Neighbourhood 2 DECEMBER 2018
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
New horizons Regardless of trying economic times, a variety of new developments is still popping up on the KZN skyline, page 2
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PROPERTY NEWS
2 DECEMBER 2018
Neighbourhood
Suburb focus
Hot properties Throughout this year, KwaZulu-Natal has seen an inordinate number of developments rising – not only single residential developments, but also entire new precincts coming to life, often ignited by commercial, tourism or industrial drivers WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER
IMAGES: SUPPLIED & SHUTTERSTOCK
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LUSH
he KZN skyline is etched with massive cranes as developers sculpt new landscapes. As expected, the KZN North Coast’s growth – prompted by Umhlanga’s burgeoning new city status, the King Shaka International Airport, Dube Tradeport and the Aerotropolis – is clearly reflected in the surge of property developments. According to Stefan Botha, Rainmaker Marketing, statistics show that “of the R2,7bn transfers in the last 12 months on the North Coast, 80% were within premium gated estates. Gated estates within Ballito are currently seeing capital appreciation of 11% per annum”. Proximity to an international airport clearly plays a role, and with the addition of the new direct British Airways Durban to London flight thrice weekly, tourism is also scheduled for lift-off.
Infrastructure For development, infrastructure is key. Five years in the making, the new M41/N2 interchange around Mount Edgecombe features a multi-stack bridge (one of SA’s biggest structures) and four levels with no signalisation, and is designed to provide non-stop access to the Verulam, Phoenix, Mount Edgecombe, uMhlanga Ridge town centre and the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. Aside from easing severe traffic congestion, it’s destined to unlock significant development opportunities planned for the North Coast. Sanral Eastern Region project manager Corné Roux deems it “a significant business enabler”.
NTSHONGWENI URBAN & RETAIL CORE
The city’s integrated public transport network, GO!Durban, will go live next year with the opening of the first route or corridor that runs from the Pinetown CBD to KwaMashu’s Bridge City. The network, which comprises eight road routes of dedicated bus lanes and one rail route from Bridge City, KwaMashu via Durban’s CBD and south to Isipingo and Umlazi, will fundamentally change the way in which people move
around the city, opening up spaces and places which have been difficult to access in the past. Construction of two more routes will begin soon.
Precincts Tongaat Hulett Development (THDev) continues to release parcels of land for mixed-use developments within meticulously designed precincts. On the North Coast, Sibaya Coastal Precinct is well underway, Tinley (North Coast), is undergoing approvals, and the Ntshongweni Urban Development, Outer West, will begin construction next year. Sibaya Coastal Precinct, bordering Umdloti, has seen massive growth, with numerous high-end developments offering a wide range of accommodation types. To name the forerunners: Saxony Sibaya, Balize Private Estate, Lush at Elaleni, and Apex in the Gold Coast Estate. At Sheffield Beach, there’s Zululami (developers: Collins Residential), Moyana Zululami and The Reserve Zululami. A few kilometres from Ballito, is a family-oriented, petfriendly estate Ballito Groves; The Peak, the second phase of Izinga Hills; Summer Park in Parkside, within Umhlanga Ridge town centre; and Enigma Private Estate in Umhlanga. THDev’s Tinley Town is identified as one of KZN’s catalytic beach resort developments. Michael Deighton, CEO, THDev, says, “Acting as an economic driver, Tinley will undoubtedly transform the region where real estate and other economic growth opportunities will soar.” Four significant international resort operators have expressed interest in operating a new, international beach resort on the site – the first of its kind in Southern Africa. About 20km west of the Port of Durban, Ntshongweni Urban Development is
2 DECEMBER 2018
Neighbourhood
PROPERTY NEWS
strategically positioned on the N3, the corridor linking Durban to Gauteng and the Free State. This 2,000ha mixeduse development will undoubtedly bring substantial economic benefits to the entire region, particularly for the logistics sector. Construction will span 15 to 20 years, with the first precinct, Urban Core, beginning early next year. The first phase, The Mall of the West (85,000m2) will begin late next year, with completion expected early 2022. Nicola Muir, spokesperson, Fundamentum Asset Managers (mall developers), says, “The Mall of the West will follow a concept plan similar to uMhlanga’s successful Gateway Theatre of Shopping and is at the forefront of building a whole new town to the west of Durban.”
Durban as a port
SHORELINE SIBAYA
Clearly, north is not the only direction on the KZN compass – the west is burgeoning as well. Durban is home to Africa’s busiest seaport, the southern hemisphere’s biggest and best-equipped container terminal, and is strategically positioned on the world’s shipping lanes. Growth in the outer west is dominated by the logistics potential. Cato Ridge Logistics Hub Consortium (Pty) Ltd is the developers of the inland port or “back of port expansion” at Cato Ridge on the road corridor between Durban and Gauteng. This, the N3 freeway, forms part of South Africa’s Strategic Integrated Project (one of the government’s national priority projects). Warwick Lord, CEO, Cato Ridge Logistics Hub Consortium (Pty) Ltd, says, “Durban has by far the biggest, busiest and most efficient port in Africa. The city suffers from a lack of quality logistics and industrial space due to constraints of the sea on one side, and the Durban city on the other. All of the studies conducted, point at Cato Ridge as one of the ideal locations because of the convergence of rail, road and pipeline. “Here, with the proposed new Cato Ridge interchange on the N3, you will have a convergence of three
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forms of transport (intermodal) – it’s not just rail or truck in and rail and truck out, it’s convergence between rail, road and pipeline.” In a nutshell, when the containers or bulk products land at the port, they are railed to Cato Ridge, and from there, they’re stored and/or disseminated. The opposite will also take place for port-bound products coming from the hinterlands. Cato Ridge is the perfect location for a truck stop and staging facility from Gauteng, because the trucks can do the return journey in a day.
Tourism There’s a very strong drive in KZN for tourism-related development, with R39bn worth of developments in the pipeline – the largest slice of the pie is the Durban Point precinct development, currently underway with the R300m promenade development. The final product will include everything from hotels, office parks, retail and residential properties, and a new cruise ship terminal, valued at R215m.
Retirement After years of a dearth of retirement accommodation, there’s now a surge of over-50s developments throughout KZN. Evergreen Lifestyle is expanding into KwaZulu-Natal, and will build 750 units in Zimbali, 640 in Umhlanga and 458 in Hilton. The first residents of these villages are expected to take occupation in late 2020. With a decade’s experience building retirement villages, Evergreen Lifestyle is backed by industry giants Amdec and financial services company PSG. Evergreen operates on the life-rights model. Sectional-title, over-50s developments Shoreline Sibaya is a contemporary lifestyle coastal development within the Sibaya precinct. Mount Edgecombe Retirement Village within the Kindlewood Estate precinct offers all the Kindlewood amenities to residents; and in Padfield Park, Greenhaven Estate is offering attractive retirement units with appealing price points.
Station Drive beckoned and Sonia
relocated to Sonia’s home,
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1 Belgrave Crescent, Durban North,
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crowd looking for something
weekends, where one can expect
quirky, original and unique.
personalised service, advice and gift-wrapping in a delightfully
Owned by South African creative
so in awe by the talent of South
Sonia also began hosting an
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annual Divine Open Day in 2013
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art, gifts, décor and more, Shoppe
Durbanites inspired her to source
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launched at the Market restaurant
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precinct in 2012, the perfect
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for a three-day period.
Sonia’s Divine open day on FB.
Vosloo experienced the Design
In 2016, the development of the
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Indaba in Cape Town. She was
vibrant creative community in
customer’s needs, Shoppe has now
ambient space, after owner Sonia
tranquil setting with ample parking.
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PROPERTY NEWS
2 DECEMBER 2018
Neighbourhood
My business neighbourhood M
Whether you’re a fan of gel, acrylic or normal paint, having perfectly manicured nails is an instant confidence booster WORDS: TIVANIA MOODLEY
IMAGES: SUPPLIED
ichelle Brider followed her passion for beauty therapy and opened the Miss Moo Nails Salon to offer clients trendy treatments and feel-good services. Q: How did your business start? A: I was a teacher, and in 2015 decided to do a nail art course to make some extra money on the side. A few months in, I discovered I really enjoyed being a nail technician and I decided to quit my teaching job. Miss Moo Nails was opened officially in 2016 to pursue my passion. Q: Why did you choose this area to set up shop? A: I started the salon from my house in Hatton Estate. When things got busy enough to need bigger premises, I knew I had to stay in the area because it’s very central, and so opened up my salon at the Valiant Park in Pinetown. Q: How did you find your premises? A: I was fortunate to have a space at the business park become available at the same time I needed to expand, and I jumped on it. Q: Why are they ideally suited to your business? A: It falls within my operating area and is central and close to all major highways, making it easy for clients to get to us. Valiant Park has ample parking and is secure.
Q: Who are your neighbours? A: Within the business park there’s a bed shop, insurance brokers and estate agents. Q: What are the shop rental/sales prices like in this area? A: I pay R8,000 a month for my space. Q: How many people go through your store each day? A: I have six nail technicians who all see at least six people a day. Q: Do you have any expansion plans? A: R ight now, I am focussed on getting the services and products optimised before I expand, but I would love to turn the business into a franchise one day. Q: Do you operate online as well? A: I have an active Instagram account and Facebook page (@missmoonails). Q: What’s your most popular item? A: We do gel overlays the most. We also have a small section where we sell a wide variety of retail products which are received really well.
SEE FOR YOURSELF: Miss Moo Nails Salon 084 333 3778 facebook.com/missmoonails
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PROPERTY NEWS
2 DECEMBER 2018
Neighbourhood
Homegrown Growing your own veg is no longer the sole province of those in gumboots on smallholdings. Welcome to the world of hydroponics. WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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here are so many reasons why we should be growing our own veg, and no excuses any more as to why we can’t. Take Urban Organics’s system – it works best in confined spaces, so balconies, patios, back gardens or even blank walls are ideal. Aaron and Jeff Cullis are Urban Organics. Their goal is to implement a hydroponic system into as many schools as humanly possible, while simultaneously educating children on the importance of farming, and how easy it is. Aaron says, “I was never a green-thumb, but mastered hydroponics in under a few months. Anybody can succeed.” He adds, “Hydroponics is an ancient method… think about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, or even the Aztecs’ Chinampas which were floating gardens.”
growing medium that serves as a ‘middle man’ to successfully pass water and food minerals to the plant’s roots, and to keep the plant stable and upright. By supplying plant roots with an unlimited source of the same recycled water repeatedly – and by adding a plant nutrient to the water – the plant has all it needs to grow,” he says.
Water wise
The Cullis couple spent four years experimenting and testing their method, so as to create the perfect domestic or residential system. “Our systems are NFT (nutrient film technique), which is one of the main methods of hydroculture. In a nutshell, it means water flows around a system 24/7 (with the added nutrient) to a main tank which houses a submersible pump that supplies the system with that same nutrient water, over and over.”
First and foremost, the Urban Organics method uses 90% to 95% less water than any other method. So, drought or no drought, water isn’t an issue. This saving is made possible because of the constant circulation of the same water – you can use tap water, borehole water or even rain water.
Hydroponics for dummies
Aaron explains its principles, “Hydroponics is the art of growing plants without soil. Plants don’t need soil and natural light to grow. Soil is a
Negotiating with negligent neighbours
M
uch like how that one scuffed dining-room chair will lower the value of the whole set, one unkept property will drag down the prices of all the surrounding homes. Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO, Re/max of Southern Africa, warns that as thorough as you might have been in your suburb research before purchasing your current home, living next to a negligent neighbour can happen to anyone at any point in time. Says Kim Peacock, broker/owner, Re/max Dolphin Realtors, “It’s very difficult when a neighbour fails to maintain their property to a certain standard. You can request that a neighbour takes certain steps to neaten up their property, but there’s very little one can do to force their hand – especially when the property is situated on a freehold erf. Having said that, if a property is situated in a lifestyle estate, it’s easy to take action as there are rules and guidelines in place to which each and every homeowner must adhere. You simply would need to report the property in question to the homeowners’ association (HOA) who would ensure proper maintenance takes place.” For those who do not own property in a lifestyle estate governed by an HOA or body corporate, Re/max of Southern Africa has compiled a few diplomatic approaches to dealing with negligent neighbours:
1 Be neighbourly
Don’t be too hasty in your anger against your neighbour. You might not know what could have happened to cause their house to
stand derelict. Approach them and show some neighbourly concern for the sudden change in the appearance of their home and find out if there’s any way you could help.
ake the straight 2 Tforward approach
Diplomacy is key in this approach. Nobody wants animosity to exist between themselves and their neighbours. If you approach them calmly, kindly explaining the situation and requesting that they tidy up the exterior of their home (at least while your home is on the market), you might find that they were unaware of the effect they were having and would be happy to oblige. Of course, it’s also likely that they simply don’t care how the appearance of their home affects you. However, you won’t know unless you ask.
3 Drop not-so-subtle hints If you’re not the type who is comfortable in engaging in direct confrontation, you could find an opportunity to chat to them and strategically mention that you know a great garden service or cleaning professional with whom you’d be happy to put them in touch. If the appearance of their home really bugs you, and your home is currently on the market, you could offer to pay to get the exterior fixed up for them.
It’s possible that your neighbour won’t turn down the free offer, and, while it might cost you a couple of hundred (or thousand depending on the extent of the damage) to hire some professionals for them, it could save you tens of thousands in terms of the resale value of your own property.
What about light? “Because of lighting technology, the sun’s spectrum has been imitated as a light bulb/LED, and can be used indoors for plants to grow successfully in a dark room. This gives the grower the advantage of growing any crop all year round, regardless of the season. This is made possible by controlling the climate indoors and by supplying it with the ever popular ‘grow light’.”
How to get started
You’ll need a 220V plug point, and a
water source. Once the system is in circulation, all you need is to plant seedlings in a net pot, add their specially-formulated nutrient and just wait for your plants to grow! You need to check water levels in the tank every two to three days, add nutrient to the tank once a week, and check plants five minutes a day to ensure they’re all looking healthy.
Is South Africa lagging behind?
“Countries like America have implemented hydroponics in schools countrywide to educate children on the importance of being able to grow your own food, as well as identifying plants successfully,” says Aaron. “Over one million American households have some form of hydroculture or permaculture in their back yards to self-provide. Populated Asian countries have implemented hydroponics on a large scale as land is hard to come by, and dense city residents are forced to have roof gardens which supply households and families within.” There’s no better time than now to implement hydroponics in South Africa – our water security is at risk, poverty is on the rise, and growing your own veg is very satisfying and even fun. It’s an important lesson for children, too. “Hydroponics and aquaponics have to be the future of growing,” says Aaron.
Landlords: how to survive the recession A
lthough rental demand rises during an economic decline, rental rates come under pressure. This means landlords will need to relook their rental price expectations. Seeff provides a few tips for landlords.
However frustrating the economic climate may be, it’s important to consider that it’s better to fill your
property at a lower rental than to let it stand empty. Your profit margin may be a bit lower and while not the ideal position that you would want to be in, at least you’re still earning rental returns. An important consequence of a weak economy, is that it puts pressure on household budgets and the amount that they can afford to pay for a rental house. There’s little to gain
by a landlord who sticks to a high rental rate or escalations that are out of step with the economy as this may prove unsustainable. The likely outcome of sticking to high rental rates or hiking your rate by an above inflation escalation, is that you’ll end up with tenants who are unable to continue paying the high rental amount. Once a tenant goes into arrears, it often becomes very difficult to recover from that. Another characteristic of a recession, is rising vacancy periods. You’ll find that tenants will opt for smaller and cheaper units to relieve some of the pressure on their budgets. Empty rental properties are a financial burden and while one month may not seem like much, it can quickly become two or three months or more. Aside from ensuring that you set your rental rate according to the prevailing market conditions, you should also consider incentivising good calibre tenants with a discount on the rent. Finding good tenants who will look after your property is a challenge during any time, more so during a recession. You should always look after good tenants. Like economic cycles, property markets go through cycles, but at some future point, the rental market will hopefully again improve to the extent that rates will rise again. In the meantime, good strategic thinking can ensure that you’re at least still earning some rental income while your property is being looked after and continues to improve in value.
2 DECEMBER 2018
Neighbourhood
ADVERTORIAL
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‘P’ is for Pietermaritzburg… and Pâtisserie! Pietermaritzburg is about to enjoy memorable moments of pure indulgence…
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ietermaritzburg has lots to be excited about. Not only is it known as the City of Flowers for its azaleas and roses, and because it’s the site of one of the country’s national botanical gardens, but it’s also the chosen city for the next, brandnew Château Gâteaux Pâtisserie! With 12 patisseries located across the country, this popular, decadent dessert company is about to open the doors of its latest store in the Liberty Midlands Mall. For 21 years the skilled Château Gâteaux pastry team have been hand-crafting their exquisite, superior range of quality gateaux and desserts, using the most exceptional ingredients available. To this end, when you purchase a Château Gâteaux masterpiece, you can expect to indulge in a product bursting with flavour made from the finest fresh cream, chocolate, fruits and nuts.
Château Gâteaux Pâtisserie customers can choose from a wide range of exceptional products to take home and enjoy with family and friends. Or they can create memorable, special moments at the patisserie, where they’ll indulge in scrumptious cold and hot desserts, savoury treats and some of the finest coffee around. Château Gâteaux’s superb coffee is supported by a range of exotic teas, hot chocolate and superior-quality, natural fruit juices. Highly trained baristas are on hand to create the ultimate coffee experience for true coffee connoisseurs. Entertaining is effortless with Château Gâteaux and, while some may find the idea of an exceptional quality frozen gateau with an 8- to 12-month shelflife astonishing, the skilled team have perfected the art of sealed-in freshness through their unique fresh-to-frozen process. This means you can store
your frozen take-home, 12- or 8-slice gourmet gateau in the freezer at home and defrost at your convenience to its original and exceptional state. You could say, it’s a case of “frozen to fabulous” as and when you need it. The retained flavour and quality never cease to amaze! In fact, every gateau in the patisserie has been frozen – even the ones you enjoy right there. Try it and prepare to be amazed.
EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF: Château Gâteaux Pâtisserie Shop 71, Liberty Midlands Mall (Entrance 3) Facebook: @ChateauGateauxSA Instagram: @chateau_gateaux chateaugateaux.co.za
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