January 2026
The housing shortage in South Africa remains shocking. While it is still highlighted in some circles, it falls behind other nationally significant challenges, and that is a shame. The wider property industry is very impressive. The skills and abilities on show in property development, construction, and sales are unique on the continent. Very few African nations can boast the widespread quality of new build property combined with safe and sound construction processes, alongside a robust sales process that gets residents into homes.
Currently, the outlook for those wanting to buy a home is bleak with many reports suggesting the gap sits at more than two million units. Lacking stock in the right areas has impacted prices. Rentals are set to increase with demand surging, and global economic factors are converging to create a tight atmosphere. However, there are pockets of positivity, and that is what we are focused on.
Africrest Properties, a strong partner for Enterprise Africa over the years, continues to convert old office unit and wasted space into bright and modern rental apartments. Negotiating with its supply chain, the company has managed to keep pricing affordable, helping tenants to get into the market. In 2026 alone, the company will add more than 2700 units in Johannesburg proving that with dedication and drive, problems can be addressed.
Abland continues its highly impressive campaign in the Western Cape, planning and building office, commercial, and residential spaces. Importantly, this experienced player is going big – making exciting things happen, not just statistics for the books. The Rubik apartment building in Cape Town is a great example, Canal Walk office space in Century City is another, and the Saxdowne Shopping Centre between the city and Stellenbosch highlights the company’s ambition to be noticed.
Premier Hotels and Resorts is another investing in property. A new site in Thohoyandou, in Limpopo’s Vhembe district, is buoying the region and bringing life to a whole area through bricks and mortar. The R194 million hotel officially opened in September 2024 and is the company’s 25th property, showing confidence in the tourism and property markets in general.
Crusader Logistics is happy in its new property in Cape Town, and is building partnerships with global supply chain brands to deliver a seamless logistics provision in South Africa. New Ops Director Alex Diez tells us more about important new property.
Get in touch and tell us more about your company’s property portfolio or construction plans – breaking ground is important now more than ever. We’re always online at LinkedIn.