Neighbourhood CT - 04 October 2015

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Neighbourhood 04 OCTOBER 2015

PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

Seascape living Explore the playful shores of Blouberg with us Turn to page 10 for more

+ Nationally, the largest property marketplace in South Africa

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ROSÉ ROCKS

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SPOTLIGHT: BLOUBERG

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PRACTICAL HOME-BUYING

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GREEN LIVING

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NEWS & LIFESTYLE

Neighbourhood

04 OCTOBER 2015

Editor’s Exclusive CLAIRE BARNARDO

Neighbourhood’s Spotlight On articles celebrate just how incredibly beautiful South Africa, its cities and its suburbs truly are

PTA

JHB

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

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

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 WORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

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ooking 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 staff are aligned to a common vision,” says Riaan.

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In St Francis, quaint coastal villages offer a laid-back, authentically Eastern Cape experience

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 offer, 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.

“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 flavour, 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 profitable. It’s not just a hobby RIAAN STASSEN, OWNER: HIDDEN VALLEY

HIDDEN VALLEY WINES The 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.

KZN

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

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TASTE FOR YOURSELF:

Surf, sand and glorious sunsets are the recipe for relaxed everyday living in Blouberg on the West Coast PUBLISHED BY THE CREATIVE GROUP 9 6th Street, Parkhurst, 2193 011 476 6293 thecreativegroup.info

Hidden Valley 021 880 2646 hiddenvalley.co.za

THE CREATIVE GROUP CEO: Shaun Minnie shaun.minnie@thecreativegroup.info EDITORIAL TEAM Group Editor: Claire Barnardo claire.barnardo@thecreativegroup.info Creative Director: Mark Peddle

Editorial Consultant: Bridget McNulty Chief Copy Editor: Yaron Blecher Managing Editor: Charis Le Riche Art Director: Leah de Jager Designer: Megan Cooper Online Editor: Lauren Joubert

ADVERTISING SALES: Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za or call 087 828 0423 Sales & Marketing Manager: Michèle Jones michele.jones@thecreativegroup.info Neighbourhood Manager: Dylan Rothschild dylanr@yourneighbourhood.co.za Production (Editorial & Property Advertising): Lucea Goosen lucea@yourneighbourhood.co.za

co.za

Neighbourhood

04 OCTOBER 2015

NEWS & LIFESTYLE

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Rosé rocks

Need a new tipple for the summertime?

Try out these winning wines from the inaugural Rosé Rocks competition WORDS: RICHARD HOLMES

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

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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 figures 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 find 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 first 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 five 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 reflects 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 find strawberry, melon and a delicate spiciness on the palate. It’s a superb example of just how good Rosé can be.

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

SEE FOR YOURSELF: Rosé Rocks roserocks.co.za

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NEWS & LIFESTYLE

04 OCTOBER 2015

Mother City jams Presenting four of the hottest live music venues in Cape Town WORDS: CHARIS LE RICHE

IMAGE: IVAN HENDRICKS

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e’ve explored the City Bowl to bring you the best spots in town where you can catch music from local talent.

The Waiting Room

Located on Long Street, The Waiting Room is where you’ll find all the cool kids. Every Tuesday expect to see Cape Town’s up-andcoming 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 Bar

Wedged between some of the best restaurants and boutiques lies Kloof Street gem The Blah Blah Bar. This venue has firmly 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 Chaser Straight No Chaser has become the place to go if you want to appreciate sensational jazz. Kesivan Naidoo

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 offer.

HQ

At 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 find out what’s happening.

EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF: The Waiting Room 021 422 4536 facebook.com/WaitingRoomCT The Blah Blah Bar 082 349 8849 blahblahbar.co.za Straight No Chaser 076 679 2697 facebook.com/straightnochaserclub HQ 021 424 6373 hqrestaurant.co.za

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04 OCTOBER 2015

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It’s a new month, LOCAL LOWDOWN

Nothing 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.

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WORDS: ANDY MÖLLER IMAGES: SUPPLIED & ISTOCK

EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF:

Ogle 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.

Cafe Manhattan 021 421 6666 manhattan.co.za Still capetownfringe.co.za

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

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pring 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.

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.

EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF: The Palms 021 462 0394 palms.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.

Lunch at Cafe Manhattan

Shopping 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 orangeand-honey vinaigrette. Be warned, though, it can get rather packed in the evenings, so booking is recommended.

Made in the Cape Market 072 223 8046 facebook.com/MadeInTheCape

ADVERTORIAL

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 oldworld charm with a romantic ambience, but which is also home to stores in touch with decor, art and lifestyle trends.

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Shop at Made in the Cape Market

which means it’s time for another well-deserved “treat yo’self” day

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NEWS & LIFESTYLE

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.

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

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NEWS & LIFESTYLE

Neighbourhood

4 OCTOBER 2015

Home comforts The line between bedroom and living area continues to blur WORDS: CHRIS REID

IMAGE: ARFLEX, LIGNE-ROSET AND WEYLANDTS

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

When times are good, our homes are filled 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

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 Arflex 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.

SEE FOR YOURSELF: Arflex arflext.it Ligne-Roset 011 706 9961 ligne-roset.com Weylandts weylandts.co.za

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NEWS & LIFESTYLE

Neighbourhood

4 OCTOBER 2015

Vino delight

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

IMAGE: ISTOCK

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oan 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, flute or glass in hand?

Situated in the heart of the Stellenbosch Winelands, less than an hours’ drive ffrom Cape Town, Lanzerac is the perfect place to sip, sample and savour superb wines.

We’ve come full circle.

First wine estate in the world to bottle Pinotage in 1959, and now in 2015, honoured by the crème de crème of the wine industry with top honours for the same variety.

Enjoy a tasting in the comfort of the luxurious Tasting Room, or on the verandah overlooking the vineyards with breathtaking views of the valley.

JF HILLEBRAND PINOTAGE TROPHY:

Lanzerac Pinotage 2013 DOUBLE GOLD:

Lanzerac Merlot 2013

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

GOLD:

Lanzerac Chardonnay 2014 GOLD:

Lanzerac Le Général 2012 SILVER:

Lanzerac Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 SILVER:

Feeling peckish?

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.

www.lanzeracwines.co.za eracwines.co.za Tel.: +27 (0)21 886 5641

The Lanzerac Deli adjacent to the Tasting Rooms serves light lunches, ranging from gourmet sandwiches to delicious platters.

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NEWS & LIFESTYLE

04 OCTOBER 2015

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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 different 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 wine JOAN COLLINS, ACTRESS

FIVE INTERESTING WINEPAIRING EXPERIENCES: Wine and…

biltong ice cream nougat fudge meringue chocolate

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

Wine Bar & Tasting Room

Wine Tasting • Lunch • Dinner

0217948632 reservations@beauconstantia.com facebook/beauconstantia @beauconstantia

Welmoed Wine Farm • R310 Baden Powell Drive • Stellenbosch Tel: (021) 881 8062 • www.stellenboschvineyards.co.za Bistro 13 • Tel: (021) 881 3044 • www.bistro13.co.za GPS Coordinates: 33o59’26.24”S | 18o46’00.23”E

SundayTimes Neighbourhood Advert_20150928.indd 1

2015/09/30 12:39:15 PM

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SPOTLIGHT

04 OCTOBER 2015

Neighbourhood

Spotlight on Blouberg Surf, sand and glorious sunsets are the recipe for relaxed everyday living in Blouberg on the West Coast WORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK

IMAGES: PRIVATE PROPERTY, ISTOCK, GOOGLE

Neighbourhood

04 OCTOBER 2015

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 [standup 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.

In spring it blooms like no other suburb. You can actually see people smiling for miles as they walk along the beach LOLLO, RESIDENT

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

SPOTLIGHT

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 flatwater 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.

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SPOTLIGHT

04 OCTOBER 2015

Eat like a local • M organ’s: great coffee after a morning surf • C arlucci’s: sandwiches, salads and light meals • T he Indian Chapter: warm welcomes and authentic Indian cuisine • P etits Fours: sea views and indulgent cakes and coffees • Homespun: laid-back fine dining ns Huisie: seafood, historic • O charm and beach views

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

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04 OCTOBER 2015

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SPOTLIGHT

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

18%

Percentage of total sales listings in the Cape Town region

14% Percentage of property search interest

11% Property prices in the Blouberg/Table View/ Melkbosstrand area Percentage of total rental listings

R2,33m

Average asking price for a typical house (three bedrooms)

R1,02m Average asking price for a flat (30% of properties for sale)

R2,14m Average asking price for a property in a complex (6% of properties for sale)

R19,700

Average monthly rental for a threebedroom house

79 007 properties under R1Million. Find yours.

A home for everyone www.privateproperty.co.za

Neighbourhood

04 OCTOBER 2015

PROPERTY NEWS

Buying: the practical approach Buying, moving or renovating a home or investment property is a huge commitment WORDS: LISA DEWBERRY

IMAGE: ISTOCK

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espite 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 financial implications to make a decision that fits 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 financial 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

of making physical changes to a new home and the costs of buying furniture and fittings for a new home. They are comparing maintenance costs of established homes in the suburbs versus higherdensity 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 finance 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 affects 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.

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PROPERTY NEWS

Analyse it PATRICK CAIRNS

One hundred black industrialists is not enough O

ver 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 significant support for these industrialists.

State-owned enterprises have also committed to procuring goods and services from black-owned businesses.

Neighbourhood

04 OCTOBER 2015

The best of both worlds If you want to live in an area that boasts great amenities, gorgeous views and fantastic beaches, then the Western Seaboard beckons WORDS: LEA JACOBS

IMAGE: PRIVATE PROPERTY

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 flexibility.

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 flourish on their own.

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 beneficiaries 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”?

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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 difficulties in securing funding.

But the fact that the government feels it is necessary to make a specified, limited number of companies the focus of its efforts 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 flexibility

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 terrific 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.

Residents of the Western Seaboard have the best of both worlds: gorgeous beaches, spectacular views and a terrific lifestyle

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 offers 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 offer 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 offer excellent value for money, and a brand-new starter home will cost just over R1m.”

The area offers 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 find a mansion priced in the upper millions that boasts views of two heritage sites as well as the sea.”

Neighbourhood

04 OCTOBER 2015

PROPERTY NEWS

Becoming sustainable Faced with the reality of the energy crisis, it’s time we South Africans put our sustainability ideas into practice WORDS: CLAIRE BARNARDO

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

L

oad 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 five 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 afford 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

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

Built from energy-efficient 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

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PROPERTY NEWS

04 OCTOBER 2015

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.”

DID YOU KNOW? Outer walls in a house can account for up to 30% of heat loss and gain.

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.

Neighbourhood

INSULATION COSTS • Isover geyser blanket — about R230 • Think Pink Aerolite ceiling insulation — about R52/m² for material • Dry-lining wall insulation — between R120/m² and R350/m² (All costs exclude labour)

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

HOW TO BUILD FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY • W indows: a single pane of glass can lose almost 10 times as much heat as the same area of insulated wall. Consider installing doublepane, low-emissivity (low-e) coating glass to reduce the transfer of heat through the windows. Low-e coating is available for high, moderate or low solar gain.

• Reduced window-to-wall ratio: the correct balance between glazed and wall surfaces in the external facade maximises daylight while minimising unwanted heat transfer, resulting in reduced energy consumption.

• Shading: external shading devices protect windows from direct sunlight that increases both solar heat gain and glare. Designs that take advantage of summer and winter sun should be considered.

• Ventilation: a natural ventilation strategy can improve the occupant’s comfort by providing access to fresh air as well as reducing the temperature. This results in a reduction of the cooling load, which lowers both initial capital and maintenance costs.

• Heat pumps: used for heating water, these use electricity to transfer heat from the air to water in a tank rather than generating heat directly.

• Lighting: using CFL (compact fluorescent lamps), LED (light-emitting diode) or T5 lamps helps to reduce a building’s energy use on lighting.

Heat gains are lowered, which in turn reduces cooling requirements. The service life of these types of bulbs is generally higher than regular light bulbs, so ongoing maintenance costs are reduced.

• Solar: photovoltaic (PV) panels help reduce the amount of electricity drawn down from the national grid. PV panels unlock the latent potential inherent in every building’s roof space to generate clean, renewable energy from the sun.

• Gadgets: unlike conventional meters, smart meters help to reduce energy demand by raising the occupants’ awareness of the amount of energy they’re consuming. This can result in 10% to 20% energy savings.

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04 OCTOBER 2015

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MARKETPLACE

Neighbourhood

04 OCTOBER 2015

MARKETPLACE Area Guide

Agency Guide

SOUTHERN SUBURBS Pinelands

WEST COAST 33

Paternoster

23

Yzerfontein

39

WESTERN SEABOARD Atlantic Beach

38, 39

NORTHERN SUBURBS

Big Bay

27, 33, 36, 37

Aurora

29

Blouberg

34

Bellville

23

Bloubergrand

31, 34, 35, 36, 37

Boston

23

Bloubergsands

23, 36

Loevenstein

29

Bloubergstrand

27, 31, 34, 35, 37

Plattekloof

30

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

Atlantic Beach Estate Chas Everitt International Property Group ERA Real Estate Jawitz Properties Neo Estate Pam Golding Properties Pandora Rawson Properties Re/Max International Property Group Seeff Properties Sotheby's international Realty Val de Vie

38

28 34 35 23 29 - 31 48 36 32 - 33 37 26 - 27 24 - 25

BOLAND, OVERBERG & HELDERBERG Franschhoek

24, 25, 29

Hermanus

29

Lakewood Village

29

Paarl

24, 25, 29

Somerset West

29

Voelklip

29

Classifieds: Atlantic Beach Property Sales Rawson Properties

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