3 min read Encouraging the youth to commit to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects is a challenge. This has created a skills shortage, particularly in the technically trained professions. South Africa also struggles with an unemployment crisis where half of young people are unemployed.

3 min read Listed property investments have not always been a favourite asset class among investors. Record high vacancies have plagued the industry and this has been exacerbated by the pandemic as some more tenants get displaced or cancel their contracts.

3 min read In case you missed it, South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) took effect on July 1, 2020 and enforcement began exactly a year later, on July 1, 2021.

3 min read This month saw civil unrest in parts of the country shattering thousands of South Africans’ lives. Many people were arrested, and dozens killed or injured in rioting that has swept the country.

3 min read Recent legal developments are affecting estates and homeowners – who are only allowed to produce a percentage of alternative energy on site in relation to bulk municipal electricity supplied – in many ways, depending on local municipal bylaws. The onus is thus on developers to stay abreast of criteria and duly inform potential buyers.

3 min read During this past year, we saw a surge in technology adoption to help facilitate remote teaching and learning among students and teachers. This trend has continued as schools resumed with a mix of in-person, hybrid, and fully remote learning models.

3 min read When it comes to investing in property abroad, investors and developers have a smorgasbord of choice available to them. Overseas property investments are particularly attractive, given the current talk of a worldwide property boom, claims of better capital growth and higher rental yields.

3 min read Many South Africans are struggling to make ends meet in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdown restrictions, curfews and civil unrest.

3 min read The typical budget of an estate, whether bottom up or top down, can be anything upwards of R5 million and is often a very stressful juggling act for estate managers.

3 min read There’s a big demand from people to reconnect with nature and many are keen to leave the big city life and have homes build close to it. But being close to nature comes with its own perils.

3 min read According to Afrisam, the cement industry in South Africa produces approximately 20 million tons of cement a year. In 2019 the total demand for cement in South Africa was about 13 million tons but that dropped significantly last year due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

4 min read Winter holidays in South Africa has this year yielded scant cause for jollifications, as the country hunkers down to abide by Level 4 restrictions. But this should not deter you from planning some merriness – especially as July 25, celebrated as ‘Christmas in July’, draws near.

3 min read The demand for eco-friendly homes presents a unique opportunity to leap into a low carbon and resource-efficient future by building responsibly, incorporating energy efficient design and construction strategies.

6 min read It’s no revelation that our modern lives are affecting our sleep, and badly. The Sleep Foundation reports that between 10% and 30% of adults struggle with chronic insomnia – and sadly, ‘chronic’ means long and unabating periods of disorder. It’s staggering to think that up to a third of adults sleep badly or not really at all. But it’s also no surprise to hear this; modern life is forcing us to forego the value of our sleep and it is resulting in a rise in sleep disorders.

4 min read Your bed is the unsung hero of modern life – it’s there for your every day literally supporting you while you sleep. And sometimes it feels like it’s the only sure-fire thing you can rely on. Looking back on our lockdown and post-lockdown lives, we realise how time we spent in our beds – not just to sleep, but also a space to come together with the nucleus of the family, to soothe tired bodies, nurse sick children, to find a space of solace amongst the chaos of the world, and for many of us, as a makeshift office. Whatever happened, we learned that our beds support us beyond sleep and that the need for comfort cannot be overstated.  

2 min read AGMs loom large over every homeowner association’s calendar. Thanks to their innate capacity to connect home owners with their associations, the AGM is an essential vehicle for home owners to scrutinise the decision-making of boards and ensure good governance, and for boards to communicate a cohesive vision for the future.

3 min read ARC has grown exponentially since being formed on 1 April 2008, and has continued to enhance its offering to all members of the residential community industry.

2 min read Following discussions at ARC Chapter meetings, and at recent ARC Annual Conferences, a majority of ARC members expressed the need for an industry representative body, an NPC that will be governed by industry members, and managed operationally by the Association of Residential Communities (ARC).

8 min read Strategic planning is about projecting where your association expects to be in five, 10 or 15 years – and how your association will get there. It also ensures that your association will remain financially sustainable, and be able to maintain its reserves

3 min read Who says what, to whom and where? Communication has never been more far-reaching, available and sometimes untameable. Here below we discuss how quickly things are changing in the way we communicate, valuable aspects to consider moving forward, and a few tips on how to vet new platforms in order to keep a handle on online dialogue.

4 min read Since our inception in South Africa in 1997, we have grown from a provider of specialist soft services into a leading integrated facilities management company. In 2015, the landmark black empowerment transaction, which involved Kagiso Holdings acquiring 51% of Servest, also positioned us as one of the largest majority black-owned integrated facilities management companies in Africa.

2 min read We are in the midst of a rapid rise in urbanism. Since 1900, the global urban population has increased from 200 million to 3.9 billion in 2014. In 2050, this figure is expected to reach 6.4 billion. Cities are experiencing the impacts of climate change more frequently and more intensely. Conventional urban infrastructure and landscape design emphasised single-use structures and facilities.

5 min read ARC has developed a range of policies that all community associations are encouraged to use as a basis for  implementing policies within their communities. A summary of these follows. For a full description, please contact jeff@hoasupport.co.za.

3 min read Situated on 320 tranquil hectares of subtropical bushveld vegetation, yet only a short drive from the city centre, The Rest Nature Estate has quickly become Nelspruit’s (now Mbombela) most sought-after residential address.

4 min read Situated on the northwest bank of the Witbank Dam is the charming Bankenveld. The dam is one of the largest municipal dams in the southern hemisphere, as well as one of the cleanest, and forms an integral part of this unique, yet thoroughly relaxing estate. The estate was first conceptualised in 1998, and the first home built in 2001. There is an exciting range of properties, including waterfront homes, freestanding homes further inland, and fashionable townhouses.

3 min read As the first estate of its kind in Pretoria, Silver Lakes has stood the test of time for more than a quarter of a century, in recent years thanks mainly to CEO Henk Booysen’s inspired and consistent leadership.

3 min read Is it constitutional for CSOS to determine that the agreed levies are unreasonable after the fact? We recently had cause to deal with an adjudication before the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) in Johannesburg, in which our client was the homeowners association of a residential development (the estate), which comprises 328 residential units, including various types of property.

4 min read 2020/2021 has seen an acceleration in the rate of change in our lives. These changes have been felt across all sectors of society, and in many aspects of community living. As we settle in to the ‘new normal’ this article explores a few current issues, and offers some practical guidance to assist your estate to equip itself to meet future challenges.

5 min read Throughout the ages humans have attached value to many different things, from salt in ancient Rome to diamonds today. And even in our modern times, what we deem valuable still seems rooted in the tangible – something we can see, feel, taste or touch.

3 min read Everybody is offering the promise of quality nowadays, and with that, a product that they say is the answer to all your problems. We don’t think a promise is enough, so instead we’ll give you value that’s real, not just in money terms but in quality of life. We’re keeping things simple by offering you what’s truly valuable – good sleep.

2 min read The sought-after EB-5 Investor Programme has become more accessible for a limited time only. As announced on 22 June 2021, by the U.S. federal court. Immigrants can now diversify their investment portfolios for a lower fee of $500 000 (as opposed to the previous rate of $900 000) to secure green cards, for a limited period only – until 30 June 2021.

5 min read Microfarms probably won’t solve world hunger, but it wouldn’t be far from the truth to say that they may be the best candidate for that honour. And, while it’s unlikely that many people living in residential estates are starving, it’s almost certain that most can benefit from more fresh veggies – and from fresher veggies.

4 min read The tiny tropical island of Rodrigues lies some 560 kilometres to the northeast of its big sister, Mauritius. A rugged volcanic outcrop, with a mountainous central ridge and deep valleys and ravines, it is surrounded by coral reefs, which enclose a wide, shallow lagoon twice its size. Draped in the turquoise water is a necklace of 17 tiny islets, overgrown with rare flora and inhabited by endangered sea birds. In short, Rodrigues is a nature-lover’s paradise.

2 min read If you’re thinking of moving to a gorgeous Mediterranean island, the chances are you’ll want to spend some time on the beach. So you’ll be pleased to hear that Cyprus has the cleanest beaches in Europe.

4 min read I love cheesecake, and always have, but – as I discovered one rainy night in Wilderness – there is cheesecake, and then there is cheesecake. Aidan’s cheesecake is cheesecake.

4 min read If you live – or are planning a development – in one of the drier parts of the country, you are faced with some serious gardening and landscaping challenges. But you’re not the first person to have to deal with little or no water and hot, dry winds that shrivel up every little hopeful green shoot. Many landscapers have very successfully created dramatic xeriscapes of intriguing hard elements and extremely hardy plants.

2 min read Mauritius will be welcoming international travellers from 15 July 2021 – but not all travellers, and there are still a few hoops to jump through.

4 min read An international study says around half of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) want to buy at least one luxury home in the next 12 months, and that South Africa is one country that they’re considering.

3 min read Why are we seeing a property boom when the world is engulfed in a global pandemic? This is a very valid question, considering that, during the financial crisis in 2008, real house prices fell by an average of 10%, wiping trillions of dollars off the value of bricks and mortar.

3 min read The idea of creating a bespoke sleep experience was once a pipe dream, but Serta is spearheading the sleep revolution. As the makers of the world’s best mattress, Serta knows that no two sleepers are alike, so they have developed the best in unparalleled sleep technology, the patented Serta Ergomotion foundation – created for truly customizable sleep.

3 min read Researchers in Sweden have succeeded in making a sustainable, renewable transparent wood that is strong enough to use as a structural element. It will be a while before it is widely available, but it has the potential to profoundly affect the construction industry.

4 min read A picture perfect tropical island with crystal-clear turquoise waters lapping golden beaches, Mauritius ticks all the boxes for a beach and watersports holiday. The snorkelling is fantastic, but to really appreciate life beneath the shimmering ocean surface, you need to scuba dive.

2 min read Cyprus has opened its borders to visitors (and potential immigrants) as long as they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 – regardless of where they’re from, or where they’ve been.

4 min read Until recently, most new developments had a tourism component, but some developers started rethinking that since Covid hit our shores. But perhaps it’s more a matter of tweaking your offerings to appeal to a new type of ‘tourist’ – the digital nomad.

2 min read The dynamic development, Station House, Sea Point now offers investment opportunities in their boutique hotel section of the project. D2E Properties and Berman Brothers have partnered with trusted Lucid Ventures (12J investment manager) to launch a 12J Investment Fund, that has also been approved by Investec, through the boutique hotel offering within Station House.

4 min read People are living longer than ever. In comparison to 20 years ago, there are now 711 million 65 years-old on the planet. In this modern age we’re seeing medical science advance in quantum leaps, which is helping humans to survive and thrive well beyond the traditional retirement age.

3 min read The design of the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library is a truly African interpretation of Mbeki’s concept of African Renaissance, and a wonderful example of the place- and culture-specific style of award-winning architect David Adjaye.

3 min read Emigrating is hard enough without facing the prospect of giving up the family cat or dog, so many people take them along. But it involves an awful lot of planning, and not inconsiderable expense. Three recent emigrants tell us how they did it – the challenges, the stresses, and – of course – the joy.

3 min read The inaugural Running down the Fences event is a great opportunity for runners (and even non-runners) from your estate to spend some quality time on a fabulous malaria-free game reserve. So, get out your running shoes and put together a team from your estate to ‘run down the fences’ between Addo and the Great Fish River.

5 min read Think Mauritius and the images that spring to mind are probably of lazing on white sand beaches, swimming in the turquoise waters of the shallow lagoon, and sipping cocktails while watching spectacular sunsets. But there are plenty of active adventures in this tropical paradise.

2 min read The South African Bureau of Standards has updated the national standard on fire alarm systems, in a move that could have far-reaching consequences for residential estates.

3 min read One of the biggest selling points of residential estates is that they are removed from the stresses of the ‘world beyond the wall’. So we need to guard carefully against conflict arising within our communities – and we need to deal creatively with any tensions between residents, and between residents and management.

3 min read Do you know what Tsogo Sun, City Lodge, Wakefields Property Management, Virgin Active, and scores of other premium properties have in common? Nothing on the surface, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find that the surfaces of their buildings are coated with Plascon products.

2 min read We all know that Mauritius is a gorgeous tropical island paradise with a fantastic infrastructure and awesome standard of living, but it’s also a place of wonder and mystery. Here are five strange things you may not have known about the island.

3 min read Tax has always been confusing. If you throw around words like ‘double tax agreements’ (DTAs) and ‘financial emigration’, you simply up the complexity levels. So how can you find out your tax status and whether South Africa has a DTA with another country?

3 min read Back in 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 bitcoins – worth about $446 million (R6.207 million) at current prices – for two pizzas. It’s thought to be the first commercial cryptocurrency transaction.

2 min read The various things that we’ve all said about Eskom (especially after bashing our shins in the dark) are not printable. Let’s face it. We are all – well – tired of what has become an asymmetrical relationship in which one side fails to deliver on promises. But we feel that we’re stuck in what is becoming an increasingly toxic relationship. So it is with great interest that we anticipate the City of Durban’s imminent divorce from the power (non-) provider.

3 min read Whether it’s just as a back-up for when Eskom throws a wobbly, or whether it’s a serious commitment to using renewable energy, storage is almost always the constraining factor. So incorporating a rechargeable battery in the actual cement structure of a building sounds like a great idea.

4 min read Nobody is perfect, and no system is perfect, so we just have to do the best we can, and hope that it is good enough. But how good is ‘good enough’? Or how bad do things have to be before they are not ‘good enough’? And is this culture of ‘good enough’ wise? It’s certainly expedient but, if we trawl through the news headlines, we can find many instances of when ‘good enough’ was not good enough.

< 1 min read Last year we wrote about an interesting UK-based startup that had designed a system to store electricity by raising heavy weights during low demand (or bright sunshine), and releasing them into mineshafts when needed. Seemed like a great idea – and now they are crowdfunding to build a prototype.

4 min read If you’re going to Mauritius for the golf (and you’d be surprised how many people do), you will not be disappointed. With 10 18-hole courses and two nine-hole courses, you could – almost – play a different course every day for two weeks. And there are a few in the pipeline. All the courses offer lessons, and most have excellent practice facilities.

3 min read You’re walking down a street in an unfamiliar city, and you see a building that makes you turn your head. It’s familiar, it’s unique, it’s beautiful. Chances are it’s Art Deco. Art Deco was the first truly international architectural style, and there are examples of it on every continent, and in many, many cities. But some cities retain a significant element of the style – and they are richer and more interesting for it.

4 min read People instinctively know what colours resonate with them, what “feels right”, but not everyone knows why this is the case. The reasons have more to do with science than sentiment, and choosing an appropriate colour for an architectural or interior design project can be determined rationally, rather than by personal preference alone. And particularly so in the case of healthcare for the elderly.

4 min read If a South African expatriate had to describe the year 2020 in one word, “uncertainty” would no doubt rank as one of the most appropriate. Even before the world was hauled into turmoil by the COVID-19 pandemic, South African expatriates were already faced with the many unknowns that would be ushered in by the “expat tax” era.

2 min read In this fast-paced world, there are many people who suffer from insomnia. Sales of pharmaceuticals, herbal preparations, tinctures, and a myriad of devices are available to try to get us to sleep better but It seems we’re not winning the battle.

6 min read The crazy thing is that although we all know this to be true, scientists are yet to discover exactly why it is that we need sleep!

2 min read With a Serta adjustable mattress set you can get the customized comfort of your dreams. Sleep with exceptionally optimized comfort that only an adjustable foundation can provide. Work more comfortably on your laptop or handheld device by adjusting the head and/or foot of the mattress.

3 min read It’s hard to predict what property prices will do in 2022, given the uncertainty we’ve seen over the last year thanks to the pandemic. But we’ve asked several experts to gaze into their crystal balls and give us the lowdown on what we can expect the market to look like next year.

3 min read Despite – or, more to the point, because of – the massive disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africans continue to invest in residential investment properties overseas. With the prospect of a booming economy and the promise of citizenship, the United States is becoming one of the most sought-after destinations.

3 min read Whether you’re planning on moving to Mauritius, or just taking a well-earned break on this lovely island, you definitely will not want to leave your golf clubs behind. There’s more to this idyllic tropical paradise than pretty beaches, warm, crystal-clear water and coconut palms.

3 min read Gardens serve many purposes – decoration, food production, and even status symbols. But gardens can be so much more. Depending on what – and how – you plant, your garden can increase or decrease your risk of fire (and many other things, but let’s stick with fire).

4 min read We are all familiar with the sweets and snacks in the checkout queues of supermarkets. And we have all carefully averted our eyes from them, or – somewhat more difficult – tried to distract our children from them. This is just one – and possibly the most graphic – example of how we as humans (and especially as consumers) are nudged into ‘desirable’ decisions daily. But who decides what is ‘desirable’?

2 min read Serving as a director of a homeowners association, or a trustee in a sectional title scheme, has never been for the faint-hearted. Members living in a community scheme volunteer to serve their communities as a member of the board and are immediately thrust into an environment in which they are expected to meet high levels of governance and good practice, including sometimes onerous criteria as it relates to their fiduciary responsibilities. Being completely responsible and accountable to the members of a homeowners association or body corporate is so much more than simply complying with the relevant legislation that governs these community schemes.

5 min read Once the preserve of nerds, geeks and nebbishes, chess has had a bit of an image makeover since the release of The Queen’s Gambit. And to be honest, so have geeks and nerds. It is cool to be smart, and chess is definitely for smart people. So perhaps it’s a smart idea to start a chess club on an estate.

3 min read With interest rates the lowest they’ve been in 50 years, there’s never been a better time to get onto the property ladder. In March, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) kept the repo rate at a record low 3.5%. They are likely to maintain it at this rate for most of 2021, which means homeowners are unlikely to see any increases in their mortgage repayments this year.

3 min read Just two years ago the International Monetary Fund (IMF) declared in a report that South Africans live in one of the 10 most heavily taxed countries in the world (tax-to-GDP ratio). Back in 2019, the report highlighted that personal income taxes had increased by 125% in just ten years.

3 min read As low-lying coastal homes are threatened by rising sea levels and extreme weather events, some landowners and governments are proposing proactive action. While others, of course, bury their heads in the sand, hoping against all logic to defy the tides in an ironic twist of the story of King Canute.

4 min read The process of relocating can be pretty stressful, so the last thing you want is to find out you can’t take your best friend with you. We have done everything we can to ensure that the information below is accurate but regulations do change, and some are – not to put too fine a point on it – somewhat ambiguously worded, so please double check with the relevant authorities before committing.

4 min read Utter the words ‘land expropriation without compensation’ and the reactions you get will be mixed. But it’s a topic that’s guaranteed to be brought up around the dinner table thanks to the impending local elections.

2 min read Plascon has remained the architectural and construction trade’s go-to coatings manufacturer for over 130 years as a result of its ability to continuously reinvent itself. This year marks Plascon’s biggest brand renewal yet, with rejuvenated products, exciting initiatives and a bold new look, to top things off.  These changes affirm Plascon’s re-orientation and refreshed commitment to focus on people and purpose.

3 min read Creole cultures, which evolved in many countries with a colonial past, are increasingly recognising that they have more similarities than differences with their many counterparts all over the world. In fact, Creole culture almost transcends borders.

4 min read What is the lesson we take home as we count the cost, and to try to reconstruct, after this last in a series of devastating fires? We need to think – not just about how we deal with the aftermath, or even how we deal with the actual fires – but how we prevent them from happening again. And, for those of us responsible for large tracts of land, like estates, it’s not just an academic exercise.

5 min read Recent events indicate the emergence of an alternative model for the management of services like water and waste. Several separate initiatives are under way, currently unconnected, but all moving in a similar direction. In areas where municipalities have failed, courts have ruled in favour of residents’ associations, giving them the right to manage water and waste. It is evident that, with increased support from National Treasury and the Presidency, a new model is emerging that will enable private capital to be raised for clearly defined public services provision.

2 min read While there are many reasons for emigrating, financial affairs play a large part in both the decision to emigrate, and the success of immigration applications. Tax is, of course, a large part of an immigration-through-investment process, and it can be quite complex. Caleo Capital, a South African wealth management company with a global footprint, works closely with 12 Star Capital to ensure a smooth financial transition for South Africans emigrating to the USA.

4 min read When the government recently published a new proposed list of critical skills, or high-demand occupations, which would make it easier for certain foreign workers to get visas to work and live in South Africa, ‘project manager’ was a recurring theme across industries. Construction – which has suffered a severe project management skills shortage for years – emerged as a particular problem area.

3 min read The Maldives has recently announced plans to kickstart their 3V programme, allowing foreigners to visit, vaccinate and vacation on the small archipelago. Despite having a relatively firm grip on the spread of COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic (they boast a recovery rate of more than 90% and a mortality rate of 0.3%), the local economy has taken a battering, and the unemployment rate is the highest on record.

5 min read From Transkei to Alaska, round houses have been the norm for centuries – more probably millennia. In fact, it was only with the (in some case quite strong) encouragement of missionaries that Christian converts started to build ‘civilised’ square houses in southern Africa. But, while in some places and societies the stigma of ‘primitiveness’ is still associated with round houses, many forward-thinking architects and planners in all parts of the world are rediscovering the advantages of circular dwellings, and have been for decades.

3 min read Le Morne Brabant, one of Mauritius’s two World Heritage Sites, is renowned as much for its fabulous scenery and exciting outdoor activities as for its fascinating cultural and historic heritage.

2 min read South African Shaun Minnie, who emigrated to the United States on the EB-5 Program with his family, chats about the pros and cons, highs and lows.

3 min read We are all tired of restrictions, and many of us are aching to attend football matches, mega-church services or raves, and we all want the tourism industry to recover – both so that our economy can recover, and so that we can head off somewhere exotic to destress. We long for ‘normality’. So we are lining up for vaccinations and hoping that they (and the proof thereof) will fix the world and bring everything back to the way it was. But is a vaccine – and a ‘vaccine passport’ – the panacea it’s made out to be, or will it prove to be a two-edged sword with some unexpected consequences?

3 min read The Traditional Courts Bill is lurching its way through Parliament, amid howls of protest – mostly, ironically, from the very people it’s intended to protect. What is the Bill, and what do we need to know about it?

4 min read There are some great investment opportunities in Mauritius, but you have missed the very best of them all. Unless, that is, your great grandmother was in regular correspondence with Elizabeth Gomm, wife of the governor of Mauritius – or anyone else who lived there in 1847. And – and this is a big and – she kept all her letters in a nice, dry, tin trunk that has been passed down to you over the generations, unopened.

4 min read We acknowledge, in so many fields, that less is more, so why do we struggle to achieve minimalism, simplicity, unfussiness, austerity and/or uncomplicatedness? Evidently, according to new research, it’s because we are hardwired to add, rather than subtract – a tendency that unconsciously leads us into situations akin to the hideous (and intentionally ironic) list of words above.

3 min read The USA’s EB-5 Investor Visa programme, which has been criticised as posing a threat to national security and being open to abuse and fraud, has been replaced by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act. But questions remain as to whether it will achieve its objectives, and how it will affect potential international investors. Including South Africans, of course.

2 min read The Cyprus Citizenship by Investment programme, which has for years been one of the most popular options for high nett worth individuals seeking EU citizenship, has been terminated. But you can still get permanent residency, and – if you are determined – citizenship may follow.

4 min read We’ve always known that the popular Section 12J had an expiry date, but we assumed (hoped) it would be extended. Well, it won’t be. So, if you want to take advantage of it, you had better move very, very fast to get in before the 30 June cut-off. But it’s not all bad news. While 12J is on the way out, Lucky 13sex is still around.

7 min read Most of us work because we have to, not because we want to. But New Work, as defined by Frithjof Bergmann, is work that we do because we want to – because it enriches our lives, not just our bank balances. Until recently, it’s only been artists, hippies and new-age hunter-gatherers who have managed to step off the conspicuous consumption–conspicuous busyness roller coaster, and just live. But, with new technology and an open mind, this option is open to more of us. Maybe it will, one day soon, become the new normal.

3 min read While many people choose to live in lifestyle estates for the serene surroundings and country feel, they still need to be close to the city – to work, shop, access professional services, or frequently travel to and from the airport. This is particularly true for young working professionals and parents of schoolgoing kids who have to add a soccer-mom-taxi element to an already hectic commute schedule.

4 min read When wildfires swept through the hills near Santa Cruz, California, in 2020, they released toxic chemicals into the water supplies of at least two communities. One sample found benzene, a carcinogen, at 40 times the state’s drinking water standard.

2 min read Since the outbreak of COVID-19 last year, Mauritius has upheld the sanitary safety of Mauritian nationals and that of visitors as a topmost priority. The island nation has been widely recognised as exercising one of the best responses to the pandemic – a strategy that has resulted in a surprisingly low incidence of the disease.

6 min read Whether it’s unlocking your phone or accessing your banking app, facial recognition technology is everywhere. It’s a tool that is rapidly gaining popularity with banks, security companies, law enforcement, retailers and – of course – social media platforms. And, like every tool from a claw hammer to a chainsaw or a steamroller, this tool can be used constructively or destructively. Or, if not actually destructively, at least creepily.

2 min read In its audited financial statements for the reporting period 2017/18, the CSOS recognised an impairment loss of R80 million, as a result of unlawful investments into VBS Mutual Bank (“VBS”).

3 min read Before starting projects in areas with ageing municipal infrastructure, developers should beware of the indirect – or, in some cases, direct – costs.

4 min read Whatever your field, whether you are project managing a multibillion-rand development, overseeing the security on a small estate, getting the kids to school on time, or running a large hospital, you need to manage risk, minimise accidents, and ensure the smooth flow of a number of related tasks. We all have different ways of ensuring that this happens, but one brilliant model is as simple as a slice of cheese – or, more accurately, a lot of slices of cheese.

2 min read The UK government is introducing an additional 2% stamp duty land tax (SDLT) surcharge for foreign investors purchasing property in England and Northern Ireland from 1 April 2021. It will apply to purchases of any freehold or leasehold residential property in which the purchaser, or one of the purchasers, is deemed to be a non-UK resident. The only exceptions to this rule are if one of the purchasers is an employee of the UK state (the Crown), or if the non-UK resident is married or in a civil partnership with a UK resident.

3 min read There are so many fabulous residential estates from which to choose that you can be forgiven for feeling a tad overwhelmed. But, don’t be intimidated by the cornucopia of choice. Many of them will suit your needs, but some may be just perfect for you. It’s worth doing your homework.

2 min read Portugal’s Golden Visa citizenship by investment programme is one of the most accessible ways of obtaining Euro citizenship. And a nice place on the Atlantic or Mediterranean coast is an added bonus – or at least it was until the Portuguese government amended the legislation to exclude coastal properties and properties in the main cities of Porto and Lisbon.

3 min read The Palari Group, in conjunction with Mighty Buildings, is planning the world’s first zero net energy, 3D-printed residential estate in Rancho Mirage, California, USA. It will be a small, low-density, upmarket estate but, perhaps, the ease, speed, efficiency and sustainability of the construction process may lend itself to rapid deployment of affordable housing. Or not.

4 min read They know everything about you. They know who you are, where you live, who your friends are, what their names and ID numbers are, what car they drive … and they have hours of video footage of you entering and leaving your home. ‘They’ are not some shady government agency. They’re the security company that guards your estate’s front gate, and the information they’re collecting about you – and about your visitors – is increasingly coming under the microscope.

2 min read On 10 March 2021, the government of the Republic of Mauritius implemented new COVID-19 public health protocols, and placed the island nation on temporary lockdown until 25 March 2021. This follows the reporting of 15 cases of COVID-19 in the community. All international and domestic passenger flights have been suspended until 25 March 2021, but cargo flights will continue.

3 min read Slowly, your eyes close, your head droops – and then you jerk awake just before your chin hits your chest – that awful feeling when you just can’t stay awake. We’ve all experienced it – whether it’s trawling through the minutes of the latest board meeting, or trying to look (and be) alert at the entrance gate. How do we deal with those mid-morning slumps? (Or mid-afternoon, or mid-evening, or even midnight.)

3 min read You may have noticed that we’ve all been using the internet a lot more than we used to. The global shifts towards remote working, online learning, cloud-based business operations and streaming entertainment – all of which were gathering steam before 2020 happened – have been propelled forward by the local lockdowns of COVID-19. That spells opportunity for developers who can meet the growing demand for South Africa’s internet backbone infrastructure needs.

3 min read Many serious cooks swear by gas hobs. They’re reliable, incredibly controllable, efficient, cost-efficient and – best of all – they work during load shedding, as long as you have a box of matches nearby. And you can’t beat the aesthetics of a gleaming stainless steel gas hob. But how safe is cooking with gas?

5 min read Unless you’ve been living under a rock with no internet or cell reception, you will have been bombarded with cute, adorable, clever tiny house ideas. But is there any place for the tiny house movement here in South Africa, where most of the population live in ‘houses’ that would make a tiny house seem uber-luxurious? Perhaps the most important thing the tiny house movement can do is to get people to rethink what is necessary, and what is possible. And that’s just what any smart developer should be doing.

2 min read There is so much day-to-day pressure in managing an estate or sectional title development that it’s easy to become bogged down in mundane admin, and – when things don’t go smoothly – in not-so-mundane firefighting. But it’s essential to maintain the broad vision and the long view.

3 min read Who’d have thought it? Between them, property and tourism – two of the industries that have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 crisis – are creating one of the year’s most innovative investment opportunities.

4 min read The government in England will give leaseholders the right to extend their leases by up to 990 years and pay no ground rent under major new changes due to become law later this year. We take a look at what effects, if any, the new changes have for foreign investors.

3 min read We are all aware that we need to do an environmental impact assessment before we embark on any large-scale (or sometimes even small-scale) endeavour like mining, new building, landscaping – even farming. But this is – in the scheme of thing – relatively recent, so it is still seen by many as an inconvenience imposed by tie-dye-clad, lentil-eating tree huggers. But how did we get here? How did trees get legal standing? (And rocks, and bunnies and other natural things.) And why should we comply with the spirit of this legislation rather than trying to circumvent it by manipulating the letter?

3 min read If the promise of the sweet island life doesn’t seal the deal, here are ten more perks of living or purchasing property in this unique seaside setting.

7 min read Island living evokes balmy weather, tropical gardens, beautiful homes, sandy beaches, lagoons, and above all, space. Living on the edge of a golf course means you are surrounded by greenery and lush vegetation, peacefulness and beauty. Having the freedom to choose to live by a golf course is the epitome of luxury.

< 1 min read Island living evokes balmy weather, tropical gardens, beautiful homes, sandy beaches, lagoons, and above all, space. Living on the edge of a golf course means you are surrounded by greenery and lush vegetation, peacefulness and beauty. Having the freedom to choose to live by a golf course is the epitome of luxury.

3 min read Since its discovery by Arab sailors in the 16th century, Mauritius has been coveted by powerful nations because of its strategic position on the Spice Trade Route. People from all corners of the globe continue to be drawn to its natural beauty, ideal location at the crossroads of Africa and Asia, and time zone that allows round-the-clock transactions with all major markets. Who doesn’t love the sweet life of living in the tropics?

6 min read What does genuine economic progress look like? The orthodox answer is that a bigger economy is always better, but this idea is increasingly strained by the knowledge that, on a finite planet, the economy can’t grow for ever, and academics, economists and activists have, for decades, been exploring ways of moving beyond growth economics and towards a ‘steady-state’ economy.

4 min read The giant water lily, Victoria amazonica, is bizarre. It’s the biggest water lily in the world, and its leaves are so big and buoyant that a small adult can sit on one and read a book. However, what’s really unusual about them is their sex life. But don’t worry, we’ll keep it PG.

3 min read Managing a residential estate is different to managing most other businesses because your clients are part of your product, and what you do affects them – not only in a business way but also as humans and families. And what they do affects you, and your other clients. It’s quite a juggling act.

3 min read Investors who’re looking to access the international property market have two main choices: individual, physical properties, or a diversified portfolio with exposure to the real estate market. Which option is best for you?

4 min read Usually, when you review a book that you think is good, or even – as in this case – excellent, you wax lyrical about how much you enjoyed it. Well, this was not the case here. Reading this book is not enjoyable. Every page you turn feels like being hit over the head with something big and heavy – perhaps a book, but definitely a hardcover one. Seriously, it’s a traumatic read, but a very important one, especially for developers with a social conscience who are hoping to create something sustainable.

3 min read If you are living in a residential estate, you probably know that there are a host of rules to which you have to adhere. Most of these you will find quite reasonable, and probably appreciate how they protect you from minor (and some major) nuisances. But you may find some a bit onerous so, if you are thinking of moving to, or buying into, an estate, make sure you know the rules before you sign on the dotted line.

4 min read As the local economy continues to wobble, more and more South Africans are looking overseas to build and diversify their wealth. Property is an increasingly attractive part of that offshore investment picture. But whether it’s a small rental apartment in Portugal or a seaside villa in Zanzibar, that offshore property needs very careful attention when it comes to estate planning.

2 min read Sadly, we need to protect our homes with a range of security measures, but that doesn’t mean we have to live behind bars, caged up like prisoners. Security is a dynamic, ever-evolving industry in which cutting-edge technology is constantly employed to produce best-practice applications.

< 1 min read If you’ve found your dream property in Cyprus Currencies Direct can help you save time and money on your purchase.

4 min read With the nationwide rainfall that we have enjoyed, some courtesy of Tropical Storm Eloise, most of our large dams are now full. The media is reporting that our water worries are over, at least for the time being. But is this the case, or is this just a blip in a general downward trend? As with many things, to predict the future, we need to look at the past.

3 min read When we think of return on investment, we tend to think in monetary terms, but we forget that money is not much use if there is nothing worthwhile to spend it on. So, while we do need to ensure our financial security, we – possibly even more importantly – need to ensure that our planet remains liveable for humans. And the key to that is biodiversity.

3 min read The announcement by South African airline FlySafair that it will be introducing a Johannesburg to Mauritius route once the two countries’ borders reopen has been welcomed by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA).

4 min read Walking is much more than a way to get from A to B. It’s a meditation and a pilgrimage.

2 min read Balwin’s Wedgewood Sandton Lifestyle Apartments development has achieved record sales – a whopping R1 billion sold in just seven weeks since 21 November 2020. These sales equated to R22.2 million in sales per day over the period, which is remarkable at the best of times. But in these challenging times, when we all need positive news and buyer confidence, it is nothing short of spectacular.

3 min read Plascon Professional is privileged to partner with our valued Preferred Applicators on a number of prestigious building projects. One of the latest such developments is the multi-billion-rand, 45 000m2 Umhlanga Arch. Prominently positioned on the slopes of Umhlanga Ridge in Kwazulu-Natal, it will become instantly recognizable as a future iconic landmark on the Umhlanga skyline thanks to its bold, eponymous glass arch.

< 1 min read In terms of Section 1 of CSOS Act, the term “community scheme” refers to any scheme or arrangement where there is shared use of and responsibility for parts of land and buildings

2 min read Our Constitution is woven through the very fabric of our daily lives, and this is so clearly seen (or should be clearly seen) in the Rules of Community Schemes all around the country!