Kingswood BUZZard
The official Newsletter of the Kingswood Golf Estate HOA
April 2022 Edition #7
From the CEO
Welcome to our first edition of The BUZZard 2022
The first quarter of the year is already behind us, and if there were any thoughts that this year would afford us a respite from the challenges experienced in 2021, the shocking events unfolding in the Ukraine and the impact they are having on the world have put a swift end to any such hopes.
We are, together with the rest of the world, strapped in for this ride. The domestic interest rate rose for the first time in three years from 7.0% in October last year to its current level of 7.75%, and most economists are expecting another 1.25% rise before the end of 2023. The global economy and the shortage of food supply, especially commodities like wheat and cooking oil, are contributing to rising inflation throughout the world, and South Africa will not escape its impact. Add to this the volatility in the price of crude oil due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with domestic fuel prices reaching all-time highs, and we have a recipe for tough times ahead.
Let’s all pray that this senseless war comes to an end very soon!
Thankfully, inside the tranquil borders of our beautiful estate the challenges facing us and the world seem very far away, with children playing, new springbok lambs being born, and a record number of new homes being erected all over the estate. If the last two years taught us anything, it’s that Kingswood homeowners are resilient and resourceful, rising above any challenge thrown at us.
Kingswood Golf Estate has proven itself in recent years to be the best real estate investment on the Garden Route, with one of our residential properties recently selling for a whopping R12.9 million. This, together with exciting future development prospects on the estate, truly makes Kingswood the jewel of the Garden Route.
The Board of Trustees conducted extensive strategic planning during February, and will continue this in April, to create a road map for Kingswood Golf Estate for the future. I will share more information on this in our next issue of The BUZZard; see the Kingswood HOA update article for context of the planning.
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Please note, The newsletter is designed like a magazine, the articles and images flow over two or more pages.
I hope you all enjoy this issue of The BUZZard.
Kingswood greetings,
Willem Jacobs
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Kingswood BUZZard News
Kingswood Golf
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.
Are you insured against fire?
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.
Local ‘n Lekka – Family is Juan Van Der Merwe’s most Treasured Tenure
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.
The growth of the small town
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.
