Neighbourhood DBN - 13 November 2016

Neighbourhood 13 NOVEMBER 2016

PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

Home sweet home Cowies Hill: a family-friendly suburb surrounded by green open spaces, page 3

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SUBURB FOCUS: COWIES HILL

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PROPERTY STATISTICS

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SPECIAL PROJECT: LIVING WITH DIABETES

OUR PRIME

PROPERTIES OF THE WEEK

6 time winner of the African Property Awards

Award winning Brettenwood Coastal Estate, located just 10 minutes from King Shaka Airport, is situated along one of the most exquisite stretches of coastline in KwaZulu-Natal. It offers its residents security, luxury, tranquility, exclusivity and an extensive range of world class amenities to suit both the young and young at heart.

MANICURED PERFECTION 97 Kingfisher Boulevard, with its grand elevation and posture, commands some of the most exquisite sea views on Brettenwood Coastal Estate. This well designed home, offers clean visual lines, functional space flow and an abundance of value for the discerning buyer.

• 4 Bed (all en-suite)

• Rim flow pool

• UPS electric back-up

• TV Lounge, family room & study

NEW LISTING

• Eco-smart technology

OFFERED AT R9 800 000

MODERN OPULANCE 8 Sunbird Lane is positioned majestically over three thousand square meters of finely manicured land to command some of the most exquisite inland views within Brettenwood Coastal Estate. This immaculate home is a contemporary masterpiece with a stately appeal. Its expansive open plan living and entertainment areas are primed and ready for those endless summers nights of enjoyment and relaxation.

• 4 Bed (all en-suite)

• Rim flow pool

• Professional landscaping

• Triple Garage

• Inverter technology

• Luxury Fittings and Finishes

NEW LISTING

CONTEMPORARY LIVING

NATURAL WONDER • 3 Spacious bedrooms (2 en-suite) • Double garage • Solar & inverter technology • Study & nursery • Indigenous landscaping • Rim flow pool

Land Freehold homes Luxurious apartments Retirement homes

OFFERED AT R11 500 000

NEW LISTING OFFERED AT R6 290 000

Buy directly from the developer. Land from R1 600 000

• 3 bedrooms • 3.5 bathrooms • Covered patio

• Private clubhouse • Double storey

3 BEDROOM APARTMENT ONLY 2 LEFT

OFFERED AT R4 300 000 NO TRANSFER DUTY

Brettenwood Coastal Estate Sheffield Beach KZN North Coast

Shavaun Lindsay Greg Simmonds Michelle Larkens

072 194 8672 084 515 7464 082 775 3998

T 032 525 4581 E info@brettenwood.co.za W www.brettenwood.co.za

13 NOVEMBER 2016

Neighbourhood

PROPERTY NEWS

3 Suburb focus

Cowies Hill

Jane Linley-Tomas, East Coast Radio DJ, tells us about her neighbourhood WORDS: MEGAN DEANE

About the area M ost will recognise Cowies Hill from the Comrades Marathon, which takes place every year between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. It is a small leafy suburb near Westville, with beautiful natural surroundings, and is ideal for families.

Jane Linley-Thomas, East Coast Radio DJ, has made Cowies Hill her home. “As a child, I grew up in Cowies Hill. The Comrades Marathon setup was definitely a highlight of the year. My dad would wake up at dawn and mow the verge on the side of the Comrades route, where we would set up our trestle tables, complete with snacks, drinks and comradery, which is something Mike (husband) and I now do with our kids; the tradition lives on,” says Jane.

“My mom actually found our home.

Mike and I had been looking for months and thought we had found ‘the one’. My folks checked it out and didn’t feel our passion. In a state of despair, I declared I couldn’t look at one more house and handed the baton over to my mom.

The very next day, she phoned me while I was at work to say she was standing in the driveway of our new home. She sent through a picture and I knew if I didn’t have this home, I would surely die!

Mike and I came to look at it, and I honestly thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest. It was everything we had ever wished for and more, from the wooden floors, parquet staircase and the botanical garden, to the glass stacking-doored sunroom, we knew we were home.”

For Jane, her home is more about what you feel than what you see. “It’s a solid home with light and bright spaces, surrounded by greenery as far as the eye can see. The trees and birdlife in this area are unbelievable.

We painted the exterior grey and added bright red touches by painting the garage door, post box, grill gate on the kitchen door and laundry. Mike and I collect art, music and furniture, so our space is a mix of bright clashing and electric treasure.”

Cowies Hill is in an ideal location, close to a range of topclass amenities. This suburb is

IMAGES: SHANE VAN ECK

centrally situated, making it easy to travel north, south or further west, as the highways (N3, N2 and M13) are easy to access. “We love loading our bikes up and heading for the promenade. Also, a hot and sticky day calls for a rock pool mission down the coast. I love to run, walk and jog 5km with the Chilterton Athletics Club on Tuesday and Thursday evenings,” says Jane.

“Lupa (Westville) is our place.

Mike and I are there once a week for some one-on-one time. You could set your watch to me getting my daily coffee fix as I swoop past Shell Blair Athol on the way to work. As my van pulls in, my coffee is strong, hot and waiting.”

Despite having so many places to go in and around Cowies Hill, Jane spends most of her Sundays at home with her family. “We spend hours in our garden and in the pool. If it’s a cold and miserable day, we drop the blinds on our outside veranda and the Lego box gets hauled out, along with colouring books and playdough. Mike and I love a glass of wine next to our fireplace.”

BEST IN FOOD: THINGS TO DO: • • • • •

Lupa Osteria restaurant RocoMamas Marula’s restaurant Chez Nous family restaurant Woodcutters restaurant

TOP SCHOOLS NEARBY: • • • •

PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING Unit G04, Old Castle Brewery Bldg 6 Beach Road, Woodstock Cape Town, 087 828 0423

EDITORIAL TEAM Group Editor: Claire Barnardo Managing Editor: Charis Le Riche charisl@yourneighbourhood.co.za Editorial Assistant: Molly Fitz-Patrick

Senior Sub-Editor: Mlungisi Mthembu Proofreader: Marana Brand DesignerS: Anja Bramley & Craig D’Oliveira Group Online Editor: Lauren Joubert

Cygnet Pre-Primary School Westville Boys’ High School Westville Girls’ High School Westville Junior Primary School

• Find retail stores, pubs, and the cinema at popular shopping mall, The Pavillion.

• For the health-conscious, there are a choice of fitness centres and clubs to join.

• Enjoy a relaxing day at the Westville Day Spa. • Take a stroll to the local tennis court.

• Visit the library.

• Entertain the kids at Pallet Jack’s.

• The adventurous can explore the trails on foot or mountain bike through Giba Gorge.

• Enjoy the nativity lights and scene along St James.

ADVERTISING SALES: Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za or call 087 828 0423 Sales & Marketing Manager: Michèle Jones michele.jones@thecreativegroup.info Production (Editorial Advertising): Charis Le Riche charisl@yourneighbourhood.co.za Advertising: Julie Ellice kzn@yourneighbourhood.co.za

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PROPERTY NEWS

13 NOVEMBER 2016

Neighbourhood

Suburb focus

Buying in Cowies Hill The monthly bond repayment to purchase a typical property in Cowies Hill, namely a four-bedroom house with the median asking price of R2,55m, is R25,459 per month over 20 years at prime of 10,5% with no deposit.

Cowies Hill Here are the latest property figures for the area

For sale

For rent

Median asking prices

Median monthly asking prices

R2,55m

R2,52m

R1,99m

R1,97m

R13,250

R17,000

R13,380

For a typical property (four-bedroom house)

In a complex

For an apartment

For a house

For a typical rental property (four-bedroom house)

In a complex

For a house

Properties listed

Properties listed Properties listed for sale in Cowies Hill comprise approximately 12% of the total sale listings in the Pinetown area.

12%

Properties listed for rent in Cowies Hill comprise approximately 17% of the total rental listings in the Pinetown area.

17%

Interest

Interest Approximately 12% of the interest (views) in properties for sale in the Pinetown area is attributable to properties listed for sale in Cowies Hill.

Property types

12%

house

comple x

76%

Approximately 10% of the interest (views) in properties for rent in the Pinetown area is attributable to properties listed for rent in Cowies Hill.

10%

apartment

20%

89%

4%

16519/E

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Property types

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SPECIAL PROJECT

13 NOVEMBER 2016

Neighbourhood

A day in the life of a Type 1 diabetic Ever wondered what it’s like to live with diabetes?

Bridget McNulty, editor, Sweet Life diabetes lifestyle magazine, gives us the lowdown WORDS: BRIDGET MCNULTY IMAGE: ISTOCK

7am: Wake up, test blood sugar (with a glucometer – a quick finger prick blood test). This shows whether the long-acting insulin I took the night before has worked properly. If all is well, inject my usual morning dose of long-acting insulin.

and flaxseed (much more delicious than it sounds!) and eat eggs, because protein doesn’t raise my blood sugar.

it has a dramatic effect on blood sugar, so it has to be in small doses and on special occasions.

9.30am: Test my blood sugar to check that I injected the right amount of insulin.

7.30am: Make breakfast and inject short-acting insulin before I start eating. The amount of insulin I take depends on what I’m eating, so I have to count the carbs in everything I eat – and I mean everything. All dairy is carbs, so is all fruit, as well as the expected things like bread and pasta. I generally drink a green juice of spinach, orange

Rest of the morning: No snacking!

Or if I do snack, I need to count the carbs of whatever the snack is and inject the right amount of insulin for it. That means no office birthday cake without an injection, no absent-minded snacking at home, no nibbling on this or that. It can be surprisingly difficult.

12.30pm: Lunch. The same method: count carbs, inject insulin. It’s really important to balance protein and carbs and not to eat too many carbs because that can spike my blood sugar.

I don’t follow a strictly low-carb diet, but I do notice the difference on days when I don’t eat too many carbs – and I know that refined carbs are the devil when it comes to blood sugar control.

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Contrary to popular belief, it is possible for diabetics to eat some sugar, but

2.30pm: Test blood sugar to check I gave the correct dose of insulin. If it’s high, take a correction dose. If it’s low, have something sweet as a snack.

Afternoon: No snacking! Or more injecting. And on exercise days (which should be at least three days a week), more testing and probably a snack before exercising, so that the exertion doesn’t lower my blood sugar.

7pm: Dinner. Test blood sugar, count carbs, inject insulin.

9pm: Test blood sugar before bed, and take injection of long-acting insulin to keep my blood sugar stable through the night – until it’s time to wake up and do it all again!

Of course, this doesn’t take into account all the variables that can be thrown at a diabetic on any given day – hormones, sickness of any description (even a

mild cold), hot weather, cold weather, unexpected amounts of exercise, stress, insulin that has overheated and isn’t working properly, delayed meals for whatever reason, not having time to eat the right kind of food, tiredness, lack of sleep, etc, etc, etc. Nobody ever said being diabetic was boring!

If you want to meet other people with diabetes – and their friends and families – join the Sweet Life community by visiting facebook.com/DiabeticSouthAfricans.

Sweet Life magazine is available for free four times a year from all Dis-Chem clinics nationwide.

2016/10/31 10:50

0285 ACCU_Healthy Times_FA.pdf

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ZIMBALI SUITES

5 Unit Package (Includes 2 x 2 Bedroom + 3 x 1 Bedroom) - R17 000 000-00 Ex. Vat Fully Furnished

PROPOSED 100 UNIT LAND OPTION

UMHLANGA OFFICE

Extent: ±23 000m² R15 500 000-00 Ex. Vat - Queensburgh, Durban

Extent: ±190m² R4 100 000-00 Ex. Vat Umhlanga, Gateway

THE MADISON - LUXURY APARTMENTS

THE MADISON - MEDICAL SUITES

3 Bed 3 Bath Starting From R3 600 000-00 (Incl. Transfer Duty)

Opposite Gateway Hospital Starting From R1 896 980-00 (Incl. Transfer Duty)

Contact Us: +27 31 566 1027 / +27 60 383 8632 africarising@vodamail.co.za - www.africarisinggroup.co.za - www.themadison.co.za

PLATINUM INVESTMENT : THE MADISON A Lifestyle in the Sky …

The property developer that brought you The Grand Floridian, Crystal Rock, The Meridian and The Grand Central, now introduces The Madison A mixed-use development comprising 97 luxury apartments and 23 medical suites.

Situated in the prestigious Parkside area of Umhlanga’s New Town Centre, it continues the well established “live, work, play” lifestyle of this area.

The Madison offers a superb investment opportunity that can be defined by the words, Location, Lifestyle and Luxury.

The residential space is designed to integrate seamlessly without encroaching into the medical suite component, through the provision of separate grand double volume receptions. Other features include a wi-fi zone, fully fitted gym, sauna, swimming pool, a clubhouse, 24 hour security detail and private parking.

OFFICE | 031 566 1027 | 031 566 1030 CELL | 060 383 8632 EMAIL | africarising@vodamail.co.za

13 NOVEMBER 2016

Neighbourhood

My business neighbourhood Ashley Knight, an online business strategist and coach, is equipping business owners with practical tools and skills to grow their income, business and audience in the online space WORDS: MEGAN DEANE IMAGE: SUPPLIED

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roviding online resources for creative entrepreneurs, bloggers and small-business owners, Ashley Knight is the mastermind behind The Ashley Knight Company, as well as the growing Hello Boss Creative, an online community of female entrepreneurs.

Q: How did your business start?

A: With 15 successful years experience within the recruitment space, I started The Ashley Knight Company out of a love for teaching and a strong belief that business owners can have a profitable business that they love. The business consists of both free and paid

PROPERTY NEWS

online courses. I also created Hello Boss Creative, an international online community, bringing creative businesses together.

Q: Why did you choose this area to set up shop?

A: My business is set up from a home office in Morningside/Windermere, with amazing sea views and is just perfectly located among a buzzing and thriving creative community.

Q: How did you find your premises?

A: I was very particular about where in Durban I wanted to set up my home and office. I found this spot through Tyson Properties in Morningside.

Q: Why are the premises ideally suited to your business?

A: A s a creative at heart, I keep inspired by working in coffee shops and flexible workspaces. The Morningside area boasts some of the most amazing spaces to do just that.

Q: Who are your neighbours?

A: That’s the beauty of this area – I have so many neighbours!

It’s truly a buzzing community with loads always happening.

Clifton School is always a hive of activity, Windermere Centre is nearby, and Falafel Fundi recently moved into the area.

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online, as my clients are all over the world, and occasionally I will meet local clients in a coffee shop, perhaps two to three times a month.

Q: Do you have any expansion plans?

A: I do love the idea of having an office set up away from home, but I really am such a homebody. Craig and I are expecting our first baby in February, so there are plans to hire a virtual assistant soon.

Q: Do you operate online as well?

A: Pretty much 90% of my business operates online, with coaching done via Skype or Facebook Messenger, the online community based on Facebook, and all my courses hosted online.

Q: What’s your most popular package?

A: My coaching packages range from 60-minute “pick-mybrain” style sessions, to three, six or 12 weeks of 90-minute, once-a-week, more intensive “Percolate” sessions. The most popular package is the once-off, 90-minute “Espresso” option.

SEE FOR YOURSELF: Q: What are the shop rental/ sales prices like in this area?

A: I have not explored this cost factor recently, as my line of business has no requirement for a set retail space.

Q: What is your business footprint?

A: Most of my consulting is done

The Ashley Knight Company 076 4744 592 theashleyknightcompany.com Hello Boss Creative hellobosscreative.com

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Umhlanga Rocks Morningside

Centenary Park Glen Hills

On Show On Show SoleDual Mandate Mandate

On Show On Show SoleSole Mandate Mandate

Asking PriceR1 R11 executive residence magnificent views. woodblock floors, Asking Price 750650 000.000-00.

The sea Elegant views from this apartment arewith awesome and on sea a clear day Gleaming you can see the Drakensberg wooden doors windows,windows. high lofty Stylish eat indining kitchen so give thatthe youwell-proportioned can entertain while you are and mountains from and the bedroom Theceilings. open plan lounge and room apartment ancooking extra feeling then take your guests to the bar and outdoor entertainment area to really get the party started. There is a self-contained of space. Included is the beautiful kitchen with granite tops and modern bathrooms one of which is en-suite.There are 2 under cover one-bedroom flat above the double garage. The front garden is a separate Erf and could be sold for between R3 million and parking's in the buildings garage and atolarge for all are the waiting toys. This is really stunning!

R3.5 million.

Make an appointment viewstore now,room our sellers forapartment your offers.

Michelle TaylorMaurizio 083 653Dalle-Vedove 3696 083 301 1946

Asking Price In sought of Phoenix this magnificent home comprises ofInside 3 bedrooms, Asking Price R1R2 995595 000.000-00.

Once you descend theafter stairsarea you arrive at the front door of this cute country cottage. you will be1 bathroom, lounge with a beautiful rock feature and an immaculate kitchen with granite tops and intricate down lighted surprised by how much space there actually is.The 4 bedrooms are enhanced by the huge loft area and large living areas that have a ceilings complimented by lush manicured gardens and a stunning guest house cottage which is next to the main home and beautiful view Glen Hills.

Thestunning garden isrenovated well kept and centered a sparkling To top all offdesigned there is afor self-contained completely selfover contained.

This home offersaround a relaxed lifestylepool. which has itbeen easy living.

Granny Honeywill Flat for the 083 extended family or to generate extra income. Michelle Taylor 083 653 3696 Oriana 776 4646

LaEdgecombe Lucia Mount

Umhlanga Rocks La Lucia

On Show OnMandate Show Sole

On Show

View Exclusive

By Appointment Mandate SoleSole Mandate Mandate

Asking Price R3 990 000-00. Set in sought after quiet and sunny location on a prestigious hillside plot with a magnificent Asking Price R995 000. Lovely 3 bedroom loft apartment on the top floor of the sought after Edgecombe Park. Michelle Taylor koi pond at the entrance. This beautiful home includes 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 lounges, and a lovely modern kitchen with 083 653 3696 ceaserstone countertops and quality cabinetry. Oriana Honeywill 083 776 4646

Asking Price R3 500 000-00. Lock-up and go. Beautiful 3 bedroom 2 bathroom tiled unit in sought after Lagoon Drive.

Asking Price R4 500 000. OFFERS FROM R4 500 000. Exquisite finishes and attention to detail. 3 bedrooms and a pyjama lounge or Large open patio with sea views. Tiled garage with shower and basin, communal pool area with braai and lapa. An ideal home study upstairs and a gracious dining room and formal lounge downstairs.There is a TV lounge leading off the lovely kitchen and this is for the young family that wants to live by the beach or a magnificent holiday home located with all the Umhlanga Holiday all introduced to you Dalle by a double volume resorts!!!!!

Maurizio – Vedove 083 entrance 301 1946hall displaying intricate wrought iron hand rail staircase. Asking R4 999 000-00.

Michelle Taylor 083 653 3696

Umhlanga Rocks Umhlanga Rocks

Sheffield Beach Sheffield Beach

View by Appointment View Exclusive

By Appointment Mandate Sole Mandate

Sole Mandate Asking Price R9 500 000-00. Offers from R9500000-00. The glitz and glamour of a Hollywood lifestyle, city and sea views, deckfrom withR9Jacuzzi, sheer indulgence.

Step into this coastal in the bustling Askingsunsets, Price R9sundowner 500 000. Offers 500 000-00.

Thepenthouse glitz and glamour of a Hollywood lifestyle, city and lifestyle sea views,set sunsets, sundowner precinct Umhlanga Rocks. 311 square Step meters secure, living withprecinct flowingof open planRocks. spaces the deck with of Jacuzzi, sheer penthouse indulgence. into of thisultra coastal lifestyleluxury set in the bustling Umhlanga 311enhancing square meters innovative architecture finishes. homethe leaves one breathless. of this Penthouse willleaves go upone by of ultra-secure, luxury livingand withexceptional flowing open plan spacesThis enhancing innovative architectureThe and value exceptional finishes.

This home up to 30%The when The Umhlanga is complete.

The Penthouses in The Oceans Umhlanga for R60in000 breathless. value of Oceans this Penthouse will godevelopment up by up to 30% when The Oceans Umhlanga development is complete.

The sold Penthouses The 000.

Cash in nowsold andformake an offer.

Seller asking R9950000.

Taylor 083 653 3696 Taylor 083 653 3696 Oceans Umhlanga R60 000 000. Cash in now and make an offer.Michelle Seller asking R9 950 000.

Michelle

View by Appointment View Exclusive

By Appointment Mandate Sole Mandate

Sole Asking Price R28 000 000-00. This home, set above the Dolphin Coast’s expansive Sheffield Beach hasMandate 240 degree panoramic sea views.

TheThis ultimate “Beach is privately positioned andBeach is awe-inspiring. designed with Asking Price R28 000 000. home, set aboveHouse” the Dolphin Coast's expansive Sheffield has 240 degreeArchitecturally panoramic sea views.

The ultimate proportions are a positioned match forand theis rugged coastline and displaying interior the moment "Beach House"that is privately awe-inspiring.

Architecturally designedsophisticated with proportions that aredetailing.From a match for the rugged coastlineyou and displaying interior4 detailing.

From the moment youa walk this of 4 bedroom, bathroom utopia you feelluxury a true and senseutility. of seamless walk intosophisticated this 4 bedroom, bathroom utopia you feel trueinto sense seamless4 integration between This integration between luxury utility.This home engulfs youand withimpresses its multi-sensory experience and attention impresses you withdetail the sharp to fine home engulfs you with itsand multi-sensory experience you with the sharp to fine andattention composition. detailare andproud composition.

Wethis are proud to offer this FULLY FURNISHED home for by appointment only. Michelle Taylor083 083 653 We to offer FULLY FURNISHED home for viewing byviewing appointment only. Michelle Taylor 6533696.

3696

www.sothebysrealty.co.za • umhlanga@sothebysrealty.co.za 20 Solstice Road, Gateway, Umhlanga Rocks

Durban North & Umhlanga 031 566 5150 Each office is Independently Owned and Operated

13 NOVEMBER 2016

Neighbourhood

PROPERTY NEWS

15

Building for the future

A beautiful garden in a drought?

There’s little doubt that an appealing garden adds rand to the resale price of your house.

But as the drought bites harder, beauty has become the beast, and gardens need a rethink.

WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER IMAGE: ISTOCK

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Tips for summer rainfall regions

Choose a lawn type which is dormant in winter – it will need little to no water in that season.

Wait until the end of the dry winter season before you top-dress, aerate and fertilise, because once fertiliser is applied, the lawn needs watering.

Summer rains will do it naturally.

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rospective buyers want goodlooking gardens. Looking at research, one US study found that attractive landscaping and wellmaintained gardens added between 6% and 11% to property values. UK research suggests it could be as much as 20%.

Given the love that South Africans have for their gardens, clearly they matter.

But today, with the drought, prospective homeowners want a good-looking garden, but one which can be maintained with minimal water, manageable water bills, and a community attitude towards water usage. Bottom line, you may have to banish your English country garden for a smart and good-looking South African one.

The English concept of rolling lawns is part and parcel of the privileged South African homeowner’s garden, but as the British move into smaller spaces, a tiny courtyard is a luxury, and their “lawns” are largely found in parks.

We live differently, even though the trend here, too, is increasingly towards smaller properties and denser living.

But in a drought, lawns are a huge nono because they can’t survive without regular water. That’s fine for the new build where you have choices of plants, paving and alternative surfaces, but it’s not quite so easy for those who have water-hungry green expanses.

There are two ways to reduce a lawn’s dependence on water, and it doesn’t take much more than a little elbow grease.

A well-aerated lawn can reduce its water needs by up to 50%. And it couldn’t

be simpler. Get yourself a garden fork or a designer aeration fork and penetrate the soil to provide channels so that water and nutrients can travel easier and faster to the roots. The water is more easily absorbed and soil becomes more friable – in other words, vital nutrients, water, fertiliser and pesticides can move through loose soil more easily. Aerated lawns are also more weed-resistant because the grass grows faster and more densely. Deep root growth results in a stronger, more drought-resistant lawn. And it won’t cost you a cent.

Also watch how you cut the lawn.

Make sure your blades are sharp, so you slice – not tear – the grass. Cleanly cut grass uses water more efficiently.

Mow frequently but cut at a higher level than usual to encourage deep root growth and build drought tolerance.

Another inexpensive way to conserve water is mulching. Mulch is any substance placed on the soil’s surface around plants to prevent moisture from escaping. It’s one of the easiest ways to save water. You can use organic or inorganic mulch. Organic comes from plant and animal sources, so it can be anything from compost, grass cuttings, and pine needles, to fruit pips, autumn leaves and shredded newspaper. Organic material is best, because it breaks down and provides nutrition for the soil. Inorganic material is anything that does not break down, like gravel, pebbles and stones.

These two easy and inexpensive ways can reduce your garden’s water needs by over 50%! So, roll up your sleeves.

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t the prestigious 2015/2016 AfriSam-SAIA (South African Institute of Architects) Awards for Sustainable Architecture + Innovation, held in the Silo precinct next to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (a project supported by AfriSam), there was a tangible feeling of hope as video footage introduced each of the finalists.

“These projects all make the world a better place by minimising their impact on the environment,” said Richard Tomes, sales and marketing executive, AfriSam. “They also bear the hallmarks of great architectural and social design.

Together they represent the very best in sustainable architecture and innovation.”

Three main criteria – regeneration, reconciliation and restoration – governed the judges’ final selection, and the winners

were divided into four categories.

In the Sustainable Architecture category, three projects were awarded: • DEA Building by Boogertman + Partners Architects • Gorgeous Green House by Sagnelli Associate Architects • Oudebosch Camp Kogelberg

by Architecture Co-op “The awards are a resounding endorsement of sustainable and innovative design practice in the South African built environment,” said Kevin Bingham, awards convenor and SAIA vice president.

The adjudicators of the 2015/2016 AfriSam-SAIA Award for Sustainable Architecture + Innovation were Kevin Bingham (convener), Daniel Irurah, Llewellyn van Wyk, Sebasti Badenhorst, Eric Noir and Richard Stretton.

Our first office was a converted double garage – there are various wonderful stories about entrepreneurs around the world who started in their fathers’ garages – and we did so with very small property acquisitions, and constructing single residential dwellings. We were very fortunate to manage to grow capital and expand.

JAMES WILSON, CEO, AMDEC (A NATIONAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY)

50% of HNWIs in Gauteng

A

s South Africa’s economic powerhouse, Gauteng remains home to half of the country’s high net worth individuals (HNWIs), and they continue to support the upper end of the residential property market in the province, which remains surprisingly resilient despite slow national economic indicators. This is according to Rupert Finnemore, MD, Pam Golding Properties Gauteng.

“New World Wealth noted in its Wealthiest City in the World report published recently that Joburg remains the city with the largest number of US dollar millionaires in South Africa with some 17,600 out of a total of 40,400 nationally,” says Finnemore. “Pretoria has a further 2,600, which means that Gauteng is home to exactly half of South Africa’s high net worth individuals.”

He says, “These figures are not surprising, as we continue to see high levels of investment and growth across a number of centres in Gauteng, including the ‘Golden Mile’ of Sandton, which remains the undisputed financial capital of South Africa.”

Finnemore says that median house prices in the super-luxury residential property market have generally exceeded inflation during the past decade and Pam Golding Properties continues to observe ongoing interest in this level of the market, and particularly in freehold homes in traditionally upmarket suburbs.

Sectional title apartment properties in areas such as central Sandton and homes in luxury estates are also proving increasingly popular.

City of Cape Town hands over rental stock

T

he City of Cape Town’s key handover to 195 beneficiaries recently marks the completion of the 349-unit rental stock housing project in Scottsdene.

This project was, among others, designed to accommodate beneficiaries with special needs and ramps have been installed to ensure that the property is more easily accessible.

Councillor Benedicta van Minnen, Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, says, “We are very proud to be handing over the remaining 195 rental units to our beneficiaries today. The determination to see the completion of this project through, despite the challenges, demonstrates the commitment of the City and its partners to ensuring that our beneficiaries have access to dignified homes and services.”

This new Community Residential Unit project forms part of the Scottsdene rental estate in Kraaifontein – a large integrated housing development which has been driven by the City, the National Department of Human Settlements, and the Western Cape government’s Human Settlements Department.

The development will provide 2,200 housing opportunities, including fully subsidised homes, City rental stock, and affordable market rental units.

The Scottsdene rental estate project recently scooped a top award for the Best Social Housing Project at the Western Cape Govan Mbeki Awards hosted by the provincial Department of Human Settlements, where the City received recognition for some of its key projects completed over the last year.

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