No other country has been more central to the shifting tides of modern history than South Africa since apartheid ended in the early 1990s. It now seems incredible that such a thing existed not long ago, although it is true that it has not been a path of roses since the formation of the new republic of South Africa, it is also fair to say that the country has shown a maturity and will to move forward that has exceeded expectations. Much praise for this must, of course, go to Nelson Mandela, who, even as he stepped down as president in 1999, has remained a figurehead for positive and peaceful progress.

So now that the great man has retired from public service, what can we expect from visiting tourists and those thinking of investing in modern South Africa?

South Africa has always been known as ‘the jewel of Africa’. In a continent known for its lush wildlife and stunning scenery, this is not an easy title to maintain. However, it is the fact that South Africa offers so much that makes it so popular. The country has a world-class infrastructure with modern highways, trains, buses, and internal flights that make it easy to get around. South Africa is also known for having more than 3,500 kilometers of paradisiacal coastline, more than 20 national parks and a variety of World Heritage sites. All this, wonderful weather, and so many activities to keep the hardest-to-please smiling all day, from scuba diving to cultural sights and trails, golf, great food and wine, it’s easy to see why this country has become so popular.

There is so much to see in this great country, including the western coast, with pristine beaches and an epic mountain range, this is a great destination to experience charming old fishing villages and the best seafood in South Africa. There is always an abundance of nature here, with the West Coast spring gushing into glorious carpets of flowers covering the ground, a favorite with hikers, as is bird and whale watching.

The Elephant Coast stretches from Lake Saint Lucia, a recognized World Heritage site, to the south of Kosi Bay. This is a beautiful wilderness, an untamed area that is becoming increasingly popular with those seeking extraordinary geology and ecosystems, along with a taste of adventure. There are two world-famous parks here, the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park (with over 1,500 white rhinos) and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. In this region you will find pristine wetlands populated by birds and the largest group of indigenous African elephants in the country.

For those seeking South Africa off the beaten track, there are many other amazing destinations worth mentioning. Namaqualand is known to be one of the most beautiful places in the world when it transforms in the spring from a barren landscape to a sea of ​​vivid wildflowers.

KwaZulu-Natal’s battlefields will appeal to history buffs as it is home to the historic wars of the British, Boers and Zulu. Known as the home of some of the bloodiest battles including the Battle of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, immortalized in the classic 1964 Zulu film. This is a beautiful land with a serene landscape.

Drakensberg (which means Dragon Mountain in Afrikaans) is the wild west of South Africa. An impressive mountain range, with peaks that exceed 3,400 meters. The range forms a border between the Kingdom of Lesotho and the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Drakensberg is known for its flora, fishing, climbing, horse riding, rafting, hiking and the world’s second highest waterfall, the impressive 850 meter Tugela Falls. This is a great place to vacation, as excellent vacation destinations, hotels, and resorts can be found here.

For wine lovers, the Cape vineyards of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are the ideal place. Wine tours take place along the best wine estates in South Africa, outings that involve experiencing the inspiring views of the surrounding Cape Town with its mountains and valleys. Coupled with the wine production of these wine-growing lands which has gained worldwide acclaim, makes this a popular holiday option for those seeking some of the best wine the country has to offer.

The Cape Peninsula is known for its world class beaches and surrounding mountains. This part of the country is one of its most popular holiday destinations, with tourists from all over the world coming here giving it a very cosmopolitan feel. With the country’s capital Cape Town leading the way and the rich and diverse land that surrounds it, there is much to enjoy in this part of the country alone. Unsurprisingly, the city itself is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. A fun, happy, sociable and sporty city, this is a place you should never miss when visiting this country that has more than its fair share of impressive sights.

The wonderful diversity that South Africa offers is what attracts more and more tourists every year throughout the year. How many other countries in the world can offer world-class infrastructure, unbridled wilderness, some of the best beaches in the world, fantastic cities, and great weather all rolled into one? As such, South Africa is also fast becoming a major destination for buyers looking to invest.

Two- and three-bedroom houses can be purchased starting at €100,000, depending on location and type of construction. Detached villas can be found from a very competitive starting price, with three beds from €120,000. If you are thinking of buying a property in South Africa, it is of course advisable to do some research on the property acquisition process in the country; however, foreign nationals have been investing in property in South Africa for many years and the business is well established.

Some helpful buying tips to keep in mind:

• There are no restrictions for foreigners buying property in South Africa. Although there is a sophisticated land registration system that makes freehold common and leasing the less common concept.

• Immovable property in South Africa is known as ‘immovable property’.

• There are transfer fees that must be paid. Current transfer rights are R25,000 for properties between R500,000 and R1,000,000 and R25,000 + an additional 8% of value above R1m for properties above R1,000,000.

• If purchased off-plan, transfer fees are usually waived.

• Area is everything in South Africa. Making sure you are buying in a good, secure location is of greater importance than the size and style of the property and should come first in the decision process.

• Although foreign citizens can buy real estate in South Africa, it does not automatically follow that foreign citizens can also buy the right to extract minerals from that real estate.

• The South African government recognizes the autonomy of some tribes in certain areas. Once you have found the correct region in which you would like to search for a property, it is advisable to ensure that you check if the property falls under this jurisdiction and, if so, ensure that your legal representation is capable, as it will be necessary to know many different local variants. necessary to ensure a successful purchase.