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Cape industrial market enters new phase as speculative development accelerates
Cape Town’s industrial property market is entering a new phase as developers increasingly build without securing tenants first. Cushman & Wakefield | BROLL says sustained occupier demand, rental growth and limited well-located land are supporting this confidence. Asking rentals at leading A-grade parks have risen by up to 58% since 2021, while strong investor appetite and constrained supply continue to underpin speculative development across the Cape Metropole’s industrial property sector.
A new chapter for Cape Town city living
Arlo & Co. is bringing a new style of city living to 80 St Georges Mall, combining heritage, hospitality and contemporary design in Cape Town’s historic centre. The development will offer 276 residences, curated amenities and Mojo Greenmarket at street level, creating a connected urban community. With homes priced from R1.275 million, VAT inclusive, the project targets professionals, first-time buyers and investors seeking a well-located CBD address with lasting appeal.
Pepkor builds R21.3bn fintech platform
Pepkor is creating a R21.3 billion fintech platform by combining Flash with Shop2Shop, giving the retailer a 57.1% controlling stake. The new entity will serve formal and informal merchants and process more than R200 billion in transactions annually. By integrating payments, cash management and value-added services, Pepkor aims to deepen its reach into South Africa’s merchant economy, support digital adoption and unlock future value through a potential separate listing strategy.
Rising hospitality costs: Where might inefficiencies be hiding?
As South Africa’s tourism sector prepares for a busy summer, rising costs are putting pressure on hospitality businesses to improve efficiency without compromising guest experience. Jeffrey Madkins, Marketing Manager at Unilever Professional SA, explores how smarter laundry operations, from reducing water and energy use to extending textile life and using AI-driven analysis, can help accommodation providers cut waste and costs.
New Africa Developments acquires Kalahari Mall in one of Northern Cape’s biggest shopping centre transactions
New Africa Developments has acquired Kalahari Mall in Upington, marking its entry into the Northern Cape and adding a dominant regional retail asset to its growing portfolio. The centre serves Upington, surrounding towns and cross-border markets, supported by a strong national tenant mix and loyal customer base. NAD plans significant refurbishment, tenant reconfiguration and possible GLA expansion to strengthen the mall’s long-term growth and community relevance.
Beyond the ballot, November Local Elections will be seminal for the property market
South Africa’s 4 November 2026 local government elections could have a major bearing on property values, investment and development, says Seeff Property Group chairman Samuel Seeff. Municipalities shape service delivery, infrastructure, planning approvals and utility costs, all of which influence buyer and investor confidence. Well-governed areas tend to attract demand and capital, while failing municipalities risk declining property values, higher costs and weaker economic growth and reduced household wealth creation.
Inflation gains on rental growth as Western Cape sets the pace
South Africa’s residential rental market recorded its strongest quarterly growth in more than a year in Q2 2026, with national rents rising 5.2% to an average R9,715. The Western Cape led with 9.7% growth, while seven provinces trailed the national average. Despite strong nominal gains, rising inflation squeezed real returns. Tenant arrears remained near record lows at 16.9%, although payment pressure could increase as higher interest rates filter through.
The retirement conundrum: Why downsizing your home doesn’t always add up
Downsizing may no longer guarantee a cheaper retirement for South African homeowners. Grant Smee, CEO of Only Realty Property Group, warns that weaker demand for larger inland homes and rising prices for secure retirement properties are reshaping the traditional retirement plan. With living costs also exceeding expectations for many retirees, property decisions increasingly need to be made earlier, with careful consideration of equity, ongoing costs and future lifestyle needs financially.
First-time landlords level up: important need-to-knows
South Africa’s rental market is expanding as more households rent and buy-to-let investment rises, but landlords must understand their legal obligations. Seeff Property Group warns that the Rental Housing Act applies to all residential rentals, requiring written leases, monthly invoices, proper deposit handling, inspections, maintenance and respect for tenant rights. Specialist rental agencies can help landlords remain compliant, reduce legal and financial risks, and protect long-term property investment returns effectively.
cidb Opens ERWIC Awards Entries with New Academics Category
The Construction Industry Development Board has opened entries for the 2026 Empowerment and Recognition of Women in Construction Awards, introducing a new category recognising female academics and researchers in the built environment. The awards aim to advance transformation, innovation and skills development while highlighting women’s contributions to South Africa’s construction sector. With women representing only 10% of the industry workforce, the programme seeks to promote greater inclusion, visibility and leadership opportunities.
Etana Energy, Growthpoint Properties and the City of Cape Town pioneer pooled renewable electricity wheeling
Growthpoint Properties, Etana Energy and the City of Cape Town have achieved a South African first with the successful implementation of pooled renewable electricity wheeling across multiple properties on the municipal grid. The initiative allows renewable energy generated remotely to be allocated across a portfolio of buildings, improving flexibility, scalability and efficiency. The project marks an important milestone in the property sector’s transition to cleaner energy and positions Cape Town at the forefront of municipal energy innovation.
Growthpoint enters next growth phase with stronger balance sheet and sharper portfolio focus
Growthpoint Properties enters FY27 on a stronger footing, with improved South African portfolio performance, lower gearing and a substantial development pipeline. FY26 distributable income per share rose 4.3% to 152.6 cents, while dividends increased 7.4%. Estienne de Klerk assumed the Group CEO role on 1 July 2026, succeeding Norbert Sasse, as Growthpoint shifts from portfolio restructuring towards its next phase of sustainable growth.
Redefine Properties recognised for top-ranked integrated report at this year’s EY Awards
Redefine Properties’ integrated report has ranked first among listed peers at the 2025 EY Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards, extending its run among South Africa’s most transparent listed companies to 12 consecutive years. CEO Andrew König says the recognition reflects Redefine’s commitment to clear, balanced and stakeholder-focused reporting, providing credible insight into financial performance, ESG priorities, strategic progress and the company’s long-term approach to creating and protecting value.
Vukile opens R76.1m Nonesi Mall extension, strengthening Komani’s commercial core
Vukile Property Fund (JSE: VKE) has officially opened a R76.1m extension and refurbishment at Nonesi Mall in Komani, Eastern Cape. The fully pre-let expansion adds 3,100sqm of retail space, taking the centre’s gross lettable area to nearly 31,000sqm, and consolidates Nonesi Mall’s position as Komani’s leading shopping destination.
ABB and Samsung partner to connect building intelligence with enterprise IoT
ABB and Samsung Electronics have expanded their partnership by integrating ABB Ability™ BuildingPro with Samsung SmartThings Pro, creating a connected platform for smarter building management. The solution enables building owners and operators to access real-time data, analytics and controls across lighting, climate, energy and access systems through a unified interface. The collaboration also extends to hospitality environments, helping improve operational efficiency, enhance guest experiences and support sustainability goals through intelligent building technologies.
SA Listed property holds its ground: But the next test is coming
South Africa’s listed property sector opened the third quarter positively, with the J803 All Property Index returning 2.24% in July and 26.11% over twelve months. Stronger balance sheets, distribution growth and active capital raising continue to support the sector. However, higher interest rates, softer retail footfall and pressure on consumers are creating uncertainty, making tenant performance, debt management and earnings guidance key areas to watch during the results season ahead.
One of South Africa’s most respected economists joins BetterBond
BetterBond has appointed economist Dr Roelof Botha as economic advisor, expanding a relationship that already includes his co-authorship of the BetterBond Property Brief. Drawing on more than five decades of experience across government, industry and consulting, Botha will provide macroeconomic analysis, property-focused research and media commentary. BetterBond says his independent, evidence-led approach will help clients and industry partners interpret economic trends affecting residential property and long-term homeownership decisions more effectively.
Brahman Hills wins KZN top business Green Award for second consecutive year
Brahman Hills has secured the Renewable Efficiency & Green Initiatives Award at the KZN Top Business Awards for a second consecutive year. The property operates 85% off-grid, saves an estimated 477 tonnes of CO₂ annually, recycles water, reduces waste and supports biodiversity through extensive planting and beekeeping. Its 22-hectare Serenity Garden will further strengthen conservation, wellness and eco-tourism, reinforcing sustainability as a core part of guest experience at Brahman Hills.
While the country talks about saving, salaried South Africa is missing its payments
South Africa’s household debt crisis is deepening, with overdue unsecured balances rising almost three times faster than borrowing. Siva Dhever says the strain is concentrated among salaried consumers, not only the financially marginalised. He argues Savings Month should focus less on generic saving advice and more on helping households clear arrears early, protect credit records and address financial distress before missed payments trigger penalties, collections and longer-term economic damage nationwide.
NAD malls bring the FIFA World Cup closer to home
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup gathers momentum, New Africa Developments’ community malls are giving shoppers a front-row seat to the action. From Mams Mall to Acornhoek, Dwarsloop and Jumbo Mall, big screens are turning everyday shopping trips into shared football moments. Free, familiar and close to home, these centres continue to serve as places where communities gather, celebrate and belong throughout the tournament as excitement builds across South Africa.
Property auction market poised for 50% growth as Galetti records R328m in May sales
South Africa’s property auction market is evolving beyond traditional sales platforms, driven by data, targeted marketing and stronger industry engagement. Galetti Corporate Real Estate’s move to a new auction venue in Rosebank reflects this shift, creating a more interactive environment for buyers, sellers and investors. With auction activity gaining momentum and transaction volumes growing, success increasingly depends on market intelligence, strategic positioning and relationships that connect the right opportunities with the right buyers.
Reside Summit 2026 proves housing is no longer a siloed conversation
The Reside Summit 2026 highlighted a growing shift in South Africa’s residential property sector: collaboration is becoming essential. Bringing together developers, financiers, municipalities and investors, the summit explored affordable housing, climate-smart development, construction technology and institutional investment. Speakers stressed that solving the country’s housing backlog will require integrated partnerships, scalable delivery models and faster implementation. The message was clear — residential property can no longer operate in fragmented silos.
Hyprop delivers double-digit earnings growth as retail portfolios strengthen
Hyprop Investments delivered a strong FY2026, with distributable income rising 13.7% to R1.72 billion and DIPS up 11.7% to 423 cents per share. Total dividends increased 14.4% to 351.9 cents, while LTV improved to 28.5%. Stronger trading across South Africa and Eastern Europe, lower funding costs and higher property valuations supported performance, with management guiding for 7% to 9% DIPS growth in FY2027 as its growth strategy gains further momentum.
Fortress delivers stronger FY2026 earnings as logistics strategy and balance sheet repositioning pay off
Fortress Real Estate Investments delivered a strong FY2026, with distributable earnings up 14.2% to R2.23 billion and dividends rising 10.1% to 178.80 cents per share. Like-for-like NOI growth reached 8.4% in South African logistics and 7.3% in retail, while LTV improved to 34.0%. With a R4.6 billion development pipeline and stronger portfolio valuations, Fortress enters FY2027 with solid growth momentum.
Estienne de Klerk takes the helm at Growthpoint
Estienne de Klerk has taken over as Group Chief Executive Officer of Growthpoint Properties, succeeding long-serving leader Norbert Sasse. With almost two decades at Growthpoint and extensive experience across listed property, capital markets and corporate strategy, De Klerk brings continuity to the role. His appointment, supported by Group CFO José Snyders, positions the company to strengthen portfolio quality, recycle capital and pursue sustainable growth across its local and international operations.
Levy arrears, AGM reporting and POPIA: How much detail should trustees disclose?
At AGM time, trustees must balance financial transparency with owners’ privacy when reporting levy arrears. PMR 26 requires annual financial statements to show arrears by member and period, while POPIA demands minimal disclosure. A practical, POPIA-compliant approach is to report arrears by section or unit number, highlight total debt, cash flow impact and recovery action, and avoid naming owners unless legally necessary at AGMs overall.
What the R3 million primary residence CGT exclusion means for South African homeowners
South Africa’s 2026/27 Budget introduces a significant tax relief measure for homeowners, increasing the primary residence CGT exclusion from R2 million to R3 million. Effective from 1 March 2026, the change reduces taxable gains on property disposals, reflecting inflationary pressures and rising house prices. While beneficial, accurate record-keeping and professional advice remain essential to fully realise the exemption’s value.
Storing fuel at home poses serious fire and legal risks
South Africans are being warned against stockpiling fuel at home as prices surge, with safety experts cautioning that storing more than regulated limits significantly increases fire risk and insurance exposure. ASP Fire highlights that petrol’s volatility, combined with improper containers, can trigger catastrophic incidents. Non-compliant storage may also void insurance claims, leaving homeowners financially exposed, while posing additional health and environmental hazards.
Click on the cover of the
Rode Retail Report
to view the publication
In this issue, we report that retail sales continued to grow at a slower year-on-year rate in the second quarter of 2026. A factor negatively impacting consumer spending is the slide in real salaries, driven by inflation outpacing wage growth.
Click on the cover of the
Rode Report 2026:2
to view the publication
In this issue, we can report that the South African property market continued its recovery in the second quarter of 2026. Thus far, our survey data shows little impact from the Middle East conflict.
The Middle East remains extremely volatile and uncertain, keeping a lid on financial and property markets. A short-term slowdown is a real risk. Therefore, the markets are waiting for Trump and Iran to reach a final resolution — or waiting for Godot, if you like. The latter refers to Samuel Beckett’s play, which premiered in 1953 and reflects the raw experience of waiting.
Click on the cover of
the new look Rode SA Property Trends to view the publication
In this issue, we report that the outlook for the SA property market is promising under the most likely future scenario. Positive factors include improved investor sentiment towards South Africa and lower interest rates resulting from the country’s new inflation target. However, don’t be overly optimistic, as political uncertainty and a potential fiscal cliff could undermine the medium-term outlook.
