2 min readThe international award winning Kingswood Golf Estate is an urban lifestyle golf estate with a championship golf course in George, the centre of the Garden Route’s golf Mecca. The Sally Little signature golf course designed by Danie Obermeyer is the prime attraction, but the residential estate hosts various other leisure activities and facilities that you can enjoy… and all in a setting of breathtaking, natural beauty at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains.

5 min readReporting on the year so far, Liesel Niehaus and Mike Quinn and their Kingswood Golf Operations (KGO) team have much to be grateful for, starting with a successful season throughout December 2022 and January 2023, when lots of visitors enjoyed the spoils of the course and post-play social encounters.

3 min readWhen readers of The BUZZard were first introduced to Kingswood greenkeeper Ivan van Heerden in the October 2021 edition, he shared some thoughts on that year’s wet winter, which left the course in need of remedial action in certain sections.

4 min readIzaan Keller started making and fitting aluminum windows and doors when still a teenager, to earn some hard-won pocket money during the school holidays. ‘This is where my passion for aluminum and all its related systems developed,’ explains this Kingswood resident for the past six years.

4 min readCEO of Kingswood Golf Estate Willem Jacobs says there are countless reasons why his daughter has a better chance at recovery when cared for in the comfort of her own room – and the home owners of Kingswood Estate, along with George’s golfing fraternity, are giving their all to contribute to the astronomical costs of this close-to-home campaign.

3 min readGinny Schoombie was the driving force behind the team responsible for ensuring the roaring success of the recent fundraising weekend for Anelda Jacobs – daughter of Kingswood Golf Estate CEO, Willem Jacobs.

2 min readAs the multitude of walkers – both adults and children, and many with dogs in tow – took to the five-kilometre route of the Anelda Jacobs fundraising walk on Friday 14 May, Michelle Witts-Hewinson gave us the opportunity to have a first-hand look-see of the sprawling Kingswood Estate.

< 1 min readThis was indeed the case on Friday May 14 when hanging with Dan de Wet – part of the furniture at Kingswood Golf Estate for the past 10 years and serving as Community Facilities Manager to the Home Owners Association.

2 min readThe window that ‘frames the course’, according to interior designer pictured left Idonia Chandler, is one of the most significant and aesthetically pleasing aspects of the refurbished gatehouse.

3 min readService provider par excellence, Paul Mitchell is contracted by Kingswood HOA to do all repairs and maintenance on the estate’s electric fencing atop the extensive 12-kilometre perimeter fence.

3 min readAll the wildlife that calls Kingswood home is important to Dan de Wet, Kingswoods Community and Facilities Manager. The biggest of these animals are the caracal that traverse the fairways and roughs during the course of their nocturnal forays, and the springbok that are regularly sighted by residents.

2 min readAs featured in the previous edition of Kingswood BUZZard, resident Pieter Steyn and his family enjoy the rare privilege of a bird’s-eye view into the daily (and nightly) comings and goings of a pair of owls that have nested in one of their flower pots – and his reportage on the subject has now gained national exposure.

3 min readArguably the most widely celebrated resident of Kingswood Golf Estate, Jan Hoogendyk (aka Elvis Blue) shot to fame in 2010 when he won M-Net’s Idols, and – with three platinum and two gold albums – he has since become one of South Africa’s most commercially successful artistes.

3 min readBack in 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 bitcoins – worth about $446 million (R6.207 million) at current prices – for two pizzas. It’s thought to be the first commercial cryptocurrency transaction.

5 min readRecent events indicate the emergence of an alternative model for the management of services like water and waste. Several separate initiatives are under way, currently unconnected, but all moving in a similar direction.

3 min readRules are the glue that keeps an estate from breaking down into anarchy – but they can also be the cause conflict, so they need to be handled with care. And one of the most important aspects of keeping the rules is that everyone knows them. Everyone!

4 min readI love cheesecake, and always have, but – as I discovered one rainy night in Wilderness – there is cheesecake, and then there is cheesecake. Aidan’s cheesecake is cheesecake.

3 min readIn the last edition of The BUZZard, we had a look at the Eden to Addo megahike – a fundraiser for the Eden to Addo Corridor. Now the Eden to Addo Corridor is a great initiative, but it could be better – or, at least, longer.

3 min readWhen Mornay Stoop took up the position of Kingswood Golf Estate’s new operations manager on Spring Day last year, we introduced him to BUZZard readers with bytes of personal background and a brief summary of his job expectations.

3 min read‘Security is a moving target’ – but KGE trustees and industry experts have a solution in their sights. Security upgrades to the value of R20 million-plus will be effected over the next five years at Kingswood Golf Estate.

2 min readWe have a lot of wildlife in South Africa, and as you all know, nowadays it’s not uncommon to see grazing Springbok and Impala on residential estates such as Mount Kenya Wildlife Estate, Goose Valley Golf Estate, and our very own Kingswood Golf Estate to name but a few.

2 min readPicture this: a pristine neighbourhood, its streets lined with elegant homes and lush greenery, suddenly marred by graffiti scrawled across walls, shattered windows, and defaced public spaces.

2 min readIn the intricate landscape of communal housing development, effective infrastructure management serves as the bedrock of resilience.

4 min readNew Kingswood resident Dr Dané van den Berg is a long-time George local who recently returned to the town where her parents and grandparents still live, and where she now shares her extensive healthcare experience with patients young and old.

4 min readThis interview with legendary birding expert, educator and author Peter Ginn is complemented by input from resident wildlife fundi Adrie Conradie – enjoy the flight!

2 min readAs the dynamics of property ownership evolve, the surge in demand for rental accommodations prompts both tenants and homeowners to tread the rental path with utmost care and thoroughness.

5 min readWhen perusing weekly newsletters disseminated by the able team at Kingswood Golf Operations, it’s clear that there truly is an event included in the monthly lineup for every skills level and preference.

4 min readA brief sit-down with Kingswood greenkeeper Ivan van Heerden is of the essence when wanting to know how it’s really going on the golf course.

4 min readThe Kingswood Estate plant list has been meticulously curated to pinpoint precisely what thrives in Kingswood gardens.

3 min readJolene Smit joined the Kingswood HOA fray in April, so here’s a nutshell introduction to this able lady responsible for keeping good relations all round.

3 min readThe BUZZard was again fortunate to score an audience with Willem Scholtz on matters related to the grand security plan currently being rolled out at Kingswood Golf Estate.

4 min readAfter nearly two decades of envisioning such a facility, the Kingswood Community Centre/Clubhouse (CC/C) Project is now a reality.

4 min readWhatever your field, whether you are project managing a multibillion-rand development, overseeing the security on a small estate, getting the kids to school on time, or running a large hospital, you need to manage risk, minimise accidents, and ensure the smooth flow of a number of related tasks.

3 min readThe BUZZard chatted to Kingswood trustee and chair of the Security Committee, Fielies Nieuwoudt, who was happy to report on the timeous progress of all operations set to be completed during the third quarter of 2024.

2 min readPieter van der Walt has been appointed as on-site security manager for Fidelity at KGE – and a quick look at his mission and vision is indicative of the seriousness with which he tackles this task.

3 min read 
Sectional Title (ST) owners are experiencing insurance premium shocks this year as insurance companies and re-insurers rethink the risks associated with building insurance.

2 min readIt was a normal, sunny day in Kingswood, the kind that invites adventure and the thrill of discovery. Young Marcel and his father, Heinrich, decided to spend their afternoon fishing at the dam just below their house, near the sixth tee box.

2 min readAt Kingswood Golf Estate, we believe that a strong, connected community is the cornerstone of a vibrant and fulfilling neighbourhood experience.

4 min readReaders and residents and golfers receiving the weekly newsletter from Kingswood Golf Operations would be au fait with competitions past and events to diarise for future references.

4 min readIvan van Heerden explains the challenges of caring for the Kingswood golf course during winter, and shares news on some of his team’s recently completed projects.

3 min readIn the December 2023 edition of The BUZZard, we introduced readers to Kingswood’s new Security Coordinator, due to take up this permanent HOA position in January 2024.

4 min readThe latest arrival among Kingswood’s trustees (Jonathan Witts-Hewinson, Tony Jacobsen and Fielies Nieuwoudt) is former farmer Pietman van Heerden, who took the proverbial baton from outgoing trustee Edmund Franklin after the KGE Annual General Meeting on 24 June.

2 min readTo honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy during July – or ‘Madiba Month’ as it’s generally referred to in Mzansi – Kingswood residents donated food, blankets and toys to an outreach outfit that cares for animals in all corners of the district.

4 min readRunning a successful business while being kept on your toes by three primary school-aged children is no mean feat, but this is what’s accomplished daily by Tamryn and Brendan Maguire of Velvet Home & Living

2 min readThe residents of Kingswood Golf Estate in George are very aware of how fortunate they are to live on a safe, spacious, green estate with loads of facilities and activities – both on-site and close by. And, as this was made more evident as their movements and activities became constrained due to the coronavirus, it got them thinking about the challenges faced by less well-resourced people.

4 min readWorking with a clear future vision as foundation for almost every decision taken by the management of Kingswood Golf Estate today has become the norm for CEO Willem Jacobs and the trustees.

4 min readAs prelude to the Kingswood Golf Estate Annual General Meeting on 27 June, the KGE Homeowners Association trustees provide feedback on recent strategic planning sessions, an imminent change in the structure of the HOA, and action schedules that sprouted from these important talks.

4 min readKGE Trustee Jonathan Witts-Hewisson, at the helm of the subcommittee charged with making Kingswood’s clubhouse project work, kindly provided an update on the eve of town hall sessions scheduled for mid-December to inform residents of progress.

6 min readAmong the trustees elected by proxy during an annual general meeting (AGM) on October 11 emerged three new faces, while one old hand in the estate’s management history continues to carry forth the baton.

5 min readGeorge measured 105mm of rainfall in a two-hour period on Monday 22 November, which led to extensive flash flood damage to private as well as municipal infrastructure. In total, George measured 148.5mm of rain from 22–24 November – a record in anyone’s books, but miraculously without severe injuries or fatalities being reported in the days following the storm.

5 min readAt the Kingswood Golf Estate AGM on 27 June, two new trustees were selected to serve alongside existing office bearers Marilyn Kamp and Gerrit Nieuwoudt – welcomed into the fold that memorable Monday were Jonathan Witts-Hewinson and Anthony Jacobsen. Jonathan was on leave when this edition saw the light, but do read on to find out more about the inimitable ‘Tony J’.

2 min readOne of the main reasons people move to residential estates is for the security (although, in our case, the great golf course is a close second). Security is of paramount importance and so, when it came time to renew the security contract, the estate management considered carefully tenders from a number of security companies.

3 min readLiesel Niehaus of Kingswood Golf Operations (KGO) sheds some light on the season that was, when a record number of players chose this fine course for their festive games with near and dear ones. The Golf Ops team also kindly provided a list of coming attractions, with many a date for players and residents to diarise.

3 min readThe Security and Risk Subcommittee of the Kingswood Board, under the chairmanship of Kingswood Golf Estate (KGE) trustee Chris Horsley, shared exciting news about plans in the 2022-25 pipeline – albeit in the context of ever-changing security technology.

3 min readWhen the South African Landscapers Institute dished out their coveted SALI Awards this year, one Southern Cape-based company raked in a great many accolades for work done at some of the Garden Route’s most prestigious estates and golf courses.

3 min readThe golf course at Kingswood, like the rest of George and surrounds, was inundated with heavy downpours lashing the district in the final month of winter. This necessitated remedial action on certain sections of the course.

4 min readThe investment of Kingswood Golf Operations (KGO) in the acquisition of 30 brand-new golf carts did much to lighten the mood of those estate management members grappling with the aftermath of the 22 November flood.

5 min readThe new KGE clubhouse and community centre: ‘for the flow of it’ When chatting to Kingswood resident Eugene Schoombie about his role in realising the estate’s new clubhouse, the excitement is palpable. But Eugene – a quantity surveyor and project manager by profession

3 min readThe Garden Route is one of the top golfi ng destinations in South Africa – and possibly the world – and Kingswood is one of the reasons. With its spectacularly scenic, Links-style championship course, perfect climate and fabulous homes, it’s the perfect place for golfers (and non-golfers) to live.

5 min readBoth these Kingswood club captains have golf and good governance in their blood

3 min readMike Quinn and Liesel Niehaus of Kingswood Golf Operations (KGO) share feedback of events hosted on and off the KGE course since the last BUZZard update – and residents would do well to diarise the dates of coming attractions listed below, kindly provided by the able Golf Ops team.

3 min readNewest member of the Kingswood HOA team, financial manager Marina Flear, at first thought she was cut out to be a teacher. But she has long since exchanged the classroom for the competitive field of business, and recently scored a top job at KGE.

4 min readThe morning of October 11 was a momentous occasion in the history of Kingswood Golf Estate, as it marked the culmination of a negotiation process spanning more than a year. During that Monday’s AGM, overwhelming support was received by the Kingswood HOA (Homeowners’ Association) members to proceed with the acquisition of the Gatehouse building.

3 min readBest practice when it comes to responsible short-term letting at Kingswood Golf Estate (KGE) is always worth a relook, with the summer season now here and the issue invariably resurfacing in what may be billed the making-a-festive-buck context.

2 min readKingswood Golf Estate’s new operations manager, Mornay Stoop, took up this challenging and exciting post on 1 September. While he isn’t a golfer we found that Mornay, who is from the northern reaches of KwaZulu-Natal, is truly up to the task.

4 min readThere are so many great reasons for living on Kingswood, and there is something for everyone, no matter your interests or energy levels. And birding is one of the less upfront and in-your-face options, but it’s one that more and more residents are coming to appreciate. It’s an activity that can be enjoyed at any level – and at virtually any time.

3 min readMeet the course specialists who keep the 18 holes of Kingswood Golf Estate in tip-top shape – come torrential rain or scorching shine …

3 min readThe BUZZard caught up with KGE Director of Golf, Clifford Howes, on a very wet Friday morning. Fortunately, this meant he had time to chat whereas, in less water-logged climes, he’d probably be out there on the course making new members feel at home.

3 min readSince last catching up with Liesel Niehaus, Mike Quinn and their able Kingswood Golf Operations (KGO) team, there’s been lots of action on and off the course. Space at our disposal won’t allow for the inclusion of details on each of the past months’ successful golf days and related events, but read on for a summary of highlights and bragging rights earned.

4 min readWhen the Kingswood Golf Operations (KGO) team heard just five weeks before that they would be hosting the Sunshine Senior Tour on October 13 and 14, they all pitched in for the estate’s very first professional event.

2 min readWhen it was announced in November that South Africa had concluded a historic agreement to secure R131 billion for the country’s transition to a low carbon economy, the news was celebrated in international environmental circles. On a national level, estate managers and developers can contribute by building green and maintaining planet-friendly standards.

3 min readFresh from having pulled off a particularly successful Algoa Charity Golf Day, the Kingswood Golf Operations team revisits tournaments and highlights select upcoming events most worthy of honourable mention.

4 min readKingswood is a pet-friendly estate – but with some obvious rules. Dogs, for instance, must be within their yards at all times unless out on a walk with their humans, and there are strict rules about when they may be walked on the golf course – and, of course, what they may ‘leave behind’ on their walks. And cats must wear bells. But is that enough?

3 min readFire damage has destroyed several key buildings in South Africa, including Parliament and the University of Cape Town (UCT). While there’s always the threat of arson, it’s not uncommon for veld fires to destroy the surrounding fauna and flora in the summer months.

3 min readEvery estate homeowner is obliged to pay a monthly levy to ensure the scheme is run efficiently and benefits all.

3 min readBullying is a worldwide problem, and estimates show that every year more than a billion children experience some form of violence, particularly in school. But bullying doesn’t only manifest in the school environment.

4 min readThe Kingswood Golf Estate (KGE) management team embarked on a POPIA and PAIA Compliance Preparation Project in May 2021 in order to establish appropriate measures for protecting the personal information of homeowners, residents, visitors and other stakeholders in a lawful and secure manner.

3 min readIt’s illegal for teenagers to ride on golf carts, but some estates turn a blind eye and so risk litigation, were something to go horribly wrong. Estate managers are urged to familiarise themselves with lesser-known rules in order to avoid trouble with the law.

3 min readAmong the many things we had to worry about this year was the spectre of half-finished constructions just sitting there – some with roofs, some with half roofs, and some completely roofless and exposed to the elements.

3 min readOut of home (OOH) advertising (also referred to as outdoor advertising) is advertising that consumers may come across outside of their home. It includes billboards, posters and wallscapes.

4 min readIn a recent career interview with a bright Grade 11 student, Marinda Swart used the payoff line of a decades-old banking advert to explain the driving force behind her career choice and subsequent business success: Simpler, better, faster! ‘It aptly describes what Industrial Engineering sets out to attain: process optimisation to integrate people and products.’

4 min readThe dynamics of a game population and the management of herd health and size can become quite complicated, especially in a unique setup such as Kingswood Golf Estate. It is therefore important to bear in mind that a set of basic principles, rather than a strict programme, should be followed to manage and maintain the wildlife population on the property.

3 min readMost of the gas used in South African homes is comprised of liquefied petroleum (a mixture of propane and butane). It is a simple chemical structure that allows for safe and clean burning.

4 min readWhen The BUZZard caught up with Deon van Greunen on a wet Monday morning (but not quite as wet as the infamous Flood Monday of a fortnight before … more news on this elsewhere in this edition), he was just ‘moving his boat’.

3 min readOn a bright January morning back in 2018, George Animal Hospital welcomed Dr Christiaan Blignaut to its team of veterinarian specialists and animal-loving support staff.

5 min readAnd it is subjective. Spring has come and gone and, as summer approaches, there’s a palpable sense of possibility and renewal. So it’s a great time to brighten up our lives and our homes to match the sense of optimism and – yes – even joy.

3 min readKingswood residents for the past eight years, Juan and Verna van der Merwe are properly ensconced in the George community, being essential cogs in the town’s industrial machine and educational fold respectively.

3 min readExperts use colours to evoke certain emotions. Colour is heavily used by marketing and branding specialists, but the principles apply just as much to property developments. We get some invaluable advice from South Africa’s paint experts.

4 min readCharl Marais has been a Kingswood homeowner for seven years, and MD-cum-majority shareholder at PPP (Precast Panel Products) since the beginning of 2022 … and he’s not had the time or inclination to ever look back.

3 min readWhen meeting Christine Maree at her Yuppie Gift Baskets (YGB) warehouse in George Industria, the immediate effect is of a real-life trompe l’oeil: does she appear smaller against the backdrop of her large business premises, or is it the other way ‘round?

4 min readThe tourism industry in George, as in many holiday destinations across South Africa and the world, has suffered greatly since the first COVID-19 lockdowns came into effect at the end of March 2020. The local tourism office falls under George Municipality and we tracked down the town’s tourism manager, Joan Shaw, who shared data collated over the past year, as well as a cautiously optimistic outlook for 2022.

5 min readThis column introduces exceptional Kingswood residents, who run businesses that do the estate proud and prove a boon to the Garden Route and beyond. As the name implies, ProQS specialises in quantity surveying, but also offers many other building-related services, having been intimately involved in the Southern Cape construction industry for a quarter century-plus.

3 min readYou’ve almost certainly heard of Aloe vera, which is widely marketed as an ingredient in cosmetics. This plant, which has been in cultivation all over the world for hundreds of years, and is no longer found in the wild, does have some remarkable qualities, but our indigenous, wildly growing Aloe ferox has a greater concentration and range of therapeutic substances.

3 min readDomestic animals must live by these rules In terms of the constitution of Kingswood Golf Estate’s Homeowners Association and its House Rules, as amended in February 2021, animals and their keepers are bound by a reasonable list of do’s and dont’s.

2 min readMany institutions now offer recognised qualifications in property management and real estate. If you want to sharpen your skill or change your career, here are a few that commence later this year:

2 min readIn the previous edition, readers of The BUZZard were introduced to Jonathan Hills – the developer of Telesto Clay Court Tennis Centre at Rooirivier. If you missed that story, the nutshell version is that the centre is being constructed over a number of phases, the first comprising the establishment of padel tennis and clay courts, a pro shop, and refreshment stop.

3 min readFor South Africa to meet its target of vaccinating 70% of its population by December, more than half of all adults need to have had their first shot by — well now — end October.

3 min readKingswood resident Karen Schoombie landed control of the ‘Queen of Birding’ reins when a homeowner previously in charge of the tweet had to up and move away from Kingswood Golf Estate earlier this year.

3 min readIf you think big-time developers wear designer suits, need to be ‘of a certain age’, or have an unassailable air of importance, think again: sporty Jonathan Hills, 40, is at the helm of an exciting project at the Rooirivier site just up the road from Kingswood Golf Estate, and he’s the epitome of a new-generation boy on the George development block.

3 min readWe’re all tired of wearing masks, not hugging our friends, and washing our hands till they dry up and look (and feel) like sandpaper. But we just have to look at what’s happening in the northern hemisphere to realise that this is not the time to drop our guard.

2 min readA veritable army of specialists takes care of the many aspects and areas in constant need of maintenance at Kingswood Golf Estate. The interesting facts and figures below make for a riveting read …

2 min readHaving a social media presence is a non-negotiable for any brand or business these days, and estates are no exception. The reality is that if you’re not on social media, you are losing out on selling the lifestyle elements and amenities of your estate to a captive audience – which leaves them wide open to your competitors. Effectively leveraging social media isn’t easy though.

8 min readEmploying a foreign national without a valid work permit is an offence and could result in managers or individual employers getting a possible fine or even imprisonment.

5 min readMicrofarms probably won’t solve world hunger, but it wouldn’t be far from the truth to say that they may be the best candidate for that honour. And, while it’s unlikely that many people living in residential estates are starving, it’s almost certain that most can benefit from more fresh veggies – and from fresher veggies.

3 min readWhen it comes to New Year’s promises, we’ve heard it all before. We pledge to start exercising at the gym, lose weight, get organised, and living life to the fullest. But why do we find it so hard to stick to them come January?

3 min readDespite widespread scepticism, more and more organisations are using personality tests like the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to create and manage their teams. Should you?

3 min readUnconventional towns have suddenly become cool. Young buyers are finding properties in non-metro towns financially attractive. They want to take advantage of lower prices and enjoy the medium- to long-term growth that investing in property in these towns brings. What’s more, they’re also keen to benefit from the lifestyle that’s on offer – clean air, country living and a laid-back lifestyle.

3 min readThe price of Bitcoin recently dropped below $20,000 (R318,366) – its lowest level since November 2020. It’s not only the most famous coin that’s lost some value as other digital currencies have seen their value reach zero.

3 min readWith load shedding, more South Africans are finding their own ways to keep the lights on, but at what cost? The financial help available to fund off-grid solutions in the home

3 min readMatteo Battaini comes from a long line of Italian epicureans and cut his teeth in the meat-curing businesses with his uncle, Dario Soresi, of famous cheese and meat manufacturers Mastro Dario.

4 min readMarilyn Kamp, one of four Homeowners Association (HOA) trustees – along with fellow newbies Chris Horsley and Fielies Nieuwoudt, and old hand Gerrit Botha – provided the meat for this summary of the year that was at Kingswood Golf Estate, and some exciting future bytes. We also thank former trustee and numbers man par excellence, Roy Edge, for contributing to the facts and figures below.

5 min readPort Elizabeth has hit Day Zero – that dreaded spectre that had Capetonians tossing and turning in their unwashed sheets a few years ago. In some parts of the city the taps have – literally – been turned off, and water is trucked in by tanker.

4 min readThe Garden Route is one of the best tourist destinations in the world, and you are already here!. So – if you need a break (and we all do) – take one in your own back yard. It’s time for a fabulous staycation. Do some day trips, or take time out to really appreciate the great opportunities just down the road.

5 min readThe residents of Kingswood are represented by four involved, committed and hard-working trustees who oversee all decisions related to the management of the estate in partnership with the four trustees nominated by the developer. We chatted to three of the trustees to find out more about what they love about Kingswood, and how they came to live here.

5 min readAfter consultations and town hall meetings in 2019, a reassuring 87% of Kingswood home owners agreed that the HOA would buy Kingswood golf course from Kingswood Golf Properties ( Pty) Ltd. We chatted to CEO Willem Jacobs, who led the team that achieved the transfer and now leads the management team, to get some insight into the process – and of the plans going forward.

4 min readAs thousands of people continue to flock to the Garden Route for a better quality of life, the impacts on the region’s bigger picture are becoming increasingly evident. And while there is a sense that things are sometimes slipping through the cracks, the belief prevails that a unique set of blessings can ultimately overcome the worst of the challenges.

3 min readThe development of the fourth and final phase of Kingswood Golf Estate is well under way, and sales are progressing well. The site, south of Kingswood, will ensure that all new homes will have stunning light and views to the north over the Camphersdrift River, the golf course and the beautiful homes on the estate, to the majestic Outeniqua Mountains. The development will also extend opportunities for recreation, with additional walking and cycling paths.

3 min readThe Garden Route is blessed with an array of top-class golfing venues. Not least, of course, is Kingswood’s own home course, which many will know as Danie Obermeyer’s masterpiece, and that is a major drawcard for people thinking of investing in the estate. But if you’re not a golfer, you probably think: ‘A golf course is a golf course.’ So what makes Kingswood different? Golf operators Liesel Niehaus and Mike Quinn gave us the lowdown.

3 min readOnce considered futuristic, smart homes and offices are now a reality. We never seem to have enough new tech, with products added daily to improve efficiency and convenience.

6 min readFive years ago, springbok were introduced to Kingswood and their numbers are growing. I chatted to Dan de Wet, Facilities and Compliance Manager, and Kingswood resident and former game farmer, Andries Vermeulen, about these beauties who are there for the benefit of all residents of the estate.

3 min readFor some it’s golf, for some it’s the proximity to the Garden Route, and for some it’s the convenience of living in a big town with a small-town heart – or is it a small town with big-town facilities? But for many residents, the privilege of being close to wildlife is the best part of living in Kingswood.

6 min readIn the world of design, decor and dinnerware, the George-based business Wonki Ware is a household name in South Africa, and abroad. Recently I met up with Wonki Ware’s founder and creator, and Kingswood resident, Di Marshall to find out more about her extraordinary business, and her vision for the future.

4 min readThe recent announcement by the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, of a tariff freeze preventing the water boards from increasing their charges sounds like a good idea, but it is likely to have serious consequences.

4 min readBack in the Victorian era, it was said, children should be seen and not heard. They ate in the kitchen with the staff (who were considered to be barely human) and were expected to keep out of the way. Unless, of course, they were working in the mines, sweeping chimneys or polishing boots.

3 min readOwners and occupiers of community sectional title housing schemes and private gated developments run by homeowners associations (HOAs) have until the end of June 2021 to ensure that their record-keeping systems are compliant with the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act that came into effect on 1 July 2020. Failure to adhere to the new Act carries the risk of prosecution and a heavy fine.

4 min readThey say truth is stranger than fiction, and we all know that facts have a way of inspiring fiction. But, sometimes, fiction has a way of superseding fact, and nowhere is this more evident than in Mauritius, where you will find monuments to famous people who never actually lived. But, hey, why should we let facts get in the way of a good story?

3 min readCurrently in his second term as a Kingswood HOA trustee member, Gerrit Botha cherishes the estate and its serene, picturesque surroundings dearly. ‘We won’t move again,’ he firmly declared on a bright sunny morning over a cup of coffee.

3 min readLize Baard, the well-loved and extremely experienced bookkeeper of Kingswood, has been part of the team for the past 17 years – almost since Day One. And she regards it as a major privilege to live and work in this sublimely heavenly abode.

2 min readThe Kingswood HOA has been in control of the golf course maintenance for about three months now, since finalising the acquisition at the end of October 2020.

3 min readFor Jack Probart, a Kingswood home owner and entrepreneur par excellence, there are no half measures. You either do a thing wholeheartedly and properly, or leave it. It is obvious that this motto works for him, judging by the success of his now global wealth management business, Affluence Capital.

4 min readWith the nationwide rainfall that we have enjoyed, some courtesy of Tropical Storm Eloise, most of our large dams are now full. The media is reporting that our water worries are over, at least for the time being. But is this the case, or is this just a blip in a general downward trend? As with many things, to predict the future, we need to look at the past.