MAIN IMAGE: Myles Wakefield – CEO of Wakefield’s Real Estate, and Grant Gavin – broker/owner RE/MAX Panache
Kerry Dimmer
The North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal is experiencing some dynamic changes. Focusing on Ballito, KwaDukuza NU, and Salt Rock, Rainmaker Marketing’s April Report highlighted tracked recent buyer activity across a range of demographics, and where there are prospective investment areas for growth, which will largely manifest due to new key infrastructure projects, among them road and retail.
These areas have seen exponential growth in their adult populations, with 290 adults moving into the area each month. Another factor is the average monthly household income, which has increased by an average of 645%, 504%, and 390%, respectively, for Salt Rock, Ballito, and KwaDukuza NU.
One of the defining features of Salt Rock and Ballito is the strong concentration of high-income households, with “70% of Salt Rock’s households falling into the wealthy and super-wealthy brackets. Ballito reflects a broader income mix, with 50% in the wealthy and super-wealthy categories,” says Rainmaker.
Buyer activity
Across the three areas, there is a predominance of buyers aged between 36 and 49. Rainmaker defines the types of buyers:
- Ballito and Salt Rock: mature families, empty-nesters and active retirees who seek secure estate living and a desirable lifestyle in a convenient coastal location.
- KwaDukuza NU: young professionals, growing families, and first-time homebuyers seeking career opportunities, family amenities, and a balanced lifestyle.
The North Coast pullcards
However, it is not just those three particular areas that are hyping up KZN’s North Coast attraction. There are other indicators that suggest the province is a rising hot spot. Property transactions for the period March 2024- February 2025 show a total volume of sales of 1,414, with a total value of R4,444-billion, says Rainmaker.
Myles Wakefield, CEO of Wakefield’s Real Estate, confirms that KZN is seeing a noticeable resurgence. “From where we stand, we’ve seen a steady increase in sales volumes; up by around 20% year-on-year since June 2024. This aligns closely with the trends highlighted in the Rainmaker Report. The recent political stability, renewed infrastructure investment, and a general uplift in sentiment have all contributed to growing confidence in KZN as a prime residential and investment destination.”
Grant Gavin, broker/owner RE/MAX Panache, operating primarily across North Durban, La Lucia, Umhlanga, Umdloti and the north, concurs with Wakefield about not suggesting the province is emerging, but rather “re-emerging”. Gavin says that the relocation of the King Shaka Airport started this emergence, but more so after the Covid pandemic, when the KZN North Coast became a popular destination for people looking to move to the area for lifestyle reasons.
“The fundamentals of what the area offers have never changed, and the KZN North Coast lifestyle simply cannot be matched. The region has weathered difficult storms, like riots and floods, yet the investment into continued development is testament to the potential it offers.”
Lifestyle
As Wakefield points out, there is a quality of life that is hard to beat. “Buyers are looking for secure, well-maintained environments with good schools, upmarket shopping centres and easy access to clean beaches. Areas like Sheffield Beach and Salt Rock tick all those boxes with the combination of convenient and well-managed development where the momentum has been particularly strong. The North Coast has become a compelling alternative to the Western Cape.”
In many ways, the North Coast really is a serious competitor to the Western Cape, which has long been considered or perceived as the most desirable for residence. For example, it’s close to the Cape Town International Airport, but so too is King Shaka Airport, merely 10 minutes away from the coastal regions in KZN.
Both regions also have a strong presence of gated communities, including prestigious golf and wildlife estates. “Buyers are also spoiled for choice, though in KZN with gated estate options, all with their own lifestyle element,” says Gavin. “Alongside is continued development of schools, business parks, and retail centres to cater for the families moving to the area, which is very well controlled from a security aspect. And the beaches are world-class.”
Estates are mentioned specifically because, as Wakefield points out, they remain the most sought-after option. “Affordability also plays a key role. With free-standing homes in shorter supply at accessible price points, many buyers are trading space for security, and choosing sectional title options within estates where they feel their needs are better met,” he says.
Rentals are also in demand
Even rentals are in strong demand, particularly for long-term leases. “Many prospective buyers are opting to rent first before committing to a purchase,” says Wakefield. “It’s a cautious but optimistic approach, renting for 12 to 18 months while they get a feel for the area. That said, we are seeing a growing number of those renters transitioning into homeowners once they’ve settled in.”
Many of those are semigrants. Rainmaker’s report shows some 1300 of them in 2023/2024: 800 from Gauteng, 200 from the Western Cape, and 300 from across SA. There is quite a bit of building activity too, with an increase in residential building of 32% over the same two years.
“It’s good to see KZN in the limelight,” says Gavin. “It suffered badly from a PR perspective after the riots and floods. It’s almost like it was forgotten about for a short period of time, but it has fought back with resilience.”
“It’s clear that KwaZulu-Natal is positioning itself as one of the country’s most exciting residential markets,” concludes Wakefield.
