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WARNING TO BLACK GUESTS — THINK TWICE BEFORE BOOKING AT MOJO

My experience at Mojo Hotel has been extremely disappointing, and I would strongly caution Black guests to think very carefully before booking here.

The room I booked was nothing like what I saw in the online advertising. I was told by a staff member that some of the photographs used online were old and that AI-generated images are also used. Whatever the explanation, the reality is that what you see when booking and what you actually receive can be two very different things. I will be posting photographs so people can judge the condition of the property for themselves.

The property is extremely old, worn and poorly maintained. There is an old, stale smell throughout, the cupboards and fixtures are tired, and even the shower fixture fell on my head. This is not the standard I expected from what is presented online.

I also had personal belongings go missing during my stay. A large jar of coffee disappeared from the communal accommodation. I reported it and asked for the matter to be investigated. I was not given a satisfactory explanation. My flip-flops also disappeared from my locked room while I was away with my key. After searching extensively, they mysteriously reappeared in my room after I had left. I find the circumstances extremely disturbing.

What made the experience even worse was the way complaints were handled. There were repeated disturbances from other guests, including loud music and banging doors. I reported the noise and staff intervened, but the behaviour resumed. Despite raising legitimate concerns, I was subsequently treated as though I was the problem and was instructed to leave.

My sister was also treated differently when she was waiting for accommodation. I was particularly disturbed by the lack of courtesy shown to her while she was waiting during the early hours of the morning. In my view, the treatment we received was completely unacceptable.

I also cannot ignore the racial aspect of my experience. I believe I was treated differently because I am Black. I observed other guests, including white and coloured guests, receiving courtesies that I was not given. I regard the treatment I received as ****** and discriminatory, and that is how I experienced it.

I am not saying that every person working at Mojo is the same, but the overall experience left me feeling disrespected, unwelcome and unfairly targeted.

I am also still waiting for my outstanding money and the return/accounting for my missing coffee. Instead of taking responsibility and resolving the matter properly, I was left feeling as though my concerns were simply being dismissed.

To Black travellers and guests: please think twice before booking here. There are other establishments in Cape Town, including Black-owned businesses, where you can spend your money and expect to be treated with dignity and respect. Consider supporting those businesses instead.

I will be posting photographs of the actual condition of the property because prospective guests deserve to see what they are actually paying for—not just carefully selected or AI-generated advertising images.

My experience at Mojo was deeply disappointing. I would not return, and I would encourage prospective Black guests in particular to do their research carefully before spending their money here.