A fervent desire to reduce both monthly costs and traffic-congested travel times while residing in conveniently situated nodes has given rise to the ongoing success of the live-work-play lifestyle in South Africa.

The total wealth held in Africa rose by a modest 14% over the past 10 years (2008-2018) with three of the largest economies on the continent, South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria performing poorly on most economic indicators according to the AfrAsia Africa Wealth Report 2019, released today by Mauritius based AfrAsia Bank.

This years’ “women’s month” was nothing short of an oxymoron with horrific acts of violence towards women and children, both highlighting the extent of the problem and the need for the country to take continue to a stand and work together to protect society’s most vulnerable.

The R155 million first phase of the new Sky City Mall, catering for the residents of Waterval, Palm Ridge and Kathlehong some 35km south east of Johannesburg in Gauteng’s Ekurhuleni Metro, is trading well since opening its doors to scores of shoppers on 18 April.

A survey recently carried out by the respected property analysts, Lightstone, has revealed a range of statistics that will be of interest to anyone keeping track of property trends in South Africa today, says Rowan Alexander, Director of Alexander Swart Property, the Cape Town estate agency headquartered at Brackenfell.

As anticipated, the MPC kept the repo rate steady, taking a conservative approach against the backdrop of rising fuel prices, and with a wary eye on CPI inflation, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

Sectional Title schemes and other community housing developments should be taking steps as fast as they can now to ensure that residents have access to electricity and water supplies in the coming months.

The National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) has deregistered seventeen (17) contractors and builders from its database of approved homebuilders following the outcome of the disciplinary hearing processes.

With inflation currently below the mid-point of the Reserve Bank’s inflation target and economic growth remaining sluggish, the Monetary Policy Committee kept the repo rate steady at 6.75%, as expected.

One thing is certain, apart from the overall inflationary impact, the spiralling cost of fuel directly impacts on the demand for conveniently situated, sectional title property in key economic hubs – close to the workplace, schools and all amenities.