KNOW YOUR ’HOOD
In each issue of Home Weekly we take a look at one of South Africa’s top suburbs or towns. This week we find out more about family-friendly Port Edward on the Hibiscus Coast in southern KwaZulu-Natal
NITTY-GRITTY
• Port Edward, the southernmost coastal town in KwaZulu-Natal, is 150km from Durban and the setting of many a summer (or winter) holiday for plenty of South Africans. As with many Natal towns, Port Edward was named, in 1925, after the Prince of Wales, who would later become King Edward VIII. • The area includes Black Rock, Ivy Beach, Glenmore, Leisure Bay, Palm Beach, Salmon Bay, Rennies Beach and Rocklands, among others. • The larger area in which Port Edward is situated is called the Hibiscus Coast and the name describes the natural beauty and tropical-paradise feel synonymous with the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. • Not surprisingly, the major industry in the area is tourism and with idyllic beaches, plenty of dolphin and whale sightings and water sports galore, the town is as popular today as ever. There is plenty of unspoilt natural vegetation, which is home to wildlife including an abundance of birdlife. • “Port Edward is perfect for quality family time,” says Sheryl Schilz, an independent contractor with Remax by the Sea.
“Port Edward village itself is quaint, with family restaurants and shops. There are interesting drives with pottery, various crafts and a coffee plantation tour close by.” • Trevor Smith of Port Edward Realty 1 says locals enjoy the laid-back pace, the relatively low crime rate and the friendliness one only finds in a small community.
“The larger towns of Margate and Shelly Beach are only 15 minutes away and they have all the major shops,” he says. “Today a number of the large chains like Spar, Build It, KFC and three of the major banks operate in Port Edward itself.”
PRICE POINTS
“When we moved to Port Edward 22 years ago from Durban, we bought and operated our own real estate company and were selling homes in a very slow market from R80 000 to R400 000. Today, the market is pretty active, with homes selling from R650 000 to R3.8-million,” says Smith.
Schilz says that properties in Port Edward are mainly freestanding houses.
“We do offer sectional-title developments, but the area is not zoned for high-rise development. The most recent development is the 137ha Ekubo Coastal Estate, which extends from Leisure Bay to the Port Edward beachfront. It’s an up-market, Bali-style, eco-estate with excellent security and top-drawer facilities. The estate does have some sectional-title developments, but the sites are predominantly spacious freestanding stands.
“The Estuary is a well-established beachfront development and caters for holiday investments and permanent residents. Facilities include a restaurant, wedding venue with a chapel and a day spa. The beachfront and properties within easy proximity to the beaches are more in demand than properties further back,” Schilz adds. “Sea views are also of importance and properties that meet these criteria are more in demand and in the higher price range.”
IN THE MARKET
“Port Edward’s market is mainly for holiday homes with a small percentage of permanent residents and retired folk,” says Schilz.
“There is a well-established retirement village with excellent facilities in Banners Rest. The size of the units varies from studio units to spacious three-bedroom units and these are priced from R500 000 to R1.2-million. The Edwardian is also an established development located in Port Edward and offers residential units, apartments, a restaurant and hotel.”
Smith agrees, adding that there is also a vibrant farming community in the surrounding area.