Neighbourhood CT - 04 October 2015

PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

NeighbourhoodRSA

Seascape livingExplore the playful shores of Blouberg with usTurn to page 10 for more

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03 ROSÉ ROCKS SPOTLIGHT: BLOUBERG PRACTICAL HOME-BUYING GREEN LIVING1710 15

04 OCTOBER 2015

Neighbourhood2 04 OCTOBER 2015NEWS & LIFESTYLE

TASTE FOR YOURSELF:

Hidden Valley021 880 2646hiddenvalley.co.za

The secret is out A fresh energy is sweeping Stellenbosch wine estate Hidden Valley — the home of Overture restaurant — as its new owner takes the helm

Looking for a new challenge after retiring as the CEO of Capitec, Riaan Stassen is now focusing

his considerable energy on taking the beautiful Hidden Valley wine estate, tucked into the heights of the Helderberg above Stellenbosch, to the next level.

“What I love about Hidden Valley is that I’ve got a very good platform to work from, where the main challenge is to create something really special out of what we’ve got. I don’t have to change the vineyards or the winemaking techniques; it’s just housekeeping and making sure all the sta� are aligned to a common vision,” says Riaan.

This doesn’t mean that there’s no outlet for the energy and creative planning that took Capitec from start-up to household name. Riaan envisages Hidden Valley as a boutique wine estate that people visit for the whole experience, linking the stunning natural setting and indigenous forest with the excellent food and good wine on o� er, and adding intriguing art to the mix. Sculptor Willie Botha will be resident artist here from October, with an open studio, and is dreaming up some dramatic sculptures for the estate.

WORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK IMAGES: SUPPLIED

“Something else I’m looking forward to is the creation of walking trails with picnic spots, which will be ready for this summer,” adds Riaan. He’s developing just 20 private picnic spots where guests will be able to savour the special baskets put together by Overture. To reach the spots, guests will take paths that run through indigenous gardens and forest.

Over a fabulous lunch at Overture, where chef patron Bertus Basson combines the comfort food nostalgia of traditional farm kitchens with a contemporary lightness of touch and freshness of fl avour, Riaan explains their plans for the restaurant. “Bertus and I share the same creativity and the same objectives: to continue to innovate while maintaining consistency of quality,” he says. “We’ve agreed to upgrade the restaurant next winter and also to open a new brasserie with a braai theme.” This is to be built on the hillside adjoining the main restaurant before next winter and will double as a functions venue.

Hidden Valley is already on the gourmet’s bucket list — Overture’s well-deserved reputation has made sure of that — and with these plans for the estate’s

enhancement already under way, visitors will discover a place to linger and explore, and to experience food, wine, art and nature in a beautiful setting.

I like challenges,

re-engineering, being creative and doing something different. One of my personal goals is to make the farm profi table. It’s not just a hobbyRIAAN STASSEN, OWNER: HIDDEN VALLEY

HIDDEN VALLEY WINESThe estate’s portfolio of wines — Hidden Secret, Hidden Gems, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage — will be joined by a new rosé that will be launched this month. Winemaker Annelie van Dyk is also planning an experimental corner of the vineyard with a view to creating limited-edition wines.

Editor’s ExclusiveCLAIRE BARNARDO

Neighbourhood’s Spotlight On

articles celebrate just how incredibly beautiful South Africa, its cities and its suburbs truly are

CT Surf, sand and glorious sunsets are the recipe for relaxed everyday living in Blouberg on the West Coast

PE In St Francis, quaint coastal villages o� er a laid-back, authentically Eastern Cape experience

KZN Named after a former governor, the suburb of Musgrave is proudly traditional yet unquestionably modern

PTA Arcadia, one of Pretoria’s oldest suburbs, is known for its rich heritage, greenery and sense of community

JHB Hyde Park is one of the most sought-after suburbs in the country to call home

PUBLISHED BY THE CREATIVE GROUP

9 6th Street, Parkhurst, 2193011 476 6293thecreativegroup.info

EDITORIAL TEAM

Group Editor: Claire [email protected] Director: Mark Peddle

ADVERTISING SALES: Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za or call 087 828 0423

Sales & Marketing Manager: Michèle Jones [email protected] Manager: Dylan Rothschild [email protected] (Editorial & Property Advertising): Lucea Goosen [email protected]

Editorial Consultant: Bridget McNultyChief Copy Editor: Yaron BlecherManaging Editor: Charis Le RicheArt Director: Leah de JagerDesigner: Megan CooperOnline Editor: Lauren Joubert

THE CREATIVE GROUP CEO: Shaun Minnie [email protected]

Neighbourhood 304 OCTOBER 2015 NEWS & LIFESTYLE

SEE FOR YOURSELF:

Rosé Rocks

roserocks.co.za

I f Louis Gossett Jr and that beer advert are to be believed, men “don’t drink pink drinks”.

When it comes to the world of wine, though, he’d be wrong.

Worldwide, the demand for Rosé-style wine is booming, with fi gures from the United States suggesting that the category is growing 10 times faster than the average for table wine.

Far from being the poor cousin of the cellar, “pink wine production is now seen as a serious business around the world,” noted wine critic and judge Jancis Robinson, MW (master of wine), in the Financial Times earlier this year.

Locally, the category is gathering steam too, and sales have tripled over the past seven years. You’ll also fi nd a growing range of Rosés on the shelves of wine boutiques countrywide as vintners explore this refreshing wine style that’s an ideal match for our hot summer days.

Tapping into the rapid rise of the “pink drink”, South Africa’s fi rst wine competition devoted purely to Rosé-style wines was launched earlier this year, with the results announced this week.

The inaugural Rosé Rocks competition saw more than 160 wines entered across fi ve categories, from dry Rosé to “sweet stickies”. The competition also included Rosé-style Méthode Cap Classique, with a panel of seven wine critics, buyers and sommeliers judging the entries.

“The standard of the winning wines are outstanding. South Africa is now making world-class Rosé wine,” commented Allan Mullins, respected wine critic and chairman of the judging panel, who noted that “the majority of the wines which were entered into the competition were dry, and this refl ects the type of Rosé wines consumers are increasingly buying”.

The overall winner was the Tamboerskloof Katharien Syrah Rosé 2015, a salmon-coloured rosé from the farm Kleinood above Stellenbosch. It’s made from Shiraz grapes, and you’ll fi nd strawberry, melon and a delicate spiciness on the palate. It’s a superb example of just how good Rosé can be.

Rosé rocksNeed a new tipple for the summertime? Try out these winning wines from the inaugural Rosé Rocks competition

WORDS: RICHARD HOLMES IMAGES: SUPPLIED

ALL THE WINNERS• Overall winner: Tamboerskloof

Katharien Syrah Rosé 2015

• Brampton Rosé 2015

• Eagle’s Cliff Shiraz Rosé 2015

• Fat Bastard Pinot Noir Rosé 2014

• Noble Hill Mourvèdre Rosé 2015

• Noble Savage Cabernet

Sauvignon Rosé 2015

• Arabella Pink Panacea

• Signal Gun Rosé 2015

• Warwick The First Lady Dry Rosé 2015

• Slanghoek Vinay Rosé

Natural Sweet 2015

ADVERTISING SALES: Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za or call 087 828 0423

Sales & Marketing Manager: Michèle Jones [email protected] Manager: Dylan Rothschild [email protected] (Editorial & Property Advertising): Lucea Goosen [email protected]

Neighbourhood4 NEWS & LIFESTYLE

We’ve explored the City Bowl to bring you the best spots in town where you

can catch music from local talent.

The Waiting RoomLocated on Long Street, The Waiting Room is where you’ll fi nd all the cool kids. Every Tuesday expect to see Cape Town’s up-and-coming artists performing, while some of the best DJs spin their tunes from Wednesday through to Saturday. Another bonus is that it is conveniently located above Royale Eatery, so you can grab a burger downstairs before heading up for the music. The Waiting Room is also home to a phenomenally decked out rooftop, perfect for summer nights.

The Blah Blah BarWedged between some of the best restaurants and boutiques lies Kloof Street gem The Blah Blah Bar. This venue has fi rmly established itself as the place to see the best in local talent. Husband and wife team Carsten Rasch and Heidi Erdmann also own the Erdmann Contemporary gallery upstairs, so you can enjoy what Cape Town is best known for: great music and art. It is also home to Ferdinando’s Pizza, so you can get a wholesome pizza before a show. What more could you ask for?

Straight No ChaserStraight No Chaser has become the place to go if you want to appreciate sensational jazz. Kesivan Naidoo

Presenting four of the hottest live music venues in Cape TownWORDS: CHARIS LE RICHE IMAGE: IVAN HENDRICKS

and Lee Thomson are credited for bringing this no-holds-barred music venue to the world. They based their concept on famous jazz clubs overseas, such as the Village Vanguard, Smalls Jazz Club and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. This is the place to be when you want to sit back and absorb the smooth sounds from some of the immense jazz talent South Africa has to o� er.

HQAt HQ you can enjoy superb tapas and steak with great music. The cosmopolitan eatery hosts an acoustic night on Mondays, and after the dinner rush on Fridays and Saturday the city’s coolest DJs take to the decks. This steakhouse-come-bar hosts a variety of specials and events, so keep an eye on their Facebook page to fi nd out what’s happening.

04 OCTOBER 2015

EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF:

The Waiting Room021 422 4536facebook.com/WaitingRoomCT

The Blah Blah Bar082 349 8849blahblahbar.co.za

Straight No Chaser076 679 2697facebook.com/straightnochaserclub

HQ021 424 6373hqrestaurant.co.za

Mother City jams

Neighbourhood 5NEWS & LIFESTYLE04 OCTOBER 2015

Shop at Made in the Cape MarketNothing beats a good shopping spree as soon as the salary is in, so treat yourself to a day of locally crafted goodies at the Made in the Cape Market. Find an array of items, including jewellery, ceramics, textiles and a plethora of interior decor delights. Maybe you’ll find that perfect whitewashed canvas you’ve been looking for, or an indulgent honey-and-milk lotion to add some elegance to your bathroom. The market will be open today from 10am to 5pm at Cavendish Square, Claremont. If you can’t make it, Made in the Cape Market promises to return on 30 October 2015.

WORDS: ANDY MÖLLER

IMAGES: SUPPLIED & ISTOCK

It’s a new month,which means it’s time for another

well-deserved “treat yo’self”

day

LOCAL LOWDOWN

PUT THIS IN YOUR DIARY…

The Palms Market is a weekly

event, Saturdays, 9am to 2pm.

Once a month it also plays host

to a not-to-be-missed celebrity

cook-off sponsored by Spekko.

DON’T MISS:

Brides-to-be, don’t miss the Bridal

Expo taking place on 30 to 31

October. Enter the competition

to win fantastic prizes too.


The Palms021 462 0394palms.co.za

A visit to The Palms in Woodstock is more than just a shopping trip; it’s an experience — and parking is convenient and ample. Keep in mind that The Palms also offers a delightful menu, be it breakfast, lunch or a light snack, and drinks of all kinds at its fantastic restaurant and coffee shops.

1

Lunch at Cafe ManhattanShopping is a lot of exercise, so get your energy levels back up with a luscious lunch at Cafe Manhattan. Situated on Waterkant Street, Green Point, and known as one of the trendiest dining spots on the “pink strip”, Cafe Manhattan offers ample food portions and a vibrant ambience. If you’re unsure about what to indulge in, I recommend trying The Smokehouse, a delicious salad comprising smoked salmon, avo, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes and lemon, drizzled with an orange-and-honey vinaigrette. Be warned, though, it can get rather packed in the evenings, so booking is recommended.3

Read more about Andy Möller’s Mother City adventures on his blog:

iamonline.ninja.

Decor go-to The Palms in Woodstock is where modern style meets timeless craft

Spring is a time to change, refresh and renew, and the best place to start is by redecorating your

living space. The Palms at 145 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, is renowned as a decor and design hot spot, with a variety of shops offering antiques, contemporary decor and furniture, fabrics and special art pieces.

Once home to Baumann’s Biscuits and Duens Bread in the early 1900s, The Palms centre has experienced its share of change over the decades and has done so with style and grace. This unique and enchanting historical building was transformed into a decor and lifestyle shopping destination in 2000, retaining the majority of the original factory features and trimmings. The result is a centre that continues to radiate old-world charm with a romantic ambience, but which is also home to stores in touch with decor, art and lifestyle trends.

With a unique building, The Palms offers an array of one-of-a-kind decor products that can be found nowhere else. Beautify your home with the original pieces found here. Some pieces are made to order and many are the result of the skill and talent of local craftsmen and -women. All are sure to please and impress.


Made in the Cape Market072 223 8046facebook.com/MadeInTheCape

Cafe Manhattan021 421 6666manhattan.co.za

Stillcapetownfringe.co.za

2Ogle at Still (Fringe Festival Production)End your Sunday on a cultural note by going to watch Still, an Abstr(Act) Productions theatre piece that forms part of the Cape Town Fringe Festival. Directed by and starring the Pansa-award-winning writer Jannes Erasmus, Still tells the story of a sister in search of her missing brother. The strange twist is that she goes about her search using photography because, as we know, photos are but frozen moments of emotion. The production also stars Blyde Smit and promises to be a heartfelt journey with intriguing visuals. Tonight, as the final eve of the Fringe Festival, Still will be performed at Alexander Bar on Strand Street at 9.30pm.

ADVERTORIAL

Neighbourhood6 NEWS & LIFESTYLE 4 OCTOBER 2015 Neighbourhood6 NEWS & LIFESTYLE 4 OCTOBER 2015

Furniture trends are often an indication of our collective mood at a particular point in time.

When times are good, our homes are fi lled with bold statement pieces usually focusing more on looks than on comfort, but when times are uncertain we seek reassurance in the familiar and simple.

It’s not surprising, then, given that the world seems to be fraught with instability at the moment, that a current trend in

WORDS: CHRIS REID IMAGE: ARFLEX, LIGNE-ROSET AND WEYLANDTS

The line between bedroom and living area continues to blur

Home comforts

SEE FOR YOURSELF:

Arfl ex

arfl ext.it

Ligne-Roset

011 706 9961

ligne-roset.com

Weylandts

weylandts.co.za

furniture and home decor sees the whole house styled like an extension of the bed.

We’ve seen the rise of this trend in furniture detailing for some time now, with quilting and other bedding-inspired elements showing up in trade shows and trend pieces. Now brands, such as Arfl ex and Ligne-Roset, are taking this approach even further, with sofas and chairs that appear to be made out of pillows, duvets and quilts.

Locally, Weylands has taken a similar approach with its Domain chair, which features a loose, sheeting-inspired design. With pieces like this we’re also seeing the trend move beyond single products, with the relaxed styling of bedrooms moving through into the living areas and to the rest of the house.

This is part of a larger worldwide trend towards the blurring of the boundaries between rooms — in

this case, bedrooms becoming more like living spaces and vice versa.

People are seeking to make their homes more comfortable in any way that they can. In response to this, product designers need to look at creating furniture and decor pieces that draw cues from the bedroom . For architects and interior professionals, on the other hand, creating sanctuary-like spaces throughout the home is key.

Neighbourhood8 NEWS & LIFESTYLE 4 OCTOBER 2015

Joan Collins said, “Age is just a number. It’s totally irrelevant, unless, of course, you happen

to be a bottle of wine.” Too true, especially if you’re in the heart of South Africa’s wineland. With its Mediterranean climate and an expanse that encompasses Paarl, Franschhoek, Robertson, Stellenbosch, Pniel and Wellington, the Cape winelands is the only wine stop you need make when in the Cape. Of course, we also boast the Constantia, Hermanus and Durbanville wine estates. There is no better way to spend a day, weekend or an entire week touring our winelands, fl ute or glass in hand?

WORDS: LAUREN ALBERTYN IMAGE: ISTOCK

Indulge your senses in the Cape winelands’ experience – beautifully crafted wines and incredible sights

Situated in the heart ofthe Stellenbosch Winelands,

less than an hours’ drive fromCape Town, Lanzerac is theperfect place to sip, sample

and savour superb wines.

Enjoy a tasting in the comfort ofthe luxurious Tasting Room, or

on the verandah overlooking the vineyards with breathtaking

views of the valley.

The Tasting Room is open seven days a week, from 9am to 6pm,and offers visitors a selection of

informative tastings.

www.lanzeracwines.co.za

Tel.: +27 (0)21 886 5641

We’ve come full circle.First wine estate in the worldto bottle Pinotage in 1959, andnow in 2015, honoured by the crème de crème of the wine industry with top honours for the same variety.

JF HILLEBRANDPINOTAGE TROPHY:Lanzerac Pinotage 2013

DOUBLE GOLD:Lanzerac Merlot 2013

GOLD:Lanzerac Chardonnay 2014

GOLD:Lanzerac Le Général 2012

SILVER:Lanzerac Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

SILVER:Lanzerac Pionier Pinotage 2012

An impressive six awards in total, and it’s all thanks to the hard work and dedication of our Cellar Master Wynand Lategan, Viticulturist Danie Malherbe and the rest of their teams.

fCape Town, Lanzerac is theperfect place to sip, sample

and savour superb wines.

Enjoy a tasting in the comfort ofthe luxurious Tasting Room, or

on the verandah overlooking thevineyards with breathtaking

views of the valley.

The Tasting Room is open sevendays a week, from 9am to 6pm,and offers visitors a selection of

informative tastings.

eracwines.co.za

(0)21 886 5641

Feeling peckish?

The Lanzerac Deli adjacent to the Tasting Rooms

serves light lunches, ranging from

gourmet sandwichesto delicious platters.

Neighbourhood

Joan Collins said, “Age is just a number. It’s totally irrelevant, unless, of course, you happen

to be a bottle of wine.” Too true, Vino delight

Wine Tasting • Lunch • Dinner

Welmoed Wine Farm • R310 Baden Powell Drive • StellenboschTel: (021) 881 8062 • www.stellenboschvineyards.co.za

Bistro 13 • Tel: (021) 881 3044 • www.bistro13.co.zaGPS Coordinates: 33o59’26.24”S | 18o46’00.23”E

Your ultimate food & wine experience in the Stellenbosch winelands...

SundayTimes Neighbourhood Advert_20150928.indd 1 2015/09/30 12:39:15 PM

Wine Bar & Tasting Room

0217948632 [email protected] facebook/beauconstantia @beauconstantia

[email protected]

biltongice cream

nougatfudge

meringuechocolate

Neighbourhood 9NEWS & LIFESTYLE04 OCTOBER 2015

You say “Shiraz”, I say “Syrah”

There are two types of people in the wine world: those who believe that Shiraz and Syrah is the same thing, and those who don’t. “The simple answer is that Shiraz and Syrah are the same thing,” says local wine celebrity Michael Fridjhon. “It used to be that European countries would use the label ‘Syrah’, whereas countries such as South Africa and Australia would label it ‘Shiraz’. The European Syrah would often be more subtle and less oaky than the Shiraz, but that had more to do with how they were made.” It’s true that they are made from the same dark grape varietal, though based on the climate and terroir they’re grown in, you can expect very di� erent tastes. Whether or not you are still confused, don’t fret, as both go perfectly with your favourite foods.

Age is totally irrelevant,

unless you happen to be a bottle of wineJOAN COLLINS, ACTRESS

FIVE INTERESTING WINE-PAIRING EXPERIENCES:

Wine and…

Neighbourhood

Surf, sand and glorious sunsets are the recipe for relaxed everyday living in Blouberg on the West Coast

BloubergWORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK IMAGES: PRIVATE PROPERTY, ISTOCK, GOOGLE

Spotlight on

10 SPOTLIGHT 04 OCTOBER 2015

Neighbourhood 11SPOTLIGHT04 OCTOBER 2015

schools such as Table View High School and Blouberg Ridge Primary.

Residents get together for community events, such as regular beach clean-ups and full-moon beach walks, and a new local market starting up at the Big Bay Surf Lifesaving Club this month looks set to be another fun focus. On a daily basis, however, the community forms around the casual meet-ups of an open-air lifestyle. “The people are mostly friendly, with many of them jogging along the roads or taking dogs for strolls,” says Suzette Muller, who lives here with her family. “I love the weather and the mountain view. The view of the kitesurfers on the water on a windy day is amazing and the view during the last 10 minutes of sunset is the best.”

While the beach is the prime focus of the area (who can resist gazing out to sea or watching Table Mountain in all its moods?), there are inland attractions too: hiking trails, fynbos and even more fabulous views from the top of the hill in Blaauwberg Nature Reserve; windsurfing and flat-water sports on the lagoon and in the nature reserve at Rietvlei; and golf at Milnerton or Atlantic Beach golf club.

If you live to the rhythm of the tides and get out on the water at every opportunity, Blouberg offers the perfect work/life balance. If you prefer your feet on dry land, the sunset views can be equally addictive and rewarding.

The smell of

the ocean, the sound of the surf,

the sand between one’s toes and picture-postcard

views of Table Mountain might represent memories of summer

beach holidays for most, but for those who live in Blouberg they are

woven into the fabric of daily life.

Dive off the R27 onto Marine Drive and coast down the long beachfront from Dolphin Beach through Bloubergrant to Bloubergstrand. The rainbow flocks of kitesurfers’ kites along the way produce a hypnotic spectacle on any afternoon when the wind blows — and that’s often. There are also street traders, food trucks serving snacks such as gourmet frozen yoghurts and burgers, and people out walking their dogs, running, or strolling along with their kids.

Kitesurfers and water sports enthusiasts are spoilt for choice, with the whole long Blouberg Beach to spread out along, and Big Bay too, which is a popular surfing spot where you can also pick up beginner lessons and lifeguard courses or watch international competitions.

“I love the fact that I can walk to the beach,” says a local resident who goes by the name of Lollo and has lived in Blouberg for 11 years. “We have the best view in the world and the community

is very laid-back. I’m a water baby, so my main obsession is SUP [stand-

up paddleboarding] surf and longboard. I’m in the water

seven days a week if I can be.”

On afternoons when the wind

is pumping,

families with small kids prefer to head to the more sheltered Kleinbaai for bucket-and-spade play. This is also a prime spot for sundowners, with people flocking from all over Cape Town to institutions such as The Blue Peter Hotel with its sloping lawns offering a stunning view across the beach to Robben Island, or to Ons Huisie, a converted historical fishing cottage that’s now a restaurant that serves seafood with a side order of sunset. The new development, Eden on the Bay, is another vibey spot for sundowners after a long afternoon of surf and sand.

The Blouberg area stretches along the beachfront as far as Big Bay and inland from the beach to include the looping crescents and cul-de-sacs of West Beach and Blouberg Rise on the beach side of the R27. Until fairly recently, the well-established and very desirable properties of Bloubergstrand were the northern extent of Cape Town’s Western Seaboard, but over the last decade new developments have sprung up around Big Bay and back into the dunes behind, including several new secure estates and a neighbourhood shopping mall.

It’s very much a family area and even if your kids aren’t water babies there is still a lot to choose from in the way of sports, with the nearby Sunningdale Sports Complex offering cricket, football and roller derby. Between Blouberg and the neighbouring suburbs of Table View, Parklands and Sunningdale there are plenty of schools to choose from, including private schools

such as Elkanah House, CBC St John’s Parklands, Parklands

College and Blouberg International

School, and public

In spring it blooms like no

other suburb. You can actually see people smiling for miles as they walk along the beach LOLLO, RESIDENT

Neighbourhood12 SPOTLIGHT

Eat like a local

• Morgan’s:greatcoffee

afteramorningsurf

• Carlucci’s:sandwiches,

saladsandlightmeals

• TheIndianChapter:warmwelcomes

andauthenticIndiancuisine

• PetitsFours:seaviewsand

indulgentcakesandcoffees

• Homespun:laid-backfinedining

• OnsHuisie:seafood,historic

charmandbeachviews

04 OCTOBER 2015

The Blouberg area stretches along the beachfront as far as Big Bay and inland

from the beach to include the looping crescents and cul-de-sacs of West Beach and Blouberg Rise

Property prices in the Blouberg/Table View/Melkbosstrand area

Neighbourhood 13SPOTLIGHT

Percentage of total sales

listings in the Cape Town region

Percentage of property search interest

Percentage of total rental listings

Average asking price for a typical house

(three bedrooms)

Average asking price for a fl at (30% of

properties for sale)

Average asking price for a property in a

complex (6% of properties for sale)

Average monthly rental for a three-

bedroom house

R2,33m R1,02m R2,14m R19,700

18%

11%

14%

Demand for property in the Blouberg/Table View/Melkbosstrand area

04 OCTOBER 2015

A home for everyonewww.privateproperty.co.za

79 007 properties under R1Million. Find yours.

Neighbourhood 15PROPERTY NEWS04 OCTOBER 2015

Despite challenging economic conditions during 2014 extending into 2015,

there is growing interest in home purchases, indicating a strong residential market. Whatever the reason for property interest, it remains a huge commitment. Before acquiring or renovating a property, more South Africans are increasingly assessing all fi nancial implications to make a decision that fi ts their budget and needs.

Steven Barker, head: Home Loans, Standard Bank, says South Africans are adopting a practical approach to buying homes in 2015, taking time to consider the fi nancial advantages and disadvantages of buying, moving or renovating properties. He says customers are making decisions only after weighing up several factors, including examining transfer and legal costs when buying a property, municipal rates, taxes and sectional title levies.

“They are assessing the costs of moving households, the implications

WORDS: LISA DEWBERRY IMAGE: ISTOCK

Buying, moving or renovating a home or investment property is a huge commitment

of making physical changes to a new home and the costs of buying furniture and fi ttings for a new home. They are comparing maintenance costs of established homes in the suburbs versus higher-density townhouse complexes and weighing the advantages of buying a new build against an older existing home,” he says. Barker adds that where the costs are considered to excessively outweigh the advantages of moving, many customers are applying for fi nance to improve their properties by renovating or adding on to them. He says that in the current economic environment, well-located homes close to the required amenities are getting most of the interest. Justin Easthorpe, regional sales manager: Ooba, says that buying an investment home is a big expense and that buyers are ensuring they know as much as possible about the property and the market before taking this step. He says investment buyers are beginning to understand

that it’s important to know what they are buying the property for, as this a� ects the decisions they make. “If buying property for investment purposes, buyers realise the importance of location, as return on investment depends on demand for the property being rented out. They are also ensuring they’ll be able to rent out the property by doing internet research and speaking to a few estate agents in the area about local property price growth and rental rates, to ensure good price growth,” says Easthorpe. If buyers are purchasing a unit in a holiday rental block, he adds, then they ask the agent for the holiday occupancy rate from the previous year, to assess whether or not they will be able to make a sizeable return on their new property investment. By being informed about every aspect of their purchases, buyers are setting themselves up for a good rental return from their investment properties, says Easthorpe.

Buying: the practical approach

Neighbourhood16 PROPERTY NEWS 04 OCTOBER 2015

WORDS: LEA JACOBS IMAGE: PRIVATE PROPERTY

If you want to live in an area that boasts great amenities, gorgeous views and fantastic beaches, then the Western Seaboard beckons

A lthough there are those who are willing to pay a premium to live on the slopes of Table

Mountain, there are others who prefer to take a step back, look at the bigger picture and enjoy the view of the spectacular mountain from afar. Residents of the Western Seaboard, an area that incorporates suburbs such as Bloubergstrand, Milnerton, Table View and Melkbosstrand, have the best of both worlds: gorgeous beaches, spectacular views and a terrifi c lifestyle.

Emarie Campbell, MD, Pam Golding Properties Western Seaboard, says the area has mushroomed over the past 15 years (it was, at one stage, the fastest growing area in the country) and the region now boasts excellent infrastructure in the form of schools, shopping facilities and entertainment options.

“The MyCiTi bus service has proven to be a bonus: not only has it alleviated congestion on the roads, but it has also provided safe, reliable transport for the children in the area, who use the service to get to school, the city and the beaches,” says Campbell.

Likewise, she notes, the Sandown Road extension has opened a corridor from the Northern Suburbs to the area, making travel far easier.

“The entire region is a success story,” she says. “The Eden on the Bay shopping mall is often likened to the V&A Waterfront and o� ers a plethora of shops, restaurants and cafes which add to the great lifestyle in the area.”

She notes that although beachfront property sells at a premium, older homes set back from the beach and which o� er good views of Table Mountain sell on average for between R1,5m and R1,8m.

Caron Leslie, broker/owner, RE/MAX Property Associates says the entire area has an amazing community network.

Says Leslie, “As in other areas across the country, there is some crime. However, we are extremely fortunate to have Parklands Neighbourhood Watch, Blouberg Residents Association, Table View Neighbourhood Watch and Sunset Beach Crime Watch, all of which work closely with the police and local security companies in order to keep on top of any criminal activities.

“There is still a great deal of development going on and there are new builds being erected in Parklands and Sunningdale. These developments o� er excellent value for money, and a brand-new starter home will cost just over R1m.”

The area o� ers a good choice of homes across the price spectrum. “Unlike so many other areas of Cape Town, it’s still possible to buy a home for under R600,000,” she says. “Likewise, it’s also possible to fi nd a mansion priced in the upper millions that boasts views of two heritage sites as well as the sea.”

The best of both worlds

Residents of the Western

Seaboard have the best of both worlds: gorgeous beaches, spectacular views and a terrifi c lifestyle

Analyse itPATRICK CAIRNS

One hundred black industrialists is not enoughOver the last couple of years

the government has begun promoting the idea of

creating “black industrialists” — black South Africans who own and control businesses that can have a meaningful impact on employment and economic empowerment.

In his 2014 state of the nation speech, President Zuma noted that “we have to work more intensively to develop emerging or black industrialists”. This year he once again referred to the same theme.

Through the departments of economic development and trade and industry, the government has announced signifi cant support for these industrialists. State-owned enterprises have also committed to procuring goods and services from black-owned businesses.

All of this comes from the government’s ideal of acting as a “developmental state”, of using public institutions to drive economic transformation. The government aims to have 50 benefi ciaries of its black industrialist programme by the end of this year and 100 by the end of 2016.

No one can fault the idea that black South Africans must claim a more meaningful stake in the economy. Business as usual in South Africa is not an option. It is a threat to social and political stability, and high economic growth will come only from supporting entrepreneurship and increasing the number of productive citizens in the country.

The question, however, is what the government’s role should be in this process. How does one really “develop black industrialists”?

The answer to that question is not a simple one. Certainly, some of the things the government is doing should be applauded.

Setting procurement targets for government departments and state-owned enterprises that force them to support small businesses is meaningful if properly conducted. Providing grants to support business development can help to alleviate the di� culties in securing funding.

But the fact that the government feels it is necessary to make a specifi ed, limited number of companies the focus of its e� orts merely highlights the problem. South Africa does not need 100 successful black entrepreneurs. It needs tens of thousands of them.

The government cannot support that many businesses through the mechanisms it has proposed. The scale of what needs to be done is too great.

The only way the government can really encourage the development of businesses on that scale is by creating an enabling environment: lowering the bureaucratic barriers to starting a business, improving education, simplifying tax laws and ensuring labour market fl exibility

The only way it can really encourage the development of businesses on that scale is by creating an enabling environment: lowering the bureaucratic barriers to starting a business, improving education, simplifying tax laws and ensuring labour market fl exibility.

If the government really wants to identify particularly promising businesses and get behind them, then that in itself is no bad thing. But it cannot force entrepreneurship. That comes only from setting up an environment in which businesses want, and are able, to fl ourish on their own.

Neighbourhood

WORDS: CLAIRE BARNARDO IMAGES: SUPPLIED

Load shedding has become commonplace in South Africa, but while daily conversation is

about alternative power sources, it does nothing for the bigger picture. We are running out of power and we need to make real changes, fast.

But where to begin? Kerry Henning, marketing manager: Saint-Gobain, says that sustainability is not a choice. With predictions that the energy crisis will be here for at least another fi ve years, water supply becoming a challenge and building costs on the rise, the picture is dismal. “Often we can build the home of our dreams, but are unable to live in it or a� ord to maintain it,” says Kerry.

Saint-Gobain recently ran a campaign titled #Wintertest. A leader in innovative solutions to habitat construction, it built Stand 47 on

Becoming sustainable

Monaghan Farm in Johannesburg and invited people to spend a night in the house in the dead of winter.

Built from energy-e� cient materials, Stand 47 requires no mechanical heating or cooling, and is designed to conserve resources and reduce waste without compromising on comfort. For instance, it incorporates drywall and ceiling systems that are warm to the touch and assist in insulating the home.

It seems that Stand 47 has exceeded expectations and demonstrated that sustainability in residential property is achievable. Says architect Natus Viljoen, world-class manufacturer facilitator at Donn, “Staying in the house changed my mind about living green. You don’t need all these perceived luxuries of heaters, air conditioning and fans. At Stand 47 the insulation was done correctly by using

Faced with the reality of the energy crisis, it’s time we South Africans put our sustainability ideas into practice

17PROPERTY NEWS04 OCTOBER 2015

Neighbourhood

HOW TO BUILD FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY

• Windows:asinglepaneofglasscanlosealmost10timesasmuchheatasthesameareaofinsulatedwall.Considerinstallingdouble-pane,low-emissivity(low-e)coatingglasstoreducethetransferofheatthroughthewindows.Low-ecoatingisavailableforhigh,moderateorlowsolargain.

• Reducedwindow-to-wallratio:thecorrectbalancebetweenglazedandwallsurfacesintheexternalfacademaximisesdaylightwhileminimisingunwantedheattransfer,resultinginreducedenergyconsumption.

• Shading:externalshadingdevicesprotectwindowsfromdirectsunlightthatincreasesbothsolarheatgainandglare.Designsthattakeadvantageofsummerandwintersunshouldbeconsidered.

• Ventilation:anaturalventilationstrategycanimprovetheoccupant’scomfortbyprovidingaccesstofreshairaswellasreducingthetemperature.Thisresultsinareductionofthecoolingload,whichlowersbothinitialcapitalandmaintenancecosts.

• Heatpumps:usedforheatingwater,theseuseelectricitytotransferheatfromtheairtowaterinatankratherthangeneratingheatdirectly.

• Lighting:usingCFL(compactfluorescentlamps),LED(light-emittingdiode)orT5lampshelpstoreduceabuilding’senergyuseonlighting.Heatgainsarelowered,whichinturnreducescoolingrequirements.Theservicelifeofthesetypesofbulbsisgenerallyhigherthanregularlightbulbs,soongoingmaintenancecostsarereduced.

• Solar:photovoltaic(PV)panelshelpreducetheamountofelectricitydrawndownfromthenationalgrid.PVpanelsunlockthelatentpotentialinherentineverybuilding’sroofspacetogenerateclean,renewableenergyfromthesun.

• Gadgets:unlikeconventionalmeters,smartmetershelptoreduceenergydemandbyraisingtheoccupants’awarenessoftheamountofenergythey’reconsuming.Thiscanresultin10%to20%energysavings.

INSULATION COSTS

• Isovergeyserblanket—aboutR230• ThinkPinkAeroliteceilinginsulation

—aboutR52/m²formaterial• Dry-liningwallinsulation—between

R120/m²andR350/m² (Allcostsexcludelabour)

DID YOU KNOW?

Outerwallsinahousecanaccountforupto30%ofheatlossandgain.

the right material for the application. What a difference it made, as it was very cold the night we stayed and the inside of the house was so comfortable that we didn’t even feel the need for a heater. That is sustainability.”

The first step is to analyse your current home, its sustainability and what you can begin to look at changing. Henning points out, for example, that in winter a home can lose up to 35% of its energy through an uninsulated roof and will gain the same amount of energy in summer. “By adding thermal insulation to the design of low-cost housing or retrofitting a ceiling with insulation in a home without thermal insulation, it is possible to save up to 78% of a home’s energy consumption for heating and cooling, as long as one implements additional energy-saving techniques,” she says.

Begin by looking at the design of your roof and ceilings, as this can account for 25% to 45% of heat gain or loss. A properly insulated ceiling can cost less than 1% of the total per-square-metre building cost, says Henning. And if you are fortunate enough to be building from scratch, you should realise that homes no longer have to be built from bricks and mortar. Using simple, sustainable design principles will help to overcome energy challenges.

The house was so comfortable that we didn’t even feel the need for a heater.

That is sustainability NATUS VILJOEN, ARCHITECT, ON STAYING AT STAND 47

18 PROPERTY NEWS 04 OCTOBER 2015

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6 REASONS TO BUY in Vida Nova

Neighbourhood22 04 OCTOBER 2015MARKETPLACE

MARKETPLACEArea Guide Agency Guide

SOUTHERN SUBURBS

Pinelands 33

WESTERN SEABOARD Atlantic Beach 38, 39

Big Bay 27, 33, 36, 37

Blouberg 34

Bloubergrand 31, 34, 35, 36, 37

Bloubergsands 23, 36

Bloubergstrand 27, 31, 34, 35, 37

Eden on the Bay 34

Flamingo Vlei 35, 36

La Paloma 23

Melkbosstrand 27, 32

Parklands 23, 27, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37

Royal Ascot 34

Sunset Beach 36

Table View 34, 34, 37

Van Riebeeckstrand 23

West Beach 37

WEST COAST

Paternoster 23

Yzerfontein 39

NORTHERN SUBURBS

Aurora 29

Bellville 23

Boston 23

Loevenstein 29

Plattekloof 30

BOLAND, OVERBERG

& HELDERBERG Franschhoek 24, 25, 29

Hermanus 29

Lakewood Village 29

Paarl 24, 25, 29

Somerset West 29

Voelklip 29

Atlantic Beach Estate 38

Chas Everitt International Property Group 28ERA Real Estate 34Jawitz Properties 35Neo Estate 23Pam Golding Properties 29 - 31Pandora 48Rawson Properties 36Re/Max International Property Group 32 - 33Seeff Properties 37Sotheby's international Realty 26 - 27Val de Vie 24 - 25

Classifieds:Atlantic Beach Property Sales 35Rawson Properties 35

yourneighbourhood.co.za | 04 OCTOBER 2015 31

yourneighbourhood.co.za | 04 OCTOBER 201532








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Neighbourhood CT - 04 October 2015