Equites drives growth through SA focus and resilience
Equites delivered a disciplined first half to FY26, lifting the interim dividend 3.8% to 69.04c and reaffirming full-year guidance of 140.62–143.29c. Operational momentum stayed firm: like-for-like rentals rose 5.1%, vacancies were negligible, and valuations advanced 4.0%. The Group progressed its UK exit—selling Burgess Hill at a 5.0% yield—and is redeploying into South African, ESG-compliant logistics, including an approximately 90,000m² Riverfields project, supported by liquidity and a hedged, lower cost of debt.
Construction Starts on The Granger: R2bn mixed-use anchor to redefine Cape Town’s western waterfront
Construction has officially begun on The Granger, a landmark R2-billion mixed-use development next to Cape Town’s DHL Stadium. Positioned between the CBD and the Atlantic Seaboard, the project will deliver a 190-room international hotel, 200 apartments, premium offices and retail space, creating a vibrant new urban destination. Developers Devmark and Feenstra say The Granger will integrate the precinct, boost tourism, and complement the stadium’s year-round activity.
Gauteng is still SA’s commercial property sector powerhouse
Gauteng’s commercial property market is showing renewed vitality, with occupancies rising and rentals firming in prime nodes such as Sandton, Rosebank and Bryanston. Many previously under-let buildings are now near full occupancy as businesses return to physical workplaces. Driven by demand for high-quality, amenity-rich spaces, this trend is improving rental values and property valuations, signalling a return to strong fundamentals in South Africa’s financial hub.
Spier’s exclusive villas redefine country luxury
Nestled along the Eerste River, Spier’s new Garden and Riverside Villas redefine Winelands luxury through privacy, craftsmanship, and connection to nature. Designed by Jacques Erasmus and Paul Luck, each villa blends heritage architecture, local artistry, and rewilded fynbos gardens with the comfort of private pools, dedicated service teams, and artisanal interiors. More than accommodation, the villas embody Spier’s philosophy of slow, soulful hospitality — where every detail tells a Cape story.
President Square Vaal Shopping Centre welcomes new tenants and sports a new look
President Square Vaal Shopping Centre in Vanderbijlpark has officially reopened following a major redevelopment by the Bentel Group. The revitalised 31,000m² centre introduces 6,800m² of new retail space, 32 new stores, and sustainability upgrades including solar power. Anchored by the 13,800m² President Hyper, the mall now offers expanded fashion, food, and value retail options. The project created about 800 local jobs, redefining shopping in the Vaal region.
Growing tenant risk signals emerging pressure on household budgets despite strong rental growth
South Africa’s rental market is showing strong growth but rising tenant risk, according to the latest TPN Residential Rental Monitor. Despite record rental escalations above inflation, household budgets are tightening and non-payment is edging higher. TPN’s Waldo Marcus warns that landlords face mounting exposure as tenants increasingly rely on credit, underscoring the need for real-time tenant monitoring and data-driven risk management heading into 2026.
Lifelong learning is key to relevance in today’s marketplace
Wits Plus, the University of the Witwatersrand’s continuing education hub, offers professionals and organisations hundreds of short courses to stay ahead in a fast-changing world. From AI to environmental law, these multidisciplinary, Wits-certified programmes provide accessible, flexible learning that promotes professional relevance and socio-economic opportunity. “A skill that’s essential today is obsolete tomorrow,” says CEO Natalie Zimmelman. “Are you ready for what 2026 expects of you?”
Optimism returns to South Africa’s housing market
ooba Home Loans’ Q3 2025 oobarometer signals renewed confidence in South Africa’s property market, with total home loan applications up 10% year-on-year. CEO Rhys Dyer says easing rates and strong bank competition are driving market resilience. Approval rates have risen to 83.9% (91% for pre-qualified buyers), while house prices climbed 4.4% to R1.67 million on average. First-time buyers accounted for 46.8% of all applications.
Is Cape Town property becoming too expensive for locals?
In the first five months of 2025, international buyers spent over R1 billion on Cape Town property, including record sales of R66 million in Clifton and R52 million in Bishopscourt, reaffirming the city’s global luxury status. Yet, as prices surge—up 160% since 2010—concerns grow over affordability for locals. Experts highlight foreign demand, good governance, and limited land as key drivers, while new taxes, Airbnb regulation, and innovative financing aim to restore market accessibility.
Signals of stability: Confidence returning to SA’s property sector
After a decade of uncertainty, South Africa’s property sector is showing signs of renewed stability. Lower inflation targeting, the country’s anticipated exit from the FATF greylist, and a possible sovereign credit ratings upgrade in 2026 are improving sentiment and restoring investor confidence. Together, these developments could reduce funding costs, attract new capital, and create a more predictable environment for long-term growth — a foundation on which resilient property leaders like Redefine continue to build.
Georgina Smit Announced as New Ceo of Green Building Council South Africa
The Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) has announced Georgina Smit as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective May 2026, succeeding Lisa Reynolds. The announcement, made at the 18th annual Green Building Convention in Cape Town, marks a pivotal leadership transition. Smit, currently GBCSA’s Head of Technical, is a respected sustainability leader committed to advancing green building, ESG, and climate resilience across South Africa’s built environment.
Nedbank to decarbonise 26 branches with Growthpoint’s pioneering renewable energy certificates for tenants
Nedbank has become one of South Africa’s first businesses to offset carbon emissions through Growthpoint Properties’ renewable energy certificates (RECs), marking a major milestone in corporate decarbonisation. By offsetting Scope 2 emissions across 26 branches in Growthpoint-owned malls and offices, Nedbank gains auditable access to clean, certified power. The partnership showcases how landlords and tenants can jointly achieve carbon neutrality and drive South Africa’s transition toward a low-carbon economy.
Dipula Properties: discipline, diversification and durable growth
Dipula Properties has delivered another strong performance, with distributable earnings up 5% to 57.26 cents per share and portfolio value rising to R10.8 billion. CEO Izak Petersen says disciplined capital allocation and a focus on efficient, community-based retail and logistics assets underpin sustainable growth. With gearing reduced to 29% post-year-end and a 7% earnings uplift forecast for 2026, Dipula continues to outperform through resilience, efficiency, and strategic focus.
Emira’s capital recycling underpins stable half-year gains and improved portfolio metrics
Emira Property Fund delivered stable half-year results up to 30 September 2025, supported by strong South African fundamentals, strategic capital recycling, and solid international performance. DIPS increased by 1.9% to 64.83c, NAV per share rose to R20.96, and vacancies improved across all sectors. With R746 million in disposals, a growing stake in SA Corporate, and strong contributions from the US and Poland, Emira bolstered its balance sheet and reaffirmed its FY2026 growth targets.
REITs shine in Sunday Times Top 100 Companies as sector momentum builds
South Africa’s REIT sector has delivered a standout performance, with Dipula Properties, Fairvest, and Vukile Property Fund ranking in the top five of the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies 2025. Their success signals renewed investor confidence and the sector’s strong recovery. According to SA REIT Association CEO Joanne Solomon, disciplined capital allocation and resilient earnings underpin this resurgence, positioning listed property as a key driver of long-term portfolio growth.
Redefine ends FY2025 with a stronger outlook as confidence improves and the greylisting exit boosts prospects
Redefine Properties ended FY2025 with a strong balance sheet and renewed confidence, reporting a 7.8% increase in distributable income and a higher operating profit margin of 76.2%. CEO Andrew König cited South Africa’s exit from the FATF greylist and rising business confidence as key tailwinds. With retail and industrial assets performing strongly, LTV reduced to 40.6%, and nine net-zero buildings achieved, Redefine is poised for sustainable growth into FY2026.
Clearwater Mall secures South Africa’s first Walmart Store
Clearwater Mall, owned by Hyprop Investments, will host South Africa’s first Walmart store — a major retail milestone for the West Rand. The new store introduces Walmart’s global “Every Day Low Prices” model, creating over 80 new jobs and boosting local supplier partnerships. Offering everything from groceries to electronics, the store will anchor Clearwater’s retail mix and strengthen its position as a key regional shopping destination.
SPAR Health expands national footprint with acquisition of Aptekor Group
SPAR Health, a subsidiary of The SPAR Group, has acquired Western Cape-based pharmaceutical wholesaler Aptekor Group, marking a key milestone in its national expansion strategy. The deal strengthens SPAR Health’s ability to support independent pharmacies through its Pharmacy at SPAR network, now 125 stores strong and set to double within three years. The acquisition enhances supply reliability, market reach, and SPAR’s mission to make quality healthcare accessible to all South Africans.
Green buildings outperform as GBCSA launches training of next-generation certification tool
The Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) has launched Green Star New Build V2, a next-generation certification framework for new and refurbished buildings. The updated tool aligns local property standards with global ESG benchmarks, broadening the definition of sustainable development to include carbon, resilience, health, and inclusivity. Backed by major industry players like Balwin Properties and the V&A Waterfront, it equips professionals to design future-ready, high-performing, and socially responsive buildings.
Teraco Connect foundation extends grant to continue SABEN support
Teraco, a Digital Realty company, has extended its support grant to the South African Broadband Education Networks (SABEN) for another five years, taking its total investment to R17.5 million through 2030. The grant, issued via the Teraco Connect Foundation, aims to eliminate bandwidth poverty across public TVET colleges and schools. By expanding SABEN’s digital infrastructure and access to Platform Teraco, the initiative enhances remote learning, digital transformation, and education equity nationwide.
Renishaw Hills celebrates KZN south coast retaining highest number of Blue Flag beaches in KZN
Umdoni Municipality is celebrating international recognition as the KZN South Coast once again leads the province with the most Blue Flag beaches — eight fully accredited and six with Pilot status. Among them, Pennington Beach has retained its Blue Flag accolade, while four Umdoni beaches achieved Pilot recognition. This milestone underscores the region’s growing appeal for tourism and investment, aligning with Renishaw Property Developments’ vision for sustainable, world-class coastal living.
SA’s next wave of green entrepreneurs takes root
Ten South African entrepreneurs have been selected for the 2025 Green Seeds Competition, a sustainability-focused accelerator co-created by Attacq and Property Point. The 12-month programme nurtures black-owned small businesses developing innovative green solutions for the built environment. Participants gain mentorship, pilot opportunities, and access to Attacq’s property portfolio. According to Attacq CEO Jackie van Niekerk, the initiative embodies “corporate co-creation” — linking innovation, transformation, and sustainability to build South Africa’s green economy.
Pretoria estates surge on demand from wealthy buyers and tenants
Pretoria remains one of Africa’s wealthiest cities, with demand for estate living driving exceptional property value growth. According to Seeff and Lightstone, estate sales make up over 20% of Tshwane’s total transactions, with freehold prices averaging R2.5m–R6.5m. Top estates such as Woodhill, Silver Lakes, and Mooikloof have seen price growth of up to 37%, with rentals reaching R95,000 per month as high-net-worth buyers seek secure, luxury lifestyles.
Schneider Electric’s Youth Education & Entrepreneurship Programme reaches over 38,000 youths in Anglophone Africa
The Schneider Electric Foundation’s Youth Education & Entrepreneurship Programme has trained over 824,000 youths globally, including 38,000 in Anglophone Africa. Through partnerships and initiatives like F’SASEC and Enactus, the programme empowers young people and women with energy, technical, and entrepreneurial skills, aiming to reach 1 million trainees by 2025.
South Africa’s Public Investment Corporation commits to Africa50
Africa50, the pan-African infrastructure investor and asset manager, has announced that the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), representing the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) of South Africa, has made an investment of $40 million, becoming its 36th shareholder.
Transforming European living spaces: Investment insights
As the European living sector continues its strong recovery, investor sentiment is improving, and transaction volumes are rising across key markets. Cushman & Wakefield’s European Living Capital Markets Update for H2 2024 provides an in-depth analysis of the latest investment trends in Private Rented Sector (PRS), Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), and senior living markets.
Maximising property investment: Understanding South Africa’s UDZ tax incentive
The Urban Development Zone (UDZ) incentive, established under section 13quat of the Income Tax Act, offers accelerated depreciation allowances to investors redeveloping properties within designated city zones. By reducing taxable income and improving cash flow, the incentive stimulates private investment in urban renewal. Extended to 2030, it continues to drive inner-city regeneration, with Cape Town alone attracting over R6.7 billion in development claims since its introduction — a proven catalyst for sustainable economic growth.
Does a mixed-use building with residential and commercial components require an EPC?
With the 7 December 2025 deadline approaching, owners of mixed-use buildings must assess whether parts of their properties require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Under South Africa’s EPC Regulations, commercial components exceeding 2,000 m², clearly separable from residential areas, and accounting for more than 10% of total energy use must display an EPC. Hotels (H1, H5 classifications) are exempt, but mixed-use properties require separate assessments for compliance.
New CSOS practice directive: What community schemes need to know
The Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) has issued a new Practice Directive tightening governance and compliance requirements for bodies corporate and homeowners’ associations. The directive strengthens oversight, transparency, and enforcement across community schemes, empowering CSOS to intervene earlier and impose penalties for non-compliance. Trustees and managing agents face greater accountability, while owners benefit from stronger protections—marking a decisive step toward professionalising community scheme governance in South Africa.
STUDENT ACCESS
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Rode Retail Report
to view the publication
In this edition, we report that retail sales rose significantly in the last quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter a year earlier. This increase was driven by a slowdown in inflation, reduced interest rates, and two-pot retirement withdrawals. Regarding the availability of shopping space, Rode’s data indicates that the new supply of malls will rise sharply in 2025, reaching the highest level since 2019.
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the Rode Report 2024:4 to view the publication
It’s been quite a dynamic start to 2025, hasn’t it? With Donald Trump back in the spotlight, his policies and statements have undoubtedly stirred the pot on the global stage, and even South Africa has faced criticism.
What are we to make of all the noise?
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the new look Rode SA Property Trends to view the publication
Welcome to another issue of Rode SA Property Trends. This publication provides a six-year outlook for the South African property sector until 2029, using two macroeconomic scenarios.
The SAPOA Property Development Awards for Innovative Excellence are designed to recognise and celebrate the exceptional buildings that are transforming South Africa’s architectural landscape.
These prestigious awards highlight properties that exemplify innovation, sustainability, and cutting-edge design while contributing to the country’s urban and economic growth.
By honoring these landmark buildings, the awards showcase outstanding architectural achievements and underscore the role of the property sector in shaping a more dynamic, resilient, and future-forward South Africa.
CLOSING DATE IS 19 MAY
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