Property

Buyers are flocking to South Africa’s new affordable Cape Town

Kirsten Minnaar • 12 September 2026

Sibaya is becoming KwaZulu-Natal’s affordable alternative to Cape Town’s luxury Atlantic Seaboard, with high-end homes, coastal living and world-class amenities.

With an R48 billion development pipeline, Sibaya is becoming one of South Africa’s most ambitious coastal property hubs.

Its development is helping drive the broader transformation of the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast from a holiday destination into a more permanent residential and commercial corridor.

According to Pam Golding Properties area principal Carol Reynolds, R8 billion has already been invested in Sibaya, with a further R48 billion development pipeline anticipated over the next decade.

“Several developments are already approaching sell-out, while new phases are continuing to come to market,” Reynolds said.

The scale of the future pipeline is also reflected in eThekwini Municipality’s planning, which describes Sibaya as a seven-node mixed-use development.

It incorporates residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, education and recreational facilities. The municipality estimated the broader development will continue through to 2036.

The broader Sibaya precinct is designed around an integrated mix of homes, retail, offices, restaurants, leisure facilities and other services.

Existing developments include Salta, Gold Coast Estate, Pebble Beach and OceanDune, alongside Marine Walk Shopping Centre and retirement offerings.

The precinct’s master plan includes substantial future development. Current plans include further residential expansion, commercial opportunities, and infrastructure upgrades to support the growing population.

This is already changing the character of the area. Rather than relying on people travelling to nearby Durban or uMhlanga for shopping, work and entertainment, Sibaya is developing into a self-contained community.

The official Sibaya Precinct described the area as a mixed-use development spanning residential, retirement, commercial and retail property, with thousands of future residential units planned.

Property demand remains strong

The scale of investment is being matched by demand for homes. Reynolds said several developments are approaching sell-out, while new phases continue to enter the market.

Salta Estate, which comprises several residential components, is nearly sold out. Only a handful of retirement properties remain at Capri, while a limited number of vacant stands are still available at Solara and Mount Cotton.

At the Mount Cotton security estate, property sale prices for vacant stands range from R2 million to more than R5 million.

At Solara, land starts at R1.39 million for an 853 sqm stand and rises to R2.59 million for sites larger than 4,000 sqm.

Meanwhile, Capri caters to the retirement market, with retirement land priced from R1.295 million to R1.45 million. Homes start at R3.67 million. When it comes to apartments, studios at Coral Point start at R1.5 million.

This broad range of prices allows Sibaya to attract buyers across different stages of life, from younger professionals and families to retirees and investors.

One of Sibaya’s biggest selling points is its combination of luxury and relative affordability compared with established coastal markets.

Reynolds said Sibaya’s luxury homes are increasingly competing with some of the most sought-after properties on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard.

“Luxury homes in Sibaya are increasingly comparable in terms of quality and lifestyle to some of the most sought-after properties on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, while offering considerably better value per square metre.”

Homes in Salta start in the high R4 millions, while retirement homes are available from the mid-R3 millions. At the luxury end, Signature Estate is commanding substantially higher prices.

Homes currently range from R35 million to R60 million, while vacant land can reach R15 million for a 2,000 sqm site.

This puts Sibaya firmly on the radar of high-net-worth buyers while retaining a sizable market for more affordable apartments and family homes.