的棒球比賽。
4. acknowledge vt. 認可；承認
Meryl Streep is acknowledged as being one of the greatest living actresses.
梅莉．史翠普被公認為在世最偉大的女演員之一。
5. enthusiastically adv. 熱衷地；熱情地
The group got a good grade because everyone had worked so enthusiastically on the project.
這個團隊獲得好成績，因為每個人都熱衷地進行那項專案。
6. reside vi. 居住；定居
resident n. 居民
Trevor is from South Africa, but now he resides in Taiwan, where he works.
崔佛來自南非，但他現在住在是他工作地點的臺灣。
7. accommodation n. 住所；住處（常用複數）
Maggie enjoyed her trip to Japan, but said that the food and accommodation was very expensive.
瑪姬很享受她的日本之旅，但她說食物和住宿都非常昂貴。
8. comprehensive adj. 全面的；詳盡的
You will get comprehensive instructions for your exam this afternoon.
你今天下午會得到有關於你的考試的詳盡說明。
9. harness vt. 利用；駕馭
Some cities have built solar farms to harness the power of the sun for electricity.
有些城市建立太陽能農場，以利用太陽能發電。
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