The residential property market of Clanwilliam in the Cape, the small town at the northern end of the 20 km Clanwilliam Dam, 220 km from Cape Town, has been decidedly sluggish for at least a year, says Wally Willies, Rawson Properties franchisee for Clanwilliam and the entire surrounding area. But this could change radically in the next 12 months because it has now been confirmed that the Department of Water Affairs will be raising the dam wall by 13,5 m, thereby increasing the dam’s capacity by almost 40%. This, in turn, will enable the Department to irrigate an even larger area below the dam wall than they currently do – virtually every plot over the next 50 km does in fact have access to a water channel.
“These changes,” said Willies recently, “will lead to the entire Clanwilliam waterfront being changed and to a number of exciting modern waterfront developments increasing in value because of greater demand.
His Rawson Properties franchise, said Willies, has mandates for many properties in these developments priced from approximately R380 000 for a single plot to approximately R1.4 million for a two or three bedroom house and up to R6.9 million for a luxury home with world-class views. The apartments will range in price from R750 000 to R1.3 million.
“We are predicting a big rise in the popularity of the local watersports, especially waterskiing and fishing,” said Willies
“The vast majority of those living here are Afrikaans speaking, and a high percentage of them are retirees,” said Willies, “but we also have a flourishing Cape Town Jewish community who keep second homes on the water’s edge and are avid water-sports enthusiasts. We also have many regular English speaking weekenders who have owned homes here sometimes for years on end. They come not just because they enjoy the watersports but also because they appreciate the calm, friendly village lifestyle and the dry, warm climate.”
Clanwilliam village, added Willies, is far larger and more active than most people realize. It has some 1500 middle class homes and is the focal point of rooibos, citrus and mixed farming, as well as, being a hub for visitors when spring flowers abound. It has numerous churches and schools, including an agricultural school that takes learners as far as Grade 12. It also has a good hospital, several retail outlets and numerous hospitality venues, one of which, the Saint du Barrys guest house - which is owned and run by him and his wife. Although kept busy by his guest house and by residential enquiries, Willies said he can introduce buyers to a wide selection of farms stretching past Graafwater to Lambert’s Bay, both of which form part of his territory.
Willies is a former Professor of English from the North West University. He and his wife have lived in Clanwilliam for 11 years and thoroughly enjoy the town. He has had the Rawson Properties franchise for just over a year now.
