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Cape Town’s property surge: boom times, big challenges

Moderator Rael Levitt with Jacques Van Embden (Blok), Quintin Rossi (Spear REIT Limited), Samuel Seeff (Seeff Property Group) and Rael Phillips (Totalstay)

Cape Town’s residential property market has been on a remarkable growth trajectory, with industrial and office spaces also reaping benefits. This was the clear takeaway from a recent United Jewish Campaign (UJC) Business Breakfast event, sponsored by the Seeff Property Group and moderated by Inospace founder and CEO, Rael Levitt.

Yet, alongside the upbeat news, speakers acknowledged the strain this boom is placing on residents – from affordability pressures to mounting traffic congestion. While significant, they agreed these challenges remain solvable with thoughtful planning and continued investment.

A demand-driven market

“Demand for residential properties is completely outstripping supply,” said Jacques Van Embden, founder and CEO of Blok. This imbalance has driven substantial price increases across the metro, with no signs of slowing.

Semigration continues to be the major engine of growth. Van Embden noted that, while hard numbers are difficult to pin down, retail data suggests that roughly 35 000 families moved to Cape Town in the last year, many from Gauteng. “Cape Town has never seen an inflow like this,” he said.

Initially concentrated along the Atlantic Seaboard, demand has now spilled across the city – especially the Southern Suburbs, which had previously experienced slower growth. More affordable outlying areas, including towns like Malmesbury and Durbanville, are seeing heightened activity, too.

Still, rising prices may soon test the limits of affordability for semigrants themselves. With average property values increasing roughly 8% in the past year, Chairperson of the Seeff Property Group, Samuel Seeff, cautioned that, “Cape Town is even becoming expensive for buyers from Johannesburg.”

Tourism and investment fuel the fire

Home purchases aren’t just for relocation. Many buyers – local and international – see Cape Town as a prime investment hub, particularly for rental and tourism-focused accommodation.

“Around 26 000 Airbnb-style units currently operate in Cape Town,” said Rael Phillips, CEO and co-founder of Totalstay. This number swells to over
30 000 during peak season, and Philips expects another 5 000 units to come online within two years. He also noted the growing popularity of aparthotels – a global trend now taking hold locally.

Tourism-driven rentals are sometimes blamed for pushing locals out of the property market. But Seeff argued strongly for embracing the sector. “Tourism is essential for job creation and economic growth,” he said. He pointed out that, while South Africa attracts around eight million tourists annually, countries like Italy receive that number every month. “Our potential is enormous.”

Cape Town’s winter season is even beginning to heat up, with more visitors – especially from the Middle East – seeking to escape extreme heat at home. Many of these tourists not only spend freely but also invest in local property. “It’s very affordable for them,” he added.

Infrastructure and governance: key to sustainability

While the market outlook remains bright, panellists stressed that infrastructure and governance must keep pace.

Quintin Rossi, co-founder and CEO of Spear Reit Limited, praised the Western Cape government for steps like taking over Metrorail’s Central Line – a vital piece of the city’s transport puzzle. But he cautioned that this needs to be just the beginning. Transport investment and mobility planning must accelerate if Cape Town is to manage swelling demand without crippling traffic congestion.

Another sticking point is the slow pace of municipal approvals for new developments. “Developers want to respond to demand by building more units, but delays in approvals hold us back,” Van Embden said. Faster, more efficient planning processes would allow much-needed new housing to come online, easing pressure on prices.

Rossi also raised concerns about municipal rates. He warned that residents in certain areas are being priced out of their homes because property rates have become excessively high. “We must ensure that rates collection doesn’t come at the cost of community stability,” he said.

Looking ahead

The biggest risk to Cape Town’s property trajectory, according to panellists, is supply – or lack thereof. Without accelerated development approvals and infrastructure investment, the market risks losing momentum.

Political stability also plays a role. A future shift in local government priorities – in particular in the event of a change in political control of the Province – could impact tourism strategy and residential construction. Speakers cautioned that policies unsupportive of development and tourism could undermine the city’s progress.

Still, optimism dominated the conversation. Cape Town’s lifestyle appeal, expanding international reputation, and economic momentum continue to set it apart as one of the most attractive regions in South Africa – and increasingly, on the African continent.

The challenge now, the panel concluded, is ensuring the city grows with intention: improving transport systems, streamlining development processes, and planning for inclusive, sustainable neighbourhoods that can support both local residents and new arrivals.

As Cape Town evolves, the message from industry leaders was clear: the boom presents an extraordinary opportunity, but thoughtful, proactive management will determine whether the Mother City remains both a world-class destination and a place its longtime residents can continue to call home. ●

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WIZO: Women of light, courage, and new beginnings 

WIZO South Africa

As we approach Chanukkah, our festival of courage and illumination, we are reminded of who we are as a people.  

Hanukkah is not simply about the oil that lasted eight nights. It is the story of defiance in the face of persecution, of hope forged under pressure, of light insisting on shining despite every attempt to extinguish it. 

It is the story of triumph, our triumph. 

As we step into a new year and welcome the new season, we are reminded of the enduring truth that has carried our people through every generation: when our people stand together, we do not merely witness change… we create it. 

Across more than a century, the Women’s International Zionist Organisation (WIZO) has embodied that strength. It has been the heartbeat of women who rise, build, repair, uplift, and nurture, women who refuse to accept despair as a final chapter, who insist on writing hope into the lives of every child, every mother, every family who turns to us. 

In Israel, our homes for vulnerable women and children turn safety into a pathway for healing. It is there in our day care centres, where the next generation is held with tenderness and possibility. It is alive in every empowerment programme, where dignity is restored and futures are rebuilt. 

So much of our impact begins quietly, with one conversation, one idea, one fundraiser, one act of kindness. Yet these small beginnings ripple far beyond what our eyes can see.  

Our world often looks for success in size or numbers, but we all know there is a deeper truth: Impact is measured in compassion. Greatness is measured in courage. Legacy is measured in love.  

We are a people of victory, resilience, and unwavering might. We are a people who rebuild even when others expect us to break. We are a people who choose light, again and again. 

As we enter 2026, may we continue to begin boldly, joyfully, and proudly.  

WIZO wishes every member of our cherished community a bright, hopeful, and meaningful 2026. May it be a year of strength, renewal, and continued triumph. 

Chag Hanukkah Sameach. Am Yisrael chai! 

With love, 
Shelley Trope-Friedman 
President, WIZO South Africa

Website: WIZO South Africa

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Save the date: Care Services AGM

9 December 2025 | 17h00-18h30

Care Services info@careservices.org.za

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November 2025

Here is your November 2025 Digital Edition. Click here for PDF view.

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Footprints

Reina Spiegel’s Diary

A selection of films on the Holocaust – 25, 26 and 27 November 2025

Cape Town Holocaust and Genocide Centre: https://ctholocaust.co.za/, admin@holocaust.org.za

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Spes Bona: A legacy of hope, restored to glory

Members of the Board of Governors with communal leaders, Rabbi Feldman and others at the mezuzah ceremony

A select group from the Cape Town Jewish community’s Board of Governors and other leaders recently attended a ceremony to put up a mezuzah to bless a new facility prior to residents moving in.

When a mezuzah was affixed to the doorway of Spes Bona on a bright September morning, it marked more than the opening of a new residence. It marked the rebirth of a historic landmark, a place that has stood for over a century, and now stands renewed as a home of dignity and compassion for the aged of our community.

“For we Jews, this period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a time of judgement. But we can rest assured that Hashem will judge our community well for what has been achieved here,” reflected Rabbi Osher Feldman, Chair of the Rabbinical Association of the Western Cape, as he blessed the doorway of the restored building.

Built in 1915, Spes Bona had long stood as a silent witness to generations past, once a women’s residence, later a home for university students. But after more than a century, time had taken its toll. The once stately building had fallen into a state of neglect and disrepair, its grandeur fading, its potential dormant. That is, until Jewish Community Services stepped forward, not merely to purchase a property, but to preserve a legacy and restore a purpose.

Under the leadership of Paul Berman, Chair of Care Services, and with the steadfast support of Philip Krawitz, outgoing Chair of the Board of Governors, and donors, an ambitious vision took shape: to create a sanctuary for the aged, a place of warmth, care, and belonging, rooted in our community’s timeless values of compassion and respect.

“This building stood proud once, but it had lost its way,” Paul reflected. “We saw in Spes Bona a chance to give it back its soul, to restore its dignity, and to let it once again serve those who need it most.”

The transformation of Spes Bona is nothing short of remarkable. What was once derelict has become magnificent once more, a seamless blend of historic grace and modern comfort.

Every inch of the building was renewed. A new roof replaced the old asbestos tiles; a new lift shaft now provides accessibility to all floors; and new electrical and plumbing systems bring the property up to the highest safety standards.

Inside, every room – 53 in total – has been refurbished, each one infused with warmth and light. Modern bathrooms, wheelchair-accessible facilities, and two fully equipped kosher kitchens (for meat and milk) ensure comfort, respect, and observance.

The gardens, once steep and unusable, have been transformed into terraced green spaces supported by gabion walls, serene, accessible areas where residents can stroll, sit, and take in the breathtaking view of Lion’s Head.

A solar system with battery backup ensures that the home remains powered and sustainable, while a new clinic, administrative offices, and security systems provide safety and care.

“It’s not just a building,” said Hazel Levin, COO of Care Services. “It’s a home, a real home, for 44 residents who until now had nowhere to go. Today, they have a place to belong, to be cared for, and to live with pride.”

The unveiling ceremony highlighted the effort, dedication, and vision that made this transformation possible. An official opening event is scheduled for 9 November 2025 once all residents have moved in.

“This project is a triumph of heart and purpose,” Paul Berman concluded. “In restoring Spes Bona, we did more than revive a building. We revived dignity. We revived belonging. And we reminded ourselves that the greatness of a community is measured by how it treats those who need it most. This is a gift from our generation to the next, proving that when compassion meets conviction, even the most neglected places can shine again in all their majesty. This of course would not have been possible without the extraordinary donations received, but we still have a way to go to cover the shortfall.”

L to R Marco van Embden, Philip Krawitz, Paul Berman, Alan Silverman
A peek inside the magnificent property
Spes Bona interior
Philip Krawitz, Hazel Levin of Jewish Community Services, Paul Berman
Hazel Levin of Jewish Community Services, Paul Berman and Rabbi Feldman affix the mezuzah
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Helene Joffe – I Never Said Goodbye – film premiere

Cape Town Holocaust and Genocide Centre: https://ctholocaust.co.za/, admin@holocaust.org.za

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Olive Tree House offers safety and tranquility for our children

October saw the official opening of a new care centre in the Cape Town Jewish community, geared to provide a home away from home for children in vulnerable situations. 

Olive Tree House is a daycare centre located on the Herzlia High School campus and is a collaboration between Herzlia and Oranjia.

As Belinda Slavin, the Director of Oranjia, points out: “It’s long been clear to us that we need to provide support measures for children and families who are struggling. Olive Tree House offers a space where stress on a family unit can be reduced, and children can come to the daycare centre and receive meals, academic support and extra-curricular enrichment such as sports activities, outings and holiday care.”

For many years, Oranjia, a communal organisation established in 1911, served as a residential care home for orphans or for children living in vulnerable circumstances. The need for daycare – for children to have a secure place to go to after the school day and before returning to their own homes – became evident a number of years ago, and Oranjia provided for this need but the facility available was not ideal. “Since 2018, creating a dedicated space for the daycare has been a project very close to our hearts, a long-held dream of Antony Leader and Esta Levitas that began many years earlier,” explains Eleanor Miller, the outgoing Chairperson of Oranjia, who was a driving force behind the establishment of the new facility. “We had many obstacles to overcome, including not being able to find suitable premises for this – until now.”

The fulfilment of the dream is Olive Tree House, which has been set up in a house on the Herzlia High School property. “The partnership between Herzlia and Oranjiahas been incredible, and we’re so grateful for the school’s ongoing support and collaboration,” commented Eleanor at the opening event, where she also acknowledged the generosity of the donors whose contributions helped turn the dream into a reality.

Donors include artist Galia Gluckman, who generously gave several pieces of her artwork. 

The facility has been in operation for a few months – and positive outcomes are already clear. “Since we opened Olive Tree House, we have grown in the number of children being referred to our centre,” says Amanda Varkel, the new Chair of Oranjia.

In addition, there are clear indications that the impact on the lives of the children has been positive. As Amanda says, “Children have provided positive feedback about their time at the daycare and have commented on how they have had many exciting new experiences with the daycare managers, and children. Teachers at school have reported that many of the children have improved academically and are more engaged in school life.”

Children and families requiring extra support or who may want to find out more information may contact Herzlia’s SEED Department and/or JCS social workers.

The Oranjia Committee
L-R: Rabbi Silver, Belinda Slavin
Shane Brorson, Andries Van Renssen, Geoff Cohen, Amanda Varkel
L-R: Belinda Slavin, Rodney Stein, Esta Levitas, Eleanor Miller, Dalia Katz, Ryan Epstein, Amanda Varkel, Carrie Gruzd, Nicky Pamensky, Tamara Davidson, Motti Lewis, Anthony Leader
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Stronger together

Message from the Chair

By SIMONE SULCAS
Chairperson, Cape SAJBD

On the 3rd of October 1995, after only four hours of jury deliberation OJ Simpson was acquitted. I was stunned. As a final year law student, it went against everything I believed to be true. 

Guilty people are meant to pay for their crimes, and blindfolded Lady Justice, who symbolizes the impartiality of the law, was missing in action. I learnt an important lesson – the seemingly impossible can be achieved if you have a winning team. In this case, OJ had the best lawyers money could buy – his ‘Dream Team’.

Time-hopping to October 2025, the concept of a ‘Dream Team’ still resonates with me, albeit for a different reason. When I accepted the nomination of chair, I glanced up and my eyes locked on the list of former chairpersons displayed on the wall in our board’s ‘War Room’.  This distinguished list filled me with a blend of pride, gratitude and self-reflection. The baton had been passed, and I needed to draw strength and collective wisdom from the past, and I needed to do this swiftly. I did this in the only way I know how – I looked forward. I looked around the board table and focused on the 23 board members and four professional staff, our ‘Dream Team’.

We are fortunate enough to have a Western Cape Jewish community where people step up into leadership positions, spending their precious time giving back so selflessly to our community. Added to this, they are leaders in their professional space, with specialised skills and qualifications, and a deep passion for our community. The last two years have been particularly challenging for our community, mirroring the struggles of Jewish communities worldwide. We, as your elected leaders, have fought and will continue to fight against antisemitism and hate in every way possible and by every means. We have had our wins and our losses, but still we fight, each and every day. We advocate for you and have painstakingly built up relationships with the public and private sector, always advancing our rights as Jews to live and thrive in the broader community. The preamble to our Constitution says that, “South Africa belongs to all that live in it”. Our ‘Dream Team’ is committed to making sure that these words are our lived experience.

 We are also blessed to have a plethora of affiliate organisations that do so much to enhance our Jewish life here in the Western Cape. One simply needs to page through this Chronicle to see the breadth and width of our affiliate organisations and the fullness and richness of their offering to our community. I urge you to explore the options and find something that resonates with you, to take advantage of their services, and perhaps even volunteer if you can. 

As I write this, it has been over two years since the atrocities of October 7th, and I am holding my breath and praying that the fragile peace deal between Israel and Hamas holds and that there is an end to the loss of life for all innocents. I am overcome with deep relief that our brothers and sisters have been released from a hell that I cannot begin to imagine. Our strength as a community, as Am Yisrael,  has been tested and once again we have overcome. We do so with pride, courage and a commitment to ‘dance again’. Here on the tip of Africa, we have cried together, prayed together and galvanised in support of our Jewish homeland, our global Jewish community, and one another. We have been a ‘Dream Team’.

I love our community, and I want to see it flourish from within and in the broader context. I undertake to do all I can to contribute meaningfully and purposefully, always guided by our Jewish values with a healthy dose of Ubuntu. “I am because we are” interconnected by a golden thread that deeply values the concept of community. I, together with our ‘Dream Team’ of board members and our professional team, look forward to working with and for our community in the coming term. The OJ Simpson case may have quashed my desire to become a criminal lawyer, yet it did sow the seed of what can be achieved if you have a ‘Dream Team’. My intention is for us to be yours. ●

Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies | http://www.capesajbd.org | Instagram | Facebook

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When children inherit the fear: the unseen cost of conflict

I recently watched Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, a film that shines a light on a seldom-discussed chapter of history –  the Rhodesian civil war, which ended with the democratic elections of 1980 in what is now Zimbabwe. Told through the eyes of a seven-year-old girl, the daughter of a White farming family, it captures something often overlooked in stories of conflict: the silent suffering of children.

Through her bewilderment at her world being turned upside-down, we witness not only the brutality of war but the confusion and instability it breeds in young minds. Her world – once filled with routine and familiarity – fractures into something dangerous and unpredictable. And as I watched, I couldn’t help but think about today’s children caught in conflict zones, children whose lives are being shaped by fear and uncertainty before they even understand what those words mean.

That thought returned with force when I saw video clips of hostages being released from Gaza. Among the tears and celebration, one image stood out: a small child, expression blank, eyes darting between faces of joy she couldn’t quite share. She seemed unsure, almost alienated by the euphoria around her. How could she make sense of what was happening, or of the trauma that had preceded it?

We often believe that by shielding children from the harshness of the world, we are protecting them. But silence is not always protection. Even without words, children absorb the tension in a household, the fear behind their parents’ eyes, the unspoken grief that hangs in the air. Their innocence makes them intuitive, not oblivious.

Psychologists studying second-generation Holocaust survivors have long observed how trauma echoes across generations. Many of these individuals grew up carrying anxieties that were never directly explained to them – the inherited weight of fear and loss. Their lives were shaped by what was left unsaid, by the emotional scars of their parents’ experiences.

That legacy of unspoken pain should serve as a warning. When children grow up surrounded by unresolved fear and silence, the consequences may only reveal themselves decades later – in mistrust, anxiety, or a fractured sense of safety in the world.

As new generations of children live through war, displacement, and terror – in Israel, in Gaza, in Ukraine, and elsewhere – we must ask ourselves what emotional inheritance we are leaving them. The physical wounds of conflict may heal, but the psychological ones often last a lifetime.

Children should inherit hope, not fear. And if we are to build a more peaceful future, we must find ways to give them that – through honesty, compassion, and the courage to acknowledge the pain that shapes their world.

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