OPENING UP OWNERSHIP

Developments proving to be an important gateway for many first-time buyers, including young couples and single mothers, as prices in the area are considered reasonable

CREATED in the 1970s by the apartheid government as a “model” town to house victims of forced removals under the Group Areas Act, Mitchells Plain on the Cape Flats is made up of several suburbs.

It contained various types of housing – duplexes, semi-detached homes and free-standing houses – with cheaper options further from the city centre and transport routes. More expensive properties with bigger stands were nearer the freeway, the main transport route to Cape Town, about 30km away.

Nevertheless, there were a limited number of home designs and one of the most striking features of Mitchells Plain, says RealNet franchisee Astrid Smith-De Gruchy, is how similar properties are in each suburb.

“Only about 30% of homes have been upgraded and buying patterns haven’t really changed, so each suburb still tends to be populated only by particular income groups. Some are home to those who depend on disability and pension grants. Others are home almost exclusively to high-earning professionals.”

Many residents choose to stay in Mitchells Plain close to family and friends instead of moving out and this has added to its lively property market, she says.

Local Shaheen Jafta, Independent Media’s SME consultant for advertising, says while there are still many socio-economic problems in the area, some places still have a sense of community. “In mine, Portlands and in Rocklands, communities still stand together and look out for one another.

“While children play outside you still see old ladies watching over them.”

There are always developments on the market to cater for demand. The latest, Rondevlei Park, has twoand three-bedroom homes from R649 900 to R879 900. Eldora Close in Colorado Park offers up-market three-bedroom homes from R1.069 million to R1.249m.

“Given property prices in other parts of Cape Town, the less expensive units in Mitchells Plain, beginning from around R200 000, are an important gateway to ownership for many first-time buyers, including

Homes in Morgans Village and Westridge sell for R450 000 - R750 000. PICTURES: TRACEY ADAMS/ AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY

Mitchells Plain on the Cape Flats comprised of several suburbs.