Durban TikTok creator details five-night stay in Johannesburg’s 'notorious' Ponte City

Tamera Sunny, a 25-year-old TikTok creator, and her friend spent five nights in Johannesburg's notorious Ponte City after mistakenly booking an Airbnb at the building, unaware of its troubled past. The group, consisting of five friends traveling for Comic Con, had booked a luxury apartment at Ponte Tower without realizing the building's history or the dangerous reputation of Hillbrow, the neighborhood it was located in.

Sunny and her friend discovered the area's notorious reputation only after making the booking, despite having no prior knowledge of the history or dangers associated with Ponte and Hillbrow. Their Airbnb listing featured a top-floor apartment with floor-to-ceiling views and numerous five-star reviews from international guests, but none mentioned the building's infamous past.

Despite the group's initial research, they found it difficult to locate alternative accommodation, as they had a non-refundable booking at Ponte City. Consequently, they decided to stay, embracing the experience despite their fears. Their first day was spent at Gold Reef City, and they dedicated two days to Comic Con before settling into the apartment.

Upon arrival, Sunny was surprised by the cleanliness and modernity of the apartment, contrary to her expectations of a dilapidated, eerie building. The surrounding streets, while seemingly clean, were secured by advanced security measures, such as facial recognition at the entrance and a reception. Inside the building, Sunny and her friend encountered families, children, and professionals going about their daily lives, far from the apocalypse she anticipated.