Property

The small town once home to the billionaire Rupert family which is quickly becoming South Africa’s new semigration hotspot

Kirsten Minnaar • 14 September 2026

Graaff-Reinet, the birthplace of the billionaire Rupert family, is emerging as a South African semigration hotspot.

The small town is attracting retirees, remote workers, and families seeking affordable property and a slower pace of life.

Graaff-Reinet is the fourth-oldest town in South Africa, with a history closely linked to the expansion of the Cape Colony into the Karoo.

The town was established in 1786 by Landdrost Mauritz Woeke, who was sent from Cape Town to establish a settlement for the trekboers farming in the region.

He chose a site along the Sundays River and named it Graaff-Reinet after Cape Governor Cornelis Jacob van de Graaff and his wife, Reynet.

European farmers had already moved into the surrounding area during the 1770s in search of grazing for their cattle and sheep.

Their expansion brought them into conflict with the indigenous San communities, which continued for decades.

Graaff-Reinet also developed a reputation for challenging colonial authority. In 1795, local burghers removed the colonial officials and established their own administration.

This briefly created an independent republic. Locals rebelled against British rule again in 1799, but the uprising was eventually suppressed.

The town became an important regional centre during the 19th century. Artisans, traders, and other settlers moved to Graaff-Reinet, while the surrounding Camdeboo developed into an important wool-producing region.

The arrival of the railway from Port Elizabeth in 1879 made the town a key commercial centre and provided a link to the diamond fields and, later, the Witwatersrand.

Graaff-Reinet also played a role in the Anglo-Boer War when the town was used as a military centre, while nearby areas saw fighting between British forces and Boer commandos.

After the war, the town became an important centre for education and agriculture. The construction of the Van Ryneveld Dam in 1925 also provided Graaff-Reinet with its first regular municipal water supply.

The town is also the birthplace of the billionaire Rupert family. From 1965 to 1981, Anton Rupert supported the restoration of many of the town’s historic buildings, helping preserve 220 listed national monuments.

Today, Graaff-Reinet remains known for its historic architecture and its position within the Karoo, with the town’s heritage forming an important part of its tourism appeal.

Graaff-Reinet’s property boom

Eastern Cape small towns across the Karoo, such as Graaff-Reinet, have seen a surge in demand, driven by semigration buyers, retirees, young families, and remote workers seeking a stress-free lifestyle.

Buyers are relocating from major cities to retire or start small businesses, capitalising on attractive property valuations and countryside living.

According to Seeff Country Licensee Jaco Badenhorst, these rural economies thrive on a robust blend of agriculture and tourism.

Low crime rates, strong infrastructure, good schools, and proximity to regional commercial centres make these towns highly appealing.

Investors and homebuyers are securing exceptional value for money while enjoying safe, outdoor-oriented communities with reliable local services and strong growth potential.

Graaff-Reinet, in particular, continues to attract buyer interest for its value, lifestyle appeal, and investment potential, Badenhorst said.

Demand has accelerated among investors, semigration buyers, retirees and remote-working professionals drawn by the town’s stability, heritage, municipal management, and quality of life.

As a result, property values have surged and show little signs of slowing. Over the past 12 months, the market recorded R145 million in residential and commercial property sales.

Activity has been strongest in the R1.2 million to R2 million price bracket, where homes remain affordable compared with other lifestyle destinations and offer potential for rental income.

Tourism growth, together with demand for long- and short-term accommodation, continues to support healthy owner returns.

The town’s appeal is increasingly linked to its well-managed environment, architecture, community, and Karoo lifestyle.

Investment by the Rupert family and other high-net-worth individuals has reinforced confidence in its long-term prospects.

Limited stock and sustained demand have created a competitive market, especially for well-maintained Karoo homes with historic character and modern upgrades.

This trend is creating strong opportunities for sellers, investors and lifestyle buyers seeking value, stability, and growth.