South Africa’s Residential Estate Community

The residential community sector in South Africa is often referred to as having ‘gated communities’ or ‘lifestyle estates’. Whilst not wholly inaccurate (a visible and organised security structure encompassing gated entrance and exits points, is, after all, one of the biggest attractions of a community of this nature), these expressions do serve more as an umbrella...

Plett is the Place

Move over, Stellenbosch, for a new and exciting bubby route has surfaced and is hot on your heels. Possessing all the foundations to create tasty wines, Plettenberg Bay is in the midst of a quiet wine revolution, stamping its Garden Route footprint all over the international wine map.

Peter Thorpe is the man with a vision and is almost wholly responsible for...

Estate Living has become a way of life

The South African residential estate community continues to rebut global trends, enjoying year on year healthy growth. Today, there are over 318 000 properties on offer with more than 6000 gated communities and private estates across the country with a combined value of R643 billion.

More and more South Africans are steering towards homes ...

Sanctuary in the City

Amidst the hustle and bustle of busy Sandton City is an unruffled piece of heavenly bliss. Nestled in the lush suburb of Morningside Manor, Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa is internationally recognised as one of the most beautiful, romantic and exclusive hotels in South Africa.

Owners John and Anna Thacker have successfully created an ...

Greening your Premium

Eco-friendly home improvement projects are becoming ever more popular among homeowners of today. A greater concern for the wellbeing of our planet and an eagerness to reduce their home’s carbon impact as well as South Africa’s worrying energy crisis has caused an increasing number of homeowners to look at alternative and greener...

A traditional village way of life with the Nooitgedacht Village estate in Stellenbosch

We often dream of a lifestyle where the aroma of freshly baked bread and brewed coffee wafts through the home, while, outside, cobbled avenues and landscaped lawns trace a path to a fountained courtyard. Evenings are spent catching up with friends and neighbours at the local deli, tucking into delicious food and wine or simply watching the sun set behind the ...

Mark of Mandela

Globally, it showcases all that South Africa has to offer and, domestically, it is doing its bit to sustain local producers whilst challenging the status quo, something the Mandelas know a thing or two about.

“Our father and grandfather’s Xhosa name, Rolihlahla, literally translates as ‘the one who is brave enough to go and fetch ...

Western Cape Wonders in the New World Wealth Report

South Africa boasts a staggering 318 000 residential properties within secure gated communities. With a combined value of R643 billion, equating to just under R2 million per property, luxury lifestyle estates continue to attract a growing number of domestic buyers as well investors from across the world.In a bid to share some light on this fascinating sector...

FLISP – The Missing Money

When it comes to buying a property, money talks. Between bonds, cash offers and asking prices, the process is driven by it. What many first time home buyers don’t know is that there is a government subsidy in place to assist in purchasing property, and many are missing out.

FLISP, or Finance Linked Individual Subsidy ...

Bankenveld Estate - in the heart of Africa's energy hub

Emalahleni, the Nguni word meaning place of coal, is a small, coal mining city situated on the Highveld of Mpumalanga and in its centre is the stunning Witbank Dam.

Cushioned on the North West banks of the dam, lies the charming Bankenveld Estate and like cold water to a weary soul the dam forms a fundamental feature of this unique yet thoroughly ...