Why transfer duties should be reduced
Posted Tue, 15 Feb 2005

Since 2002, Finance Minister Trevor Manual has lightened the tax load on property stamp duty and transfer duty but unless he takes these steps further, he is effectively denying people access to the property ladder.

Supplied by Dave Welmans www.thepropertygame.co.za

In our discussions on property bubbles it might be interesting to digress slightly to Finance Minister Trevor Manuel’s 2005/6 budget speech on Wednesday. There are a number of elements of his speech that are particularly relevant if you’re interested in examining the causes of the current property boom and analyzing whether it has the elements of a property bubble.

Words: Donald Paul Photography: Melanie Cleary

Lifting the curtain The neighbourhood To the north of the N1 is an area – the ‘Boerewors Gordyn’ – that includes Parow, Bellville, Tygervalley and Durbanville. But new developments such as Kanonberg and Welgedacht are attracting a considerable amount of wealthy investors and homeowners. Pam Golding Properties Managing Director Western Cape Mick Joyce says it’s ‘difficult to make comparisons with’ other fast growing suburbs of the Cape. ‘You’d have to look at a rand comparison as well as a new unit comparison, but it must be fairly close.’ The newspaper of choice for most local residents is the Afrikaans daily Die Burger, which runs a property supplement called Kaapse Eiendoms. The Saturday Argus, comprising the weekend property supplement of the local English paper, The Cape Argus, never featured the Northern Suburbs, which prompted Die Burger to launch an English-language version of their supplement, called Cape Property. The curtain had been lifted.

By Kate Tyndall

Deep in the remote African bush country of northern Zambia lies Shiwa, a sprawling 40-roomed English manor house complete with chapel, pool, tennis court and terraced gardens, a monument to one man's African dream, home now to dust motes, termites and the encroaching vegetation. Born when Victoria was still England's queen, Stewart Gore-Browne built Shiwa for a woman who never lived there, his dashing aunt, Ethel Locke King, 19 years his senior and for whom he cherished a lifelong, though unrequited and only tacitly acknowledged passion.

Mafikeng Mafikeng, North West, South Africa

Mafikeng, situated next to Mmabatho, the vibrant provincial capital of the North West Province and has an interesting history, rich culture and wildlife variety.

Northwest, Brits Price: R1 490 000 Bed: 3 Bath: 2

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It is National Budget time - and Sanlam now offers you comprehensive commentary on the Budget 2005, announced on February 23rd by Minister Trevor Manual.

Click on the link below which will take you directly to the Sanlam home page. Then look under Shortcuts for National Budget 2005 and click on the link. Here you will find a comprehensive overview of the immediate impact of the Budget on the macro economy, as well as what implications the Budget announcement holds for you as an individual and your business.

Amongst others, Jac Laubscher, Chief Economist of Sanlam and SA Economist of the Year 2003, will share his thoughts and inputs on the Budget announcement.

We trust that you will find the information useful for future planning. You are more than welcome to contact your Sanlam adviser or broker should you need a personal meeting or financial planning.

Please note that the overview will only be available on February 24th from 8.00 am onwards.

http://www.sanlam.co.za

South Africa - Land of the Rainbow Nation

Q: Does it ever get windy in South Africa? I have never seen it raining on TV, so how do the plants grow? (UK)

A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.

Q: Will I be able to see elephants in the street? (USA)

A: Depends how much you've been drinking.

Q: I want to walk from Durban to Cape Town - can I follow the railroad tracks? (Sweden)

A: Sure, it's only two thousand kilometers, take lots of water...

Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in South Africa? (Sweden)

A: So it's true what they say about Swedes...?

Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in South Africa? Can you send me a list of them in JHB, Cape Town, Knysna and Jeffrey's Bay? (UK)

A: ....and what did your last slave die of?

Q: Can you give me some information about Koala Bear racing in South Africa? (USA)

A: Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific.

A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe which does not... oh forget it.

Sure, the Koala Bear racing is every Tuesday night in Hillbrow. Come naked.

Q: Which direction is north in South Africa? (USA)

A: Face south and then turn 90 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.

Q: Can I bring cutlery into South Africa? (UK)

A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.

Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)

A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is... oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Hillbrow, straight after the Koala Bear races. Come naked.

Q: Do you have perfume in South Africa? (France)

A: No, WE don't stink.

Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in South Africa? (USA)

A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.

Q: Can you tell me the regions in South Africa where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)

A: Yes. Gay nightclubs.

Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in South Africa? (France)

A: Only at Christmas

Q: Are there killer bees in South Africa? (Germany)

A: Not yet, but for you, we'll import them.

Q: Are there supermarkets in Cape Town and is milk available all year round? (Germany)

A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter-gatherers. Milk is illegal.

Q: Please send a list of all doctors in South Africa who can dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA)

A: Rattlesnakes live in A-me-ri-ca, which is where YOU come from. All South African snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.

Q: I was in South Africa in 1969, and I want to contact the girl I dated while I was staying in Hillbrow. Can you help? (USA)

A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.

Q: Will I be able to speek English most places I go? (USA)

A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.

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