Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has published a series of gazettes which officially introduce localised hotspot restrictions in South Africa.
The gazettes give effect to an address made by president Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday evening (3 December), in which he announced that local restrictions will be introduced for the Nelson Mandela Bay area.
While the Metropole is specifically provided for in the first gazette, Dlamini-Zuma also published a second gazette which introduces the concept of ‘hotspots’ under the current level 1 lockdown restrictions.
This section is not specific to any one area, but rather provides generalised rules for hotspot areas which could arise in the country going forward. They also provide more information than what was announced during Ramaphosa’s address.
A third explanatory gazette has confirmed that, other than in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan area, lockdown level one measures will continue to apply until further notice.
You can read more about the hotspot rules below.
Movement of persons
Every person is confined to his or her place of residence from 22h00 until 04h00 daily, except where a person:
- Has been granted a permit to perform a service other than an essential service; or
- Is attending to a security or medical emergency
Attendance of funerals
Attendance at a funeral is limited to 100 persons or less, provided that not more than 50% of the capacity of the venue is used, with persons observing a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other.
- Night vigils are not allowed;
- After -funeral gatherings are not allowed in areas determined as hotspots;
- During a funeral, a person must wear a face mask and adhere to all health protocols and social distancing measures.
Sale and dispensing of liquor
For purposes of an area determined as a hotspot, the sale of liquor by licensed premises for off-site consumption is only permitted from 10h00 to 18h00, from Mondays to Thursdays, excluding Fridays. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
The consumption of liquor in public places, except in licensed on-site consumption premises, is not permitted. The sale and/or consumption of liquor in contravention of the above is an offence.
Gatherings
Every person, when attending a gathering and in order to limit exposure to Covid-19 must:
- Wear a face mask;
- Adhere to all health protocols;
- Maintain a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other; and
- Adhere to any other health protocols and social distancing measures as provided for in directions issued by government.
An owner or operator of any indoor or outdoor facility where gatherings are held must display the certificate of occupancy which sets out the maximum number of persons the facility may hold.
Gatherings at faith-based institutions, workplace functions, political events, and other social events are limited to 100 persons or less in case of an indoor gathering, and 250 persons or less in case of an outdoor gathering. This is provided that no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue is used, with persons observing a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other.
Gatherings at cinemas, theatres and occasions are allowed provided they do not exceed 50% of venue capacity.
Sports grounds, fields, beaches, public parks, museums, galleries, libraries and archives will all remain open, subject to social distancing measures.
Offences and penalties
Any person who fails to comply with or contravenes one of the above regulations commits an offence and is, on conviction, liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both a fine and imprisonment.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
The 10 Most Popular Estates in South Africa to Retire To
New data from analytics group Lightstone shows which estates in South Africa are drawing the most retirees.
According to Lightstone, which has been tracking the retirement property industry for the last 20 years, the sector has evolved from limited options to now include an array of lifestyle estate options, sectional title or lock-up-and-go as well as the upmarket coastal home.
In a view of the total volume of properties transacted over the last decade the group noted that the majority of transfers were conducted in Gauteng with the most transactions (2,883) in 2013 with Western Cape showing a slight peak in 2017.
Esteani Marx, head of real estate at Lightstone said that the trend of Gauteng enjoying the most collective transfers is not surprising as the most property transactions across demographics and value bands transpire in this province.
“When we investigate the value bands in the retirement category, the view is rather different over the last decade,” Marx said.
Gauteng enjoyed higher transfers in value from 2010, and remained the front runner for the next six years. From 2015, transactions in the higher value bands started to climb in the Western Cape and continued to do so until late in 2019.
During 2018 the variance in value between Western Cape and its closest competitor, Gauteng was more than R1,000,000 and compared to Kwazulu-Natal over R2,000,000.
Lightstone has consistently reported that the property market in the Western Cape has been higher in value vs volume over the last several years.
“In a holistic view of the top ten most popular estates for the 60+ market in terms of volume, five are located in the Western Cape making the Mother City the most attractive retirement destination with 754 transactions since 2018,” Marx said.
Analysis of South Africa’s top 10 most popular estates in the retiree age bracket (over 60) indicates that Waterfront Residential Estate had the highest volume growth since 2018 with 320 transactions, followed by Euphoria Golf Estate located in Modimolle with 314 transactions and thirdly, Urban Ridge South Retirement Estate based in Midrand with 232 transactions.
In the Western Cape, estate living is the most popular property type in contrast to Gauteng and Kwazulu Natal where sectional title is the most sought after option, and a much smaller percentage of transactions occur within estates.
As indicated in the below graph, Marx notes that freehold properties, which are usually the most popular choice across age and income groups is far less attractive to this age group with a fractional volume compared to the other two options.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
Cape Town Launches Free Electric Car Charging Station
The City of Cape Town has launched its first public electric vehicle (EV) charging station, situated in the parking area of the Bellville Civic Centre.
This is the first of two solar-powered EV charging stations that will be offered free-of-charge for the first two years to members of the public, the city said.
The sites were chosen because of their convenient, safe and visible locations and the chargers were donated by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
“Transport is the second biggest contributor to the carbon intensity of Cape Town’s economy. This is exacerbated by urban sprawl and the long distances freight has to travel over a country as large as South Africa.
“Increased congestion and inefficiencies not only increase the city’s transport-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), largely driving climate change, they worsen air quality and contribute to adverse health impacts on residents,” the city said.
How it works:
“The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the devastating economic impact that global crises can have and has shown that planning for climate resilience and reducing emissions is increasingly important,” said the city’s Phindile Maxiti.
“This kind of proactive response to climate change will also assist our city’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as the green economy offers new opportunities for businesses and jobseekers.
“It also helps to ensure that the local economy can continue to trade competitively in a global world that is rapidly rejecting carbon-intensive goods and services.”
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
Love + Relo Africa Week Webinar: HR Mobility Topics
Our MD, Rene Stegmann, recenttly participated in the Love + Relo Africa Week webinar, which centered around HR Mobility Topics.
The webinar was co-hosted by Ben Cross and Ben Sookia, and featured Candice Watson, Group Executive HR at AECI.
To watch the recording, click here.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
New COVID Hotspot Rules for South Africa
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has published a series of gazettes which officially introduce localised hotspot restrictions in South Africa.
The gazettes give effect to an address made by president Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday evening (3 December), in which he announced that local restrictions will be introduced for the Nelson Mandela Bay area.
While the Metropole is specifically provided for in the first gazette, Dlamini-Zuma also published a second gazette which introduces the concept of ‘hotspots’ under the current level 1 lockdown restrictions.
This section is not specific to any one area, but rather provides generalised rules for hotspot areas which could arise in the country going forward. They also provide more information than what was announced during Ramaphosa’s address.
A third explanatory gazette has confirmed that, other than in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan area, lockdown level one measures will continue to apply until further notice.
You can read more about the hotspot rules below.
Movement of persons
Every person is confined to his or her place of residence from 22h00 until 04h00 daily, except where a person:
Attendance of funerals
Attendance at a funeral is limited to 100 persons or less, provided that not more than 50% of the capacity of the venue is used, with persons observing a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other.
Sale and dispensing of liquor
For purposes of an area determined as a hotspot, the sale of liquor by licensed premises for off-site consumption is only permitted from 10h00 to 18h00, from Mondays to Thursdays, excluding Fridays. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
The consumption of liquor in public places, except in licensed on-site consumption premises, is not permitted. The sale and/or consumption of liquor in contravention of the above is an offence.
Gatherings
Every person, when attending a gathering and in order to limit exposure to Covid-19 must:
An owner or operator of any indoor or outdoor facility where gatherings are held must display the certificate of occupancy which sets out the maximum number of persons the facility may hold.
Gatherings at faith-based institutions, workplace functions, political events, and other social events are limited to 100 persons or less in case of an indoor gathering, and 250 persons or less in case of an outdoor gathering. This is provided that no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue is used, with persons observing a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other.
Gatherings at cinemas, theatres and occasions are allowed provided they do not exceed 50% of venue capacity.
Sports grounds, fields, beaches, public parks, museums, galleries, libraries and archives will all remain open, subject to social distancing measures.
Offences and penalties
Any person who fails to comply with or contravenes one of the above regulations commits an offence and is, on conviction, liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both a fine and imprisonment.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].