Letter from the editor

A PANDEMIC, lockdowns, and unrest. South Africans have lived through a lot recently, so a slowdown in the property market, as indicated by bond originators, is almost inevitable

However, in the words of my late and beloved colleague Alan Simonds, the one thing people will always still need after the dust has settled is a place to live.

We have seen some kneejerk reactions in the past week of people wanting to emigrate but many more South Africans, from all walks of life, are here to stay, come what may, and are driven to build a more inclusive future for all.

The Government has, over the years, made some options available to the lower-end of the market to help them access property including Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Program (FLISP) for the gap market. Low interest rates also means that owning a home is more accessible and bond originators certainly saw an uptake with applications last year.

In times of gloom, one only has to talk to the property industry, in which our bond originators play such a vital part, to be cheered up.

The industry is ever optimistic, highlighting South Africans’ resilience and sense of Ubuntu.

Before adjusted lockdown level 4, I met briefly with Carl Coetzee, chief executive of Betterbond, one of the country’s biggest originators. At the time, he believed there would still be a good-news property story to tell.

Knowing his optimism, something that is shared by the industry, I suspect his story will remain the same, despite what we have faced in recent weeks.

In times of disquiet and troubles, I always say let’s take on the optimism of the property industry, and know there can be a better tomorrow for all.

Warm regards

Vivian Warby

vivian.warby@inl.co.za