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South Africa hits the big time

Catherine Deshayes

South Africa is a kaleidoscope of stunning shorelines, vineyards set amidst dramatic mountain ranges, and game parks where elephants, lions and rhino roam under savannah skies...

Post-apartheid, the country is focusing on sustaining economic growth, and whilst remaining some of the lowest in the world, average house prices have trebled since 1998.

The 2010 World Cup has kicked off a new wave of interest in the country and the new international airport will entice more visitors and potential property investors. Despite ongoing concerns about South Africa's political stability, the Government is continuing to invest heavily in infrastructure ahead of the World Cup.

We've all heard of the merits of Cape Town, but Durban, in the Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) region on the North coast, is one of the unexplored jewels on the South African property crown.

Often compared to Miami Beach, the city's Golden Mile is juxtaposed with the kind of cosmopolitan and cultural twist Miami could only dream of. The thriving Port and city centre shimmer in the subtropical haze, fading by early evening as the sun dips behind the Drakensburg Mountains. 

There has been much investment in Durban over the last few years, and this new development, which is to be the country's biggest international development ever, looks set to push Durban even further onto the map.

The £2.8 billion development, called Amazulu World, will be an entertainment theme park with residential villas, hotels, nature reserve and marina, set on 16,500 hectares on the north coast of Durban. It is close to the £500 million brand new King Shaka International Airport, and will be built in phases over 25 years.

Amazulu is being built by Dubai based developer Ruwaad. Hayan Merchant, Group Chief Executive of Ruwaad, says, "There is a lot of potential in the South Africa, as it not only offers an excellent year-round climate and some of the world's most outstanding natural beauty, but recent developments in the country have been pushing it to become one of the strongest emerging markets in the world."

 "When complete it will be Africa's largest shopping destination, Africa's most comprehensive and advanced sports village development, Africa's largest lifestyle community and Africa's first dedicated education and health village," Mr Merchant added. 

South African agent Pam Golding's Managing Director Joop Demes, said, "South Africa and KZN must go out of their way to secure this development, which is unparalleled both in its stature and magnitude.

"This will put KZN on the global tourism and property map. To put it into context, this development will be several times the investment made by another Dubai-based group in Cape Town's V&A Waterfront," added Mr Demes.

As one of the main attractions of South Africa is the abundance of wildlife, properties with nature reserves are becoming increasingly sought after.

The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, The Honourable Sibusiso Ndebele, said he believes that Amazulu World will pave the way forward for even more foreign investment in South Africa.

"Developments like this will make South Africa a sustainable destination of choice and an economic hub that will boost trade, tourism and development for the entire African continent," he said.

A giant statue of King Shaka will be among the attractions on offer at Amazulu World.

The sheer diversity of South Africa and its property options make it a veritable treasure trove for local and foreign buyers. In the words of African author Olive Schreiner, ‘Our skies are higher and more intensely blue, our waves larger, our rivers fiercer. There is nothing measured, small or petty about South Africa.'

Picture by Thomas_sly