Bloemhof shines, malls adapt, property looks steady
In this edition we unpack how Bloemhof's 2025 Kwêla Dorp van die Jaar win - rooted in civic pride and renewal - can translate into stronger property fundamentals over time, and how the other finalists compare. We unpack Lightstone Retail's finding of a stark mall-access divide, signalling untapped demand. Lightstone's HPI sits at 4.5% year-on-year nationally, with the Western Cape ahead of Gauteng and KZN. Plus, an opportunity to earn rewards by referring a colleague or industry peer to Lightstone's Property Toolkit.
Flower power
Bloemhof has been crowned the 2025 Kwêla Dorp van die Jaar, with judges praising the town's strong sense of community and resilience. The North West town, situated on the Vaal River, triumphed over eight contenders including Wilderness, Pennington, and Port Alfred. While Bloemhof's property fundamentals currently trail behind coastal towns with strong tourism sectors, its renewed community pride could lay the foundation for improved property values in the future. Lightstone reviewed the property data of the eight South African finalists to assess the degree to which these fundamentals correspond with the ranking of the top four towns.
Read MoreDesigning for the underserved
Lightstone Retail's data reveals a stark divide in mall access across South Africa. Nearly half of low-income households live beyond 5km of a grocery-anchored mall, while affluent households enjoy abundant options nearby. This access gap highlights untapped retail demand in underserved communities. With the right tenant mix, format innovation, and localised convenience, retailers can capture spend potential by meeting people where they live, not asking them to travel further.
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House price inflation at 4.5% year-on-year
Lightstone's latest HPI puts national house price inflation at 4.5% year-on-year. The Western Cape continues to outperform Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, with provincial momentum broadly stable since last month amid steady demand. By value band, annual inflation has softened: Mid-Value is at 3.6%, High-Value is at 4.9%, Luxury is at 6.2%, and Low-Value is at 5.4%. Overall, growth is positive but uneven - higher-end segments are holding up better than the mid-market, while lower-value stock cools from earlier highs.
View or download the reportGet rewarded for referrals
Are you a Property Professional who loves using Lightstone's Property Toolkit? Now you can share it with your colleagues and industry peers to earn rewards! Simply refer an Estate Agent or Property Professional to Lightstone, and when they subscribe, you will receive a special thank-you gift. The individuals you refer will get access to powerful property insights, comprehensive reports, and market trends to support smarter decisions - just like you already do.
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