No other country has been more central to the changing tides of modern history than South Africa since apartheid ended in the early 1990s. It now seems incredible that such a thing existed not too long ago, although admittedly it has not been a path of roses since the formation of the new republic of South Africa, it is also fair to say that the country has shown a maturity and willingness to move forward that has exceeded expectations. Much praise for this must, of course, go to Nelson Mandela who, even when he stepped down as president in 1999, has remained a figurehead for positive and peaceful progress.
So now that the great man has retired from public service, what can we expect from visiting tourists and those thinking of investing in modern South Africa?
South Africa has always been known as ‘the jewel of Africa’. On a continent known for its lush wildlife and stunning scenery, this is not an easy title to maintain. However, it is the fact that South Africa offers so much that makes it so popular. The country has a world-class infrastructure with modern highways, trains, buses and internal flights that facilitate travel. South Africa is also known for having more than 3,500 kilometers of paradise coastline, more than 20 national parks and a variety of World Heritage sites. All this, wonderful weather, and so many activities to keep the hard-to-please smiling all day, from scuba diving to cultural sights and trails, golf, great food and wine, it’s easy to see why this country has become so popular.
There is so much to see in this great country, such as the western coast, with pristine beaches and an epic mountain range, this is a great destination to experience charming old fishing villages and the best seafood in South Africa. Nature is always abundant here, with the West Coast Spring gushing with glorious carpets of flowers covering the ground, a favorite with hikers, as is bird and whale watching.
The Elephant Coast stretches from Lake Saint Lucia, a recognized World Heritage Site, to the south of Kosi Bay. This is a beautiful wilderness, an untamed area that is becoming increasingly popular with those seeking extraordinary geology and ecosystems, along with a taste of adventure. There are two world-famous parks here, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park (with more than 1,500 white rhinos) and iSimangaliso Wetland Park. In this region you will find pristine wetlands populated with birds and the largest group of native African elephants in the country.
For those looking for South Africa off the beaten track, there are plenty of other amazing destinations worth mentioning. Namaqualand is known to be one of the most beautiful places in the world when it transforms in spring from a barren landscape to a sea of vivid wildflowers.
The battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal will be of interest to history buffs as it is home to the historic wars of the British, Boers and Zulu. Known as the home of some of the bloodiest battles including the Battle of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, immortalized in the classic 1964 film Zulu. This is a beautiful land with a serene landscape.
Drakensberg (meaning Dragon Mountain in Afrikaans) is the wild west of South Africa. An impressive mountain chain, with peaks that exceed 3,400 meters. The range forms a border between the Kingdom of Lesotho and the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Drakensberg is known for its flora, fishing, climbing, horse riding, rafting, hiking and the second highest waterfall in the world, the impressive 850 meter Tugela Falls. This is a great place to vacation as excellent vacation destinations, hotels and resorts can be found here.
For wine lovers, the Cape vineyards of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are the place to be. The wine tours take place along the best wine estates in South Africa, outings that involve experiencing the inspiring views of the surrounding Cape Town with its mountains and valleys. Coupled with the wine production of these wine lands that has gained great worldwide recognition, it makes this a popular vacation choice for those seeking some of the best wine the country has to offer.
The Cape Peninsula is known for its world-class beaches and the mountains that surround it. This part of the country is one of its most popular vacation destinations, with tourists from all over the world coming here and giving it a very cosmopolitan feel. With the country’s capital Cape Town leading the way and the rich and diverse land that surrounds it, there is much to enjoy in this part of the country alone. Unsurprisingly, the city itself is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. A fun, lively, sociable and sporty city, this is a place you should never miss when you visit this country that has more than its fair share of impressive sights.
The wonderful diversity that South Africa offers is what attracts more and more tourists every year throughout the year. How many other countries in the world can offer world-class infrastructure, unbridled wilderness, some of the best beaches in the world, fantastic cities, and great weather all rolled into one? As such, South Africa is also fast becoming a major destination for buyers looking to invest.
Two- and three-bedroom houses can be purchased from €100,000, depending on the location and type of construction. Independent villas can be found from a very competitive starting price, with three beds from €120,000. If you are thinking of buying property in South Africa, it is of course advisable to do some research on the process of buying property in the country; however, foreign nationals have been investing in property in South Africa for many years and the business is well established.
Some helpful buying tips to keep in mind:
• There are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in South Africa. Although there is a sophisticated land registration system that makes freehold common and leasing the least common concept.
• Real estate in South Africa is known as ‘real estate’.
• There are transfer fees that must be paid. The current transfer rights are R25,000 for properties between R500,000 and R1,000,000 and R25,000 + an additional 8% of the value above R1m for properties above R1,000,000.
• If purchased off-plan, transfer fees are usually waived.
• Area is everything in South Africa. Making sure you are buying in a good, secure location is of greater importance than the size and style of the property and should come first in the decision process.
• Although foreign nationals can buy real estate in South Africa, it does not follow automatically that foreign nationals can also buy the right to extract minerals from that real estate.
• The South African government recognizes the autonomy of some tribes in certain areas. Once you have found the correct region in which you would like to search for a property, it is advisable to ensure that you check whether the property falls under this jurisdiction and, if so, ensure that your legal representation is capable, as it will be necessary to know many different local variants. necessary to ensure a successful purchase.
