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AREA INFO DURBAN BEREA OVERVIEW
That's the southern fringe of Greyville Racecourse - the north leads to Morningside,
where Florida and Windermere Roads are lined with Victorian cottages and buildings
restored to their colonial glory and transformed into trendy taverns, restaurants,
antique shops and decor- emporia. Your first encounter, though, will be a century-old
church housing Durban's newest theatre. Sympathetically restored by the retired
head of Natal University's Drama Department, Pieter Scholtz, the historically-listed
building now incorporates an auditorium, courtyard for outdoor performances,
bar and coffee shop. Named KwaSuka - from the Zulu equivalent of 'Once upon
a time...' regular productions include many award-winning fringe plays, plus
ongoing seasons of children's theatre and puppet extravaganzas.
DURBAN NORTH / UMHLANGA OVERVIEWOn the northern side of the city are the Umgeni River Mouth and the up-market area of Durban North. Just north of the city is Umhlanga, a popular holiday area noted for its fine beaches, surrounding environment and excellent leisure and shopping centres.
The area used to be part of a coastal dune forest system many years ago and provided sanctuary to a multitude of bird and wildlife species of which many can still be found in bird, marine, and wildlife preserves in and around the area today. This seaside resort of Umhlanga was originally part of the sugar estate of Sir Marshall Campbell, who introduced the colourful rickshaws to Durban’s beachfront. When a track was made from Mount Edgecombe to Umhlanga Rocks, the area became popular with the local farmers who leased small plots on the shoreline of the ocean and built vacation cottages. In 1931 Umhlanga Rocks became a village and additional cottages, hotels, guest houses and stores were built. The first beach cottage, the Oyster Box, was built in 1869 and became the present day Oyster Box Hotel. The tin roof of this cottage was used as a navigational beacon, until the automatic lighthouse was built in 1953. The Natal coast is Great White Shark territory and in the late 1950’s a number of serious shark attacks occurred, so in 1962 the first shark nets were erected. Now you can swim in safety and sunbathe on the glorious beaches.
NATAL MIDLANDSThe Natal Midlands and the Drakensberg
Country Properties There is, however, a wide selection of smaller country estates, mainly from 20 to 80 hectares in extent. These will be of particular interest to investors who may not wish to farm commercially but seek an easy-going country life-style in an attractive, well appointed property where they can relax and enjoy horse riding, fishing, hobby farming or just plain loafing. These properties range from quite modestly priced smallholdings to properties falling unashamedly into the category of "gentleman's luxury estate" In recent years the popularity of the Midlands Meander has also created an increased demand for properties suitable for use by artists and crafters or for conversion to country restaurants, guest-houses or wedding and conference venues. The high concentration of excellent private schools in the area has also motivated many parents to invest in property in the Midlands. Natal Midlands and the Drakensberg - The Advantages
Living in the Natal Midlands doesn't mean being cut off from the rest of the world. We're a mere four hours by car, (less than an hour's flying time), from the commercial hub of Johannesburg and only an hour's drive from the cosmopolitan port of Durban. Language is no problem either; English is universally spoken and state of the art information technology brings the world to our doorstep. So you see, when you invest in real estate in the Natal Midlands, you really can relax in old fashioned country comfort while you enjoy the best of both worlds! South African Real Estate is Cheap
Well, South Africa and more specifically, the Natal Midlands, is the place! The relative weakness of the South African Rand has reduced the price of good quality country properties, calculated in almost any other currency, to derisory levels. Here, in one of most beautiful and stable regions of Southern Africa, 50 acre smallholdings can still be purchased for as little as £30,000 and an investment of R200,000 will purchase an absolutely superb country estate! The range of properties for sale is extremely wide and given the price of such properties calculated in Pounds, Dollars or Euros, no one should be surprised that sales to overseas buyers, many of whom are youthful pensioners, are now at record levels. What could be better than spending at least part of the bitter European winter in the warmth and relaxed atmosphere of the Natal Midlands summer? It's cheaper, and a lot more fun, than staying at home! For foreign nationals there are few restrictions to purchasing property in South Africa. Purchasers who are not citizens and who do not have permanent residence may buy outright for cash. Applicants for permanent residence who can prove on-going income and verify that they already have funds in transit to SA may qualify for a mortgage bond for up to 50% of the value of a property they wish to buy. The vast majority of properties in SA are held under freehold title and the process of purchase is simple and quick. The contract is normally drawn by the seller's estate agent, although purchasers may also nominate a buyer's agent to purchase property on their behalf. Intending purchasers should be aware, however, that a written offer, once accepted by the seller, becomes a binding legal document. It is wise, therefore, to choose your agent carefully!  The
cost of living and maintaining property in South Africa is comparatively low.
On transactions up to R500, 000 no transfer duty is payable. From R500, 001 to
R1,000, 000 duty of 5% of the value above R500,000 becomes payable and from R1,000,
001 and above R25,000 plus 8% of the value above R1,000,000 is payable. These
rates apply for sales to a "natural person" only and property registered
in the name of a company, close corporation or trust attracts duty at a flat rate
of 10%. In certain cases, such as the sale of a property and related business
as a going concern, the purchaser may escape paying either transfer duty or VAT.
Legislation now under consideration by Parliament may in future require that a
duty of 8% becomes payable on all transactions other than sales to a natural person.
These issues are complex and purchasers should seek professional advice before
entering into a contract.
There are currently no municipal or other land taxes on country property although such a system is proposed for implementation at some time in the future. Labour and maintenance costs are extremely reasonable by any other standards and our electricity is among the cheapest in the world. Many country properties already have reliable, long-serving, resident staff who are excellent caretakers and owners may therefore feel confident in leaving their properties untenanted for long periods of time.
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Facing
away from the sea, you can't help but notice the prominent ridge overlooking
Durban, more or less parallel with the shoreline. Durban's oldest natural attraction
- the Botanic Gardens - is but a short stroll away. Established in 1851 and
renowned for the finest collection of botanic species anywhere in Africa, the
indigenous and exotic trees are now huge...and attract as much attention as
the Orchid House display. Birds are everywhere, including the tea garden...where
it's considered 'impolite' to not share your cream scones with the 'cheeky little
fellows' hopping about among the tables!
Florida
Road leads ultimately to Mitchell Park, a large and tree- filled family favourite
that boasts a magnificent aviary complex and colony of tortoise that certainly
appear to be as old as Durban itself! And here, too, on the restaurant's wide
patio, you'll meet feathered friends that cock a longing glance at your chef's
recommendation... Driving south from Mitchell Park along the ridge crest you'll
pass many grand, colonial-era homes set in lush, sub-tropical gardens with commanding
views of the city. One of these - a neo-Cape homestead - is the Killie Campbell
Museum that houses a renowned private collection of Africana. Once the home
of sugar baron Sir Marshal Campbell, this gracious residence contains a Furniture
Museum, a Museum of Ethnology and an Africana Library...plus a truly remarkable
selection of contemporary South African art.
A
couple of kilometres further along, the green surrounds of Bulwer Park welcome
you to KNSA Gallery's new, custom-designed premises. Three separate exhibition
spaces are augmented by the indoor/outdoor Arts Caf and a gift shop filled with
unusual, hand-crafted delights. Natal University's Durban campus lies a few
kilometres beyond, and its Sneddon Theatre regularly presents high quality stage
productions that range from Shakespeare to ballet and mime. Music ventures include
avant garde electronica, African jazz and township jive with poetry and prose
festivals taking place campus-side at the Centre for Creative Arts. 
Umhlanga
means "Place of Reeds" in the Zulu language, referring to the beds
of reeds that accumulate on the banks of the Ohlanga river a few Kilometers
North of present day Umhlanga Rocks. 
Just
15 minutes north of Durban, Durban North and Umhlanga have become the playgrounds
of the young and old who visit this Indian Ocean resort to experience miles
of attractive beaches and an array of sophisticated shopping malls. In spite
of Umhlanga's phenomenal growth rate, much of its village ambience has been
retained and Umhlanga has become a premier holiday resort for sun worshippers
and fun seekers alike. The Gateway Shopping and Entertainment Centre, is the
largest shopping and entertainment centre in the Southern Hemisphere. 
Rising
in the south towards the majestic Drakensberg range, this unspoilt upland area
of hills, woods, lakes and streams is very reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands
- a similarity which no doubt accounts for many of the romantic-sounding place
names and the local addiction to trout fishing, golf and convivial hospitality!
Primarily an agricultural area, the Midlands offers visitors unrivalled facilities
for eco-tourism activities such as hill walking, game viewing and birding. Fishing,
wing shooting, horse riding and polo are also popular. For the less active,
the fascinating Midlands Meander, one of the country's premier arts, crafts
and hospitality routes, provides pleasurable opportunities for more leisurely
pursuits.
The Natal Midlands is noted for its temperate climate and lush pastures.
This has enabled the owners of larger commercial farms to raise some of the
finest beef and dairy cattle in Africa. The area is also home to internationally
renowned thoroughbred horse studs which attract owners and breeders from many
overseas countries, most notably from the Arabian Gulf. These highly commercial
agricultural properties range in size from about 500 up to 10, 000 hectares
or more and a number, which have period homesteads of historic interest, have
been in the uninterrupted possession of the original settler families since
the early 1800's.
The
Natal Midlands, an area of great tranquility, pleasant climate and outstanding
natural beauty, is located within easy reach of many of South Africa's finest
tourist attractions. These include the "big five" game lodges of northern
Zululand, the National Parks of the awe-inspiring Drakensberg, the historic
Battlefields of the Boer and Anglo-Zulu Wars and the sub-tropical beaches and
sparkling waters of the Natal coast renowned for their excellent diving and
sport fishing facilities. 
Now
that the average price of a London property is over £250,000 and it is
virtually impossible to purchase a country property of any quality for less
than £350,000, where can one find an attractive country estate of 200
acres with a substantial farmhouse, stables and several well stocked trout dams
for a mere £100,000?