February 6, 2024
A note from our director
A Note from our Director
The outlook for the South African property market for 2024 remains optimistic – this is driven by several key factors. One stand-out factor is that interest rates are expected to decrease soon, which means that housing affordability is likely to improve, in return attracting more potential buyers into the market. This will create a favourable environment for prospective homebuyers.
Historically, a seller’s market is characterized by high demand and limited inventory, empowering property owners to negotiate favourable terms. With the anticipated decrease in interest rates, cost of borrowing decreases and sellers can expect increased competition among buyers, potentially driving up property prices.
Financial institutions and policymakers are closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing the need for a balanced market that benefits both buyers and sellers. The impact of interest rate fluctuations on the property market underscores the interconnected nature of economic variables and their influence on the real estate sector.
As the year progresses, the South African property market is poised for a dynamic transformation. Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, staying informed and adapting to these changing dynamics will be crucial for making informed decisions in this evolving real estate landscape.
Overall, whilst the market is anticipated to offer opportunities, we urge you to stay informed by regularly checking in with your local property professional (Agent), mortgage originator and/or bank to do a pre-qualification and know that all 5, soon to be 6, of the KVV Inc offices, will gladly guide you through the buying and selling process – this year and beyond!
KVV Inc: Fostering partnerships and driving results.
Diaan van Wyk | Director
December 14, 2023
A note from KVV
What a privilege to have the opportunity to write the foreword to our monthly newsletter at the end of 2023! As we move toward Christmas and the festive season, we also move toward the end of the year and the beginning of 2024.
And what a year 2023 was! Certainly not the best of years for the economy if one listens to most commentators on the property industry.
I hear a lot of chatter among clients, friends, colleagues, in general conversation and on the radio stations, from people being “tired of this year” and most “cannot wait for this year to end”. It is to be expected as we start to hear the Christmas carols playing all over and see the Christmas decorations going up everywhere. Our hearts automatically leap with excitement, and we almost literally want to shove the current year and all its troubles behind us.
In a way I think we are conditioned to see the New Year as a fresh start, a new page from which we can start afresh. New possibilities and new opportunities await, and we can turn a blind eye on the near misses, losses and failures that may have crossed our paths in the year we leave behind. Not even casting a view in the rearview mirror, we put “pedal to the metal” and blast off into the New Year, filled with renewed energy.
Until a few months in, when we realise that the turn of the calendar did not magically transform our lives into everything we ever hoped for.
I read a beautiful letter on a grief support group this week giving comfort to those who are going through the grieving process, describing death as a form of birth. It read: “Remember, ‘death’ is a birth.. that means the part of us that feels like it is being ripped apart and dying, is actually expanding. It is becoming more than it ever was and birth is painful.”
In a way, this is also what we are going through at the end of any year or any phase of our lives. A “death” from the old and a “rebirth” into the new.
I wish I could quote the whole letter here, but the essence is that we grow from that which we experience, even the pain we go through.
In the same way one might argue that we grow through each year we go through – especially the tough years! Those years which taught us grit, determination, endurance, patience and resilience are the ones in which we grow the most. And therefore, we cannot just cross out the year 2023 as if it never happened. We cannot just turn our backs on it and shove it aside. We have to learn from it. We have to acknowledge it for the part it played in our lives. For the lessons it taught us and the resilience it built.
Only then we can be reborn into the New Year. Then we will have renewed strength – not because we left the year behind us, but because, as we depart from it, we move forward anew, reborn, reformed, stronger and wiser. Better equipped and armed for whatever the New Year may bring.
Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and a well-deserved rest this Festive Season. May you spend time reflecting on the lessons learned and may the year 2024 truly be the beginning of an exciting, truly happy and very successful new chapter.
Regards
Mariëtte van Zyl | Director
November 20, 2023
Note from Ianthè Biggs
I think that every single person that is reading this can attest to the fact that this year was a tough one. Most people I speak to remind me of a soldier returning from war, bloodied, dirty and fatigued citing high interest rates, skyrocketing costs of living and the negative effects of loadshedding as only some of the woes that have befallen them on the battlefield of life. I must admit, this year I, myself feel a little warworn. I can’t think of anyone able to attest differently.
I recently read a book concerning psychology in which the author states that people tend to feel this way because they compare themselves with the utmost outliers of society and then feel a desire to reach the same level as that person. I refer to those people that have gotten extreme things done through hard work but with a fair share of luck as well. For example people don’t consider themselves wealthy because they follow Jeff Bezos on X, they don’t consider themselves physically strong because Dwayne Johnson can lift more weight than they can, they don’t consider themselves successful because their businesses do not follow the same growth pattern as Facebook, Google or Microsoft and the list goes on. Whilst I don’t intend to set out the entire book on psychology it did get me thinking about the power of thinking.
One of my favourite stoic philosophers of all time, Marcus Aurelius once said that “the soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts”. And as with many sayings from the ancient Roman emperor I can’t shake the significance of this one. A simple shift in mindset and thoughts can change you – literally. So instead of just pondering on the idea, let’s try and put it into action.
For the last stretch of the year and with Christmas around the corner I want to propose a shift in your mindset, perhaps instead of worrying about running 10km at a pace that would leave Usain Bolt breathless, the true measure of success is being able to run farther today than you were able to yesterday. To just be a little bit better every day, a little bit stronger, a little bit healthier. Just improve on yesterday even if the improvement is marginal, be a better version of yourself every day and whilst you are doing so keep your focus on the things that spark joy in you, as a person. Perhaps at the end of the year, we might understand that the happiness of your life truly does depend on the quality of your thoughts.
Ianthè Biggs | Conveyancer
October 11, 2023
A note from KVV
Why Do People Say, “God Bless You,” After Someone Sneezes?
How often do we quickly reply with the words “Bless you” when someone sneezes, without thinking of it as a blessing, but just a polite social gesture to a sneeze?
The phrase “bless you” when someone sneezes has a fascinating history.
In different cultures and eras, variations of this custom emerged.
For instance, in some cultures, people would say “God bless you” to invoke divine protection. One belief is that it originated in Rome in the Middle Ages when the bubonic plague was raging through Europe. It is believed that Pope Gregory I (Gregory the Great) suggested saying “God bless you” after a person sneezed, in hopes that this prayer would protect them from an otherwise certain death.
The expression may have also originated from superstition. The custom of asking for God’s blessing stems from the ancient belief that a sneeze might accidentally expel the spirit from the body, unless God blesses you and prevents it. Other cultures thought that sneezing forced evil spirits out of the body, leaving others exposed to wandering spirits. A blessing was to protect both the sneezer and those around him!
Then there is the rumour that our hearts stop when we sneeze. It’s an ancient belief that sneezing is a near-death experience and that saying “bless you,” is a way of welcoming the sneezer back from the dead (you know after your heart stopped!). But, that isn’t true. Even though your heart may skip a beat before resuming its regular rhythm, electrical signals that control your heart rate aren’t affected by the physiological changes that happen when you sneeze.
In some cultures and languages, different phrases are used in response to sneezing. For example, in Spanish, it’s common to say “Salud,” which means “health,” while in some Asian cultures a simple “Gesundheit” is used, which is German for “health”. Greeks and Romans may respond with “Banish the Omen”, and in Zulu – “I am now blessed”.
Over time, as our understanding of illness and sneezing evolved, the original superstitions faded away, but the practice of saying “bless you” remained.
So, when you say “bless you” to someone who sneezes, you are continuing a tradition that has its roots in ancient beliefs about the supernatural and the need to protect one another from unseen dangers.
Regards
Janene Marais | Conveyancer
September 18, 2023
KVV | A note from our director
Reflecting on the year that is fast coming to a close, I am sure most people will be persuaded to consider how they have fared during the year. I hope talk of the year coming to a close is not, by itself, too early at this point. I have not seen any festive decorations or birds changing colour, but in my defense I can feel it in the air.
While every person has the liberty to decide on how to reflect on their journey of life, I wish to propose one additional consideration. Should you be considering your interactions with persons, situations and the world you live in, since the beginning of the year, I propose that you also consider “taking responsibility”. This may sound as an obvious virtue. However, it may have permutations.
Often when we think of taking responsibility, we are inclined to associate “taking responsibility” with our actions only. Hardly ever do we associate “taking responsibility” with our inaction. Since it may be easy not to do something, I would argue that “taking responsibility” should equally be associated with our inaction. Never has the latter point been so eloquently and succinctly captured by the phrase: “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” – inaction. While there is some controversy on whether these (the latter phrase) are the words of Edmund Burke or even if the phrase makes sense at all, I find a justifiable indictment in the phrase – to consider my inactions.
While some may perceive the above phrase as suited for a global and political context or even for people involved in dissecting national questions. This phrase does find application in our everyday life. It does not have to be about evil and good men only. It can be about daily encounters and how ordinary men respond.
While you alone may not solve the problem of world hunger, the two Rands (R2) that you volunteer when you buy from a particular chicken outlet just may solve world hunger. The clothes that you donate at your church or local NGO will put clothes on someone’s back. The time that you spend on simple acts of kindness does make an impact. All these are actions for some and inactions for many others. Mostly, those who do not act, can and have the ability to take action. Since it is easy not to do something, the choice not to act becomes an easy option. For some, it is a case of genuine lack of realization of what requires action.
I may not be able to draw an exhaustive list of things that we sometimes overlook when we can act. Be it at home, with family and friends, at the workplace or in our communities. What I would like to do is to challenge you to identify persons and situations that you have been overlooking, while you have the ability to change. In this regard you are unlimited. It can be in your immediate environment or global.
Allow me to break the ice and take the opportunity to say to all my colleagues at KVV, at all levels, that I appreciate all of you. I will also take the opportunity to extend the same declaration to friends and family, some of whom could just be waiting to hear the words. I have taken responsibility for one of my inactions i.e. not telling those that you appreciate, that you do. The list will grow with time, no doubt. I will identify and take responsibility for my inactions in a genuine attempt to contribute to the betterment of the world.
Inaction could be the source of many things that appear as mystery in our existence, when in fact they are not mystery. Becoming conscious of our inactions could be the key to unlocking many self-created mysteries of our existence. There could be a lot of people in your environment who are suffering from your inaction and not from your actions. There could be situations that are disadvantaged by your inaction and not by your actions. While we “take responsibility” for our actions, let us also “take responsibility” for our inactions.
Regards
Joseph Leotlela | Director
August 21, 2023
KVV | A note from our director
I recently read an awesome quote that got me thinking.
“Your answers reveal your knowledge, while your questions reflect your thinking”- Nitin Namdeo.
Knowledge refers to the understanding, information, and awareness that an individual possesses about facts, concepts, experiences, and the relationships between them. It is acquired through learning, observation, study, and experience, enabling one to make informed decisions, solve problems, and engage in meaningful conversations and activities.
Thinking refers to the mental process of generating ideas, forming thoughts, making judgments, and drawing conclusions based on information, experiences, and reasoning. Thinking can take various forms, such as critical thinking, creative thinking, logical reasoning, and problem-solving, and it plays a fundamental role in human decision-making.
Asking good questions is a crucial skill for personal growth and knowledge improvement. Thoughtful and well-considered questions can lead to deeper insights, expanded perspectives, and a more comprehensive understanding of the world.
In essence, asking good questions is a gateway to continuous self-improvement. My challenge is to be more intentional when answering questions asked and that my questions truly reflect my thinking that are aligned with my values!
What are your thoughts?
Diaan van Wyk | Director
July 11, 2023
A Note from our Director
Dear Client
We so often say, look it is July, or June already, time flies. Yes it does. These days I find even when I exercise, I look at every minute that passes by and realise it is gone forever. Second by second time carries on.
So I wonder if we can redeem time, do more with it so that the outcome is of eternal value? Leave a legacy?
The Word of God says there is a time for everything, a time to laugh, a time to cry, and eventually a time to die.
How can we redeem time?
We can start by not thinking tomorrow is another day and not phone your mother or friend. Thinking we can have that crucial conversation with our child later, because we do not feel the time is right. Do it now.
Live life by the second, intentionally to fulfil your purpose. What is my purpose you might ask? For starters you are a friend, husband, wife, brother, sister, or husband of someone, part of a family. Be that brother and sister, friend, mother. Decide to give time to your relationships around you. That is everybody’s purpose. It might not be all there is to life, but it goes a long way in creating your legacy in your circle of influence.
Imagine what can happen if we all decide to value our time with those closest to us. It is a good start to bring the change we so need in our lives and what our closest ones crave for.
Imagine.
Roy Kapp | Director
June 21, 2023
KVV | A Note from our Director
16 June marks the celebration of Youth Day in South Africa. A tragic day in our history, which tragedy is now commemorated by this public holiday every year. As a result, June in general is dedicated to the youth of South Africa and several programs are adopted and supported by our Government focusing on issues affecting the youth of South Africa and highlighting challenges and opportunities focused on the youth.
Thinking about Youth Day made me ponder on a few things. On the lighter side, on whether or not I still qualify as “youth”? Being on the wrong side of 40 in all probability I think I am starting to rather qualify as “middle aged”!
You are allowed a chuckle, however, whether you agree with this view or not will probably depend on your age as the reader hereof, which makes the point that on the one side of the spectrum, age and the definition of “youth” falls in the eye of the beholder. I challenge you to think about this statement. Did you not as a child think your parents of then 30 years of age to be “very old”? As a teenager, or a student, were you not embarrassed by your “old” parents of 40 or 50 years old? Did you not see your Grandparents of 60 years old to be very “elderly”? As a person my age or older, have you not suddenly joined your once “aged” parents in rolling your eyes at the “kids these days”? My parents told me that when they were young the music of Elvis Presley was seen by their parent’s generation as “music from the devil”. I smile in wondering what my great grandparent’s generation would say about the music of today.
On the other side of the spectrum, age and the definition of “youth” may be a very personal definition on how one sees oneself. Again, think on this critically. Now that you are the age that your parents or grandparents once were, do you think of yourself as old? Maybe sometimes the answer to this would be yes. In my age group we are starting to smile as we start to understand what our grandparents used to complain about in feeling the cold weather in your bones. Certainly, when the first hot flashes or signs of arthritis appear or your doctor diagnoses you with high cholesterol, the facts are undisputable that time is certainly moving on. However, I think for the most part when we think of ourselves, we do not think of ourselves as “old”. For the most part we generally do not think that our time on this earth is at all limited, or that the abilities of our bodies to do what we once were able to, is in any way fading.
And this, I think, is the true secret to the “fountain of youth”. Not your age as calculated from the years passing since the issue of your birth certificate, but rather how you see yourself and how you live your life. It is of course a blessing to get old and have good health. That is not entirely in our control. But living a healthy, balanced life, eating correctly, and getting regular exercise, having a positive “can do” mindset, that, is in our control. I once read somewhere that one should plan as if you are going to die tomorrow, but live as if you are going to live forever.
The world is certainly still awaking from the aftershock of the Covid Pandemic and all the repercussions thereof. One thing we learned from this pandemic is that live is short and that we are not necessarily guaranteed to reach an “elderly” age, whatever your definition of that may be.
So, in this month, where we celebrate Youth Month may you bless the youth in your life with love and mentorship. May you join programs which give opportunities for the youth to grow and develop and be protected. But may you also remember that in someone else’s eyes, you are still “youth”. And most of all, may you be “youth” in your own eyes and may you never allow yourself to be limited in your potential. Because if you die tomorrow, today you would have been the oldest you would ever be.
Mariëtte van Zyl | Director
May 16, 2023
KVV | May 2023 News
On Friday I read the weather forecast and saw that it was snowing in Lesotho and the surrounding mountain ranges, I told my husband that this meant that there was some cold weather heading our way (I live in Krugersdorp). My words were not even cold yet (pun intended) when the cold hit us on Saturday night. Saturday night brought rain and Mother’s Day was frosty and windy. Do what you will but there was no denying it. Winter was truly and finally here.
We as South Africans seem to be largely divided into people that love summer and loathe winter, and of course, people that love their seasons the other way around. I form part of the latter. I like winter. I always thought that the main reason why this was is because, as a redhead, I prefer the sun in winter when its intensity is just dialed down a tad. However, recently I have come to realise there is more to it than that.
There is an enchantment to winter that summer simply does not have. Outdoor braais give way to cosy indoor dinners with bobotie, curries, biryanis or whatever hearty meal your Ouma used to make during cold snaps. And then the soups, I mean who does not like a warm fresh butternut soup with added chilli flakes and a pinch too much nutmeg, steaming from the crockpot with a freshly baked ciabatta.
Winter does not just bring a change in the food we prefer though, there is something enchanting about being able to draw the curtains on a cold winter night and cuddle up with a loved one on the couch under a blanket, each with a steaming milo in hand and a tub of butter popcorn to watch some silly movie you both have watched 10 times already. Or having a sit down dinner with friends, each with his or her warm water bottle on the lap and a glass of sherry to warm the belly.
This winter I want to challenge all that are reading this newsletter to host a dinner, a proper winter dinner with spicy warm foods, wine or sherry and warm water bottles or blankets a plenty (not much of a challenge I hear you saying). But the challenge is this, I want you to specifically think of someone, that might not be experiencing the same warmth I described above regarding winter. We all know someone for which winter is lonely, cold and unpleasant and this is the person I want to challenge you to invite to your dinner party.
Seneca, one of the great stoic philosophers, once said that nothing is pleasant to possess without people to share it with. The same goes for our warm winter feeling. Go ahead South Africa, lets share some love this winter and make sure that everyone out there has something that is pleasant to possess because it is shared. Stay warm this winter.
Regards
Ianthe Biggs | Conveyancer
April 24, 2023
KVV | April 2023 News
A close family friend passed away last year after a struggle with cancer, she was only in her fifties. At her funeral, my sister asked her husband the rhetorical question: “She was such an influential person and made such a spiritual contribution to anyone that crossed her path, why someone like her so soon?
My brother-in-law answered with another question “She has done more than most people her age. Maybe her work here is done?”
What a testimony to someone`s life, what a life to have celebrated.
This got me thinking how quickly we just send a Facebook message or WhatsApp to a special person on their birthdays, like checking something off on your to do list for the day.
Did you know in the United States when someone is turning 80 they can request a birthday card from the President from the White House Greetings Office!
And did you know a newborn in China is considered age 1, calculated not in calendar years, but a count of the number of Jovian stars whose influence one is believed to have lived through. Eastern Mongolia has a different system for measuring a person’s age, which is based on the number of lunar cycles that have passed (since birth for boys; girls are measured from conception) .
Why celebrate one`s Birthday?
Birthday celebrations first started out as a form of protection.
The earliest mention of a birthday was the Egyptian tradition of celebrating the “birth” of a god. It is assumed that the ancient Greeks adopted this tradition of celebration and like many pagan cultures, thought “birth” days “welcomed evil spirits.”
Europeans were the first to make use of noisemakers on someone`s birthday with the purpose of keeping evil spirits away.
Birthday candles most likely originated from Greece. In the 18th century where moon shaped cakes with lit candles were offered to lunar goddess, Artemis, to recreate the glow of the moon and her beauty. The smoke of blowing out candles with a wish was a way to lift prayers and wishes to the tops of Mount Olympus home of the Greek gods.
German bakers invented the birthday cake as we know it today. The first of these cakes were sweetened bread dough topped with sugar. And we also have them to thank for “kinderfeste” celebrating a child’s birthday, that is the closest to today`s style of birthdays. Kids were given a cake with one candle for each year they had been alive, plus one for the hope of living one more year.
No matter what the origin, remember to appreciate one`s birthday.
Reflect, celebrate, eat cake, blow out candles and make a lot of noise!!!
KVV Inc Attorneys | Janene Visser