A blog dedicated to providing information on how South Africans can save money when buying a house has been launched by the author of the book: How to buy a house for half the price.

The blog also carries stories related to housing issues and has so far published stories like:

·                               It’s cheaper to buy an existing house than to build one;

·                                South Africans are saving less than R3 rand for every R100 they earn; and

·                                Johannesburg has the cheapest houses in South Africa.

How to buy a house for half the price has received rave reviews from people like Phindile Kunene of the Shop Steward, the COSATU magazine.

Here are some of the comments:

Kunene:  "How to buy a house for half the price is a must read for all South Africans, especially those who fall outside the state low cost housing subsidy net. It is an important and timely book given the demand for housing amongst young black South Africans who either resort to buying homes through finance capital or to renting town house complexes in the country's suburbs," Kunene said.

"It is particularly relevant when considering how banks muzzle and rob thousands of South Africans of their right to decent housing by evicting defaulters and repossessing hundreds of homes yearly.

"This book is an empowering tool for those currently facing the might of finance capital. It can teach you how to play the game to your benefit; how to beat the banks at their own game and how to maximise the gains out of a situation that is not designed to favour you. This alone, makes the book a good read."

Justice Nicholas Ndou, a former Senior Legal Advisor to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and former Secretary of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature, had this to say:

"This concise and simple yet comprehensive guide to owning a house or shelter is a fundamental tool in the search for and the acquisition of an affordable decent home. It is trite that, although the concept of privately owning a house is today regarded as fundamental, its universal acceptance is of recent origin. It was not until the 15th century that there was movement from community ownership to private or individual ownership of property like houses."

"Over the years the demand for houses has increased as the population increased. The number of people who could afford houses diminished. Speculative and other negative forces entered the fray. This resulted in a need for interventions. Charles Rukuni took up the challenge in this guide."

"As a seasoned journalist, his writing on affordable housing brings a combination of talents of journalism, social theory and practical-mindedness. He vigorously informs potential home buyers, seekers and other stakeholders that housing is recognised in international law as a fundamental economic and social right."

"He avoids substituting illusion for reality. I am convinced that this work will be of considerable assistance to housing practitioners, students, financers of housing projects and government officials whose duty it is to deliver affordable and decent housing."

Judith Todd: political activist and author of Through the Darkness - a Life in Zimbabwe:
"This brilliant little book should help vastly to improve your life. Its value has been demonstrated by the author himself who, starting from 1983 with very little, now owns four houses. It is a joy to read as the fundamental information and financial advice provided is spiced with wit and compassion. Rukuni really wants us all to have a secure home, the essential foundation from which to seek the abundance life should promise."

This is what some of the readers who bought the book had to say:

"Dear Charles, I collected my book on the 26th January. I came home that day and started reading, I couldn't put the book down. So I finished reading that same night. I really enjoyed the book, and received valuable information. I just wish my husband and I had bought our house much sooner than we did." - Cynthia Jasmith-Ikaneng - Johannesburg

"Hi Charles, I got the book and thank you very much. I just finished reading it now (every chance I got at work I read), I'm in my early 30s and intend to get married very soon so buying a house is one of the things that are on my mind. I must say I like the way you compiled it as it makes it very easy to understand and there were lots of things I was not aware of but now I know (thanks to you).

“You should see the highlighter markings I made. I will most definitely tell everyone I know about it and that they should get a copy, it's a great guideline and I am going to apply it and I can't wait for my girlfriend to read it when I get home." - Lungisa Gqirana - Kimberley.

The book is now available as an ebook from Amazon here, which means you can download it in less than a minute once you have paid.

You can also order your paperback copy here.

For companies, I believe this is an ideal present for your workers. I have a few printed copies of the first edition which I am selling in bulk in batches of 50 and above. I only have 2 000 copies. I am also prepared to brand the book for you - that is, publish it in your colours.

To contact the author, email me on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.