An architect's view

According to historians, New Year’s Day has been celebrated for over four millennia. But this time, we had to dig really deep to find the good that came from 2020. On the other hand, we could talk for hours about what went wrong. However, to have this conversation is senseless; because it is clear that nobody was left unaffected by the absolute devastation that 2020 brought to this planet. Like a tsunami, the COVID-19 virus hit every shore, on every continent, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.

- Wynand Tromp

Surely, most of us were cynical about what 2021 has to offer. Everyone knows that the tsunami has not passed yet. The new year is already getting off to a rough start. Perhaps this is still just the aftermath of the destruction. Perhaps this is an indication of what 2021 is going to bring. No one knows, unfortunately.

In the construction industry, this uncertainty is most visible. There are very few individuals willing to embark on risky construction projects, not knowing what the future holds. Very few individuals will at this stage risk putting shovel to soil by investing money in projects that might ruin them financially.

However, it could be expected that many local and foreign investors, including property developers and big corporates, should be considering their options and analyzing opportunities in the South African property market. The weak Rand also presents foreign property investors, from leading economies, opportunities to buy into the local market, with returns not easily achievable in developed economies.

“Can we afford to move into a new office space?”

“Will I get tenants should we start construction of this office building now?”

“I know it’s a buyers’ market now, but if I develop this residential block, will I even be making a profit from the sales of the units?”

Strategic thinking is required