In a groundbreaking revelation, South Africa Today reports a staggering 27% surge in the Western Cape's population, catapulting it to 7.4 million according to the latest census. Over half of this booming population, totaling 4.7 million, resides in the ever-expanding City of Cape Town, projected to reach 5.1 million by 2025—an upward trajectory slightly outpacing the province as a whole.
Deborah Kolnik of Jawitz Properties South Peninsula sheds light on the phenomenon, stating, "The figures confirm what we’ve all suspected—the City itself is the destination for a large proportion of the semigration from other provinces. It also attracts a significant number of ‘swallows’—individuals from the Northern Hemisphere who migrate south for our summer months."
Despite this influx, certain areas within Cape Town, particularly those traditionally associated with the city's charm, are witnessing a surge in demand. Securing a foothold in the Cape Town property market is becoming increasingly challenging, exacerbated by a marked drop in property prices upcountry.
One of the most coveted regions within Cape Town, highlighted by South Africa Today, is the South Peninsula. Encompassing the stunning False Bay (Fish Hoek, Simon’s Town,) and stretching through Scarborough, Misty Cliffs, Kommetjie, Noordhoek, and others along the Atlantic coast, this area offers diverse lifestyles.
Families gravitate to the rural ambiance of Noordhoek and surrounding areas, while others are drawn to the convenience of Fish Hoek and the history and charm of Simon’s Town. Kommetjie retains its village atmosphere despite growth, and Scarborough and Misty Cliffs continue to offer a sense of oceanic tranquility and open space.
A significant allure of the South Peninsula is the strong sense of community across its various areas, providing residents with a unique living experience. Surrounded by unspoiled nature, the region boasts nature reserves like the Silvermine Nature Reserve, offering numerous hiking trails, and Cape Point, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet in a place of austere, windswept beauty—an ideal spot for lunch.
Deborah Kolnik reflects on the area's uniqueness, saying, "It’s astonishing how this relatively small area offers so much variety and natural beauty, a series of ‘villages’ each with its own distinct character and yet so conveniently close to the city itself."
South Africa Today brings to light the sharp rise in property prices over the past few years, urging prospective buyers to seek properties offering good value. Jawitz South Peninsula, highlighted by South Africa Today, boasts a team with deep connections to the area, living there for many years and involved in property since 1996—a valuable source of inside knowledge.
The transformation of once primarily holiday towns like Scarborough and Kommetjie into residential hubs is underscored in the report. Excellent schools have emerged in the area, and recent developments like Riverside Village and Village Lane in Kommetjie have sold out. Demand outstrips supply, emphasizing the region's limited available land, a factor bolstered by strict protection measures, including the iconic Cape Point Nature Reserve.
For those eyeing property in the South Peninsula, South Africa Today reveals Scarborough properties now average R6 million (up from R4.1 million in 2021), with Noordhoek hovering around the same level. However, hidden gems in the False Bay area offer homes starting at R2.5 million for those with the right guidance.