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Tucked into the unspoiled beauty of the North West province just outside Potchefstroom, Lekwena Wildlife Estate is quietly challenging the conventions of community living.
With giraffes grazing near patios, a thriving ecosystem underpinned by sustainable infrastructure, and the. convenience of cutting-edge logistics, Lekwena proves that living close to nature doesn’t mean compromising on modern comfort. Estate Living spent the day with Johan Janse van Rensburg, ALS Group Director and CEO, and Malan le Roux, ALS Group Operations Manager.
Thirteen years ago, the ALS Group – a diversified team of developers, farmers, and contractors – took over what was then a working farm. Their vision was clear: create a sustainable, self-sufficient community where people can live close to nature, without the burdens of farm life. With deep expertise in construction and agriculture, ALS was perfectly positioned to evolve the land into a unique wildlife estate that embraces both ecological responsibility and smart development.
A WILDLY PRACTICAL VISION
Lekwena is made up of three distinct residential phases. The first two villages offer 75 full-title stands each, averaging 2,000m2 in size. The third, aptly known as the ‘farm-style’ phase, caters to those who dream of growing their own food, raising chickens, or even parking their private aircraft right next to their home — thanks to the estate’s private airstrip and hangar plots.
The estate’s model is ingenious. While homeowners enjoy traversing rights over the farm’s vast wildlife areas, the land and its diverse population of game – remains under the stewardship of the developer. Residents contribute via a modest taversing levy (R2,500-R2,600), which covers fence maintenance and wildlife management, freeing homeowners from the responsibility and complexity of running a game reserve.
SUSTAINABILITY AT ITS CORE
Lekwena is a textbook case in forward-thinking infrastructure. With its own roads, water systems, and waste management, the estate runs almost entirely off-grid. Electricity is available through Eskom, but most residents choose solar. Water is drawn from boreholes, filtered on site, and tested regularly to ensure drinking quality. The estate even manages its own sewerage through a reed-bed biosystem — an ecologically sound solution that requires no electricity, chemicals, or human intervention once established.
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Three such systems are currently in operation, each designed to support different residential clusters. While initial costs are higher, the long-term benefit is clear: near-zero operational costs and complete water independence — critical in a water- stressed country like South Africa.
A CONNECTED, CONVENIENT LIFESTYLE
Despite its rural charm, Lekwena is fully connected. High-speed broadband is available through multiple ISPs, making remote work not just possible, but seamless. And now, with the rollout of the Dilli It smart delivery system in Lekwena’s commercial zone, convenience is entering a whole new era.
Dilli It is a smart locker system that allows for secure, contactless delivery and collection of parcels — perfect for a gated estate prioritising privacy and safety. Founder of Dilli It, Jandre de Wet, understanding the growing concerns around multiple deliveries within an estate, developed a secure product that can be scaled based on the estate’s needs. ‘Residents can have online orders or even courier collections managed without anyone entering the estate itself. Delivery companies drop off parcels in the lockers using a one-time PIN, and residents are notified via an app when their package is ready.’
‘It’s like a parking bay for your package,’ explains Johan Janse van Rensburg. ‘You only pay for the time your parcel is in the box. It’s about simplicity, safety, and control.’
A Dilli-Mobile courier will soon streamline last-mile logistics, collecting from the central hub and distributing to the lockers. Residents can use their golf carts to fetch items at their own convenience — no need for outside delivery personnel roaming the estate.
THOUGHTFUL AMENITIES FOR A LIFE WELL LIVED
Lekwena’s offering goes beyond homes and wildlife. The estate features a stylish restaurant, an indoor sports centre with cricket pitch and hockey facilities, a shooting range, equestrian stables, padel courts, and kilometres of mountain- bike trails. A gym, deli, coffee roastery, and wine shop are in the final stages of development, set to open by winter 2025.
The estate also includes a conference centre (70-seater) and a 300-person hall used for launches, wildlife auctions, and community events. Whether it’s a professor from nearby NWU, a retired farmer, or a young family looking for space and security, Lekwena offers a lifestyle that is both idyllic and intelligent.
THE FINAL STANDS
Of the estate’s original plots, only about 55 remain. Prices range from Rl million to R1.7 million, with building costs averaging R14,000 to R18,000 per square metre, depending on finishes. Owners are free to appoint their own architects and builders within the estate’s contemporary African architectural guidelines – emphasising sustainability, orientation, and harmony with the natural surroundings. Thatched roofs are out, solar panels are in.
THE FUTURE OF FARM-STYLE LIVING
Lekwena’s model – offering full-title ownership, traversing rights, and access to well-managed, shared assets – has proven successful. This is not the first development by the ALS Group: they have three sold-out residential and retirement estates.
At Lekwena, however, the journey continues. As the final homes are built and the last stands sold, the developer will retain ownership of the surrounding farm and wildlife operations, ensuring that the balance between man and nature remains protected for generations to come. In a time when South Africans are increasingly seeking lifestyle, security, and sustainability, Lekwena Wildlife Estate may just be the blueprint for the future.
Please can you send me list of available stands. Many thanks.