Johannesburg, 23 September 2021 – There is a new investment scheme rolling across the South African property market and brings with it a whole host of opportunities for honest investors and potential homeowners, as well as unscrupulous scam artists. As with any investment, it calls for a thorough investigation before capital layout. This scheme is colloquially known as the “Property Stokvel”; it is very similar to the traditional stokvel we know so well, which involves a sum of money contributed by different people and invested into one account.

With the traditional stokvel, each person in the group will get a turn to receive a standardized payout dependent on the collective amount. These stokvels are easy to understand; user-friendly and are primarily based on a system of trust and familiarity. Unlike traditional stokvels, property stokvels are started by a founder who then invites members of the public to join. These members start contributing and pay administration costs through joining fees. This money is used to purchase properties collective for the group. 

With rising costs of purchasing a property, participation in a property stokvel promises to reduce the barriers of entry by assisting buyers in saving and purchasing a property. “The idea is that property stokvels will make property ownership more accessible by allowing people to pool money and invest in property which they would not normally be able to afford on their own,” explains Rademeyer, “in theory, the more members a stokvel has, the more available money there is to invest. 

This sounds great, but if you’re looking to invest in a property stokvel, you must make sure that everything is above board. In Property Stokvels that are working well, the returns for investors are incalculable. Usually, these schemes set out to achieve one of two goals: To purchase and rent out property where all members share in the monthly incomeTo purchase a home for every stokvel member based on the order in which they joined 

“One of the concerns around property stokvels is that the founder usually administers the stokvel at their sole discretion with carte blanche to run and manage the scheme as they want,” adds Rademeyer, to ensure transparency, members must be given clear direction on what recourse they have if they’re dissatisfied with the administration of the scheme. They also need to know exactly how the ownership of the purchased property will work, whose names will appear on the title deed and how the decisions are made when it comes to allocating property. 

“There are also tax implications where multiple transfers of property are involved, so it is imperative that these are unpacked in the constitution of a property stokvel, and that members understand what could happen to them if the tax laws are breached,” says Rademeyer. “

Members need to consider the legal ramifications where stokvels, no matter what they invest in, are not juristic entities. They cannot acquire or purchase anything, they are not companies with shareholders, trusts with beneficiaries, or partnerships, therefore the constitution of the property stokvel needs to clearly set out its legal duties, as well as those of the founder and the members. 

“On the plus side, a property stokvel that works well translates into cash purchases for properties and no waiting for banks to approve bonds, the money is right there waiting for transfer, and the power of ownership is transferred to the members,” says Rademeyer In the end, it doesn’t matter if a property stokvel is run by your best friend or a stranger – In order to benefit, due diligence is a must, whenever it comes to your money.

If you’re invited to join a property stokvel, Rademeyer recommends doing the following, long before you make any financial commitments:

• Ensure it has a clear and robust constitution.
• Know the leadership and membership structure.
• Ensure you know everything about where your money will be invested, and how it will be used. 

According to Rademeyer, traditional stokvels are a much better way to save money for those looking to enter the property market. However, as with any financial investment, care must still be taken, especially as there has been rise in the number of scams involving stokvels. 

“Property stokvels that come with the promise of wealth creation can be very appealing. But you need to be careful when joining a stokvel that claims to be investing in property,” concludes Rademeyer adding that potential investors should be absolutely clear on what they are investing in and that the returns are what was promised to them.  

Kgomotso Le Roux & Neno to Release Albums in Two Day Exclusive Song Premiere 

South Africa will experience original indigenous African music compositions by two women from two generations, influenced by jazz, soul and Tshivenda rhythms from Kgomotso le Roux and her mentor Rosy Morero Bulane aka Neno, whose sound is a fusion of mbaqanga, gospel and Sesotho traditional music. In addition to live performances, audiences will also see the première of the Khwela Factory clothing range. 

Kgomotso, whose music draws heavily from Tshivenda traditional rhythms, writes in isiZulu, Sesotho, French, English and Shona. Her debut album ‘UNOYIWAWA”, is titled after a mythical African super hero, the “Strong one who does not fall, protects communities from natural disasters and is the daughter of Nomkhubulwane, the African goddess of rain, nature and fertility. ” Nomkhubulwane is strongly related to the origins of human kind from an African mythological perspective. The record comes after 14 years of Kgomotso’s work in various capacities in the music industry having been writing since the age of 9, started her sessions as a backing vocalist in 2003 and has gone on to work with an array of artists such as Mpumi Dlamini, RJ Benjamin, Ifani, Letoya Makhene, Blondie Makhene, Tlale Makhene, Yonela Mnana, Theo Nhlengethwa and Tresor.Her love for composition has seen her produce original music for children TV programs ‘Takalani Sesame’, ‘LEGO’ and recently featured as a performer at Dr. Sello Gallane’s Pula Festival at the State Theatre in Pretoria, September 2017. 

NENO, who is 78 years, will also launch her album ‘Ha Mojela’ with the support of the Khwela Factory and Kgomotso, thus beginning the journey of having her compositions performed. Dressed by clothing from the Khwela Factory range, the musical duo will be backed by an amazing band that features Nhlanhla Neville Radebe (double bass), Yonela Mnana (keys), Mabeleng Moholo (percussions), Kgomotso (mbira/vocals), Vumile Mchunu and Musa Nkosi (vocals). Kgomotso and Neno’s relationship dates back to Le Roux’s time as an academic researcher at WITS University where she got exposed to Neno’s music during her ethnomusicology studies in 2006. Neno who had an erratic recording and performing schedule had enjoyed a successful career in the 70s having signed to Gallo Records and later left the music industry to pursue a career in acting. “If it wasn’t for Neno and Mme Seipati Bulane Hopa, I would have never given our music a chance and I am looking forward to the launch of our albums” says ecstatic Kgomotso Le Roux.  Kgomotso’s journey till this point has been hard as a young black woman artist and entrepreneur. 

Tickets to the launch cost R100 and R20 for kids under 16.

Both albums ‘‘Unoyiwawa” and “Ha Mojela” will be available for sale at the launch for R150 each and performances will start at 15:00 to end at 18:00 on both days. Networking opportunities will be available before the start of both shows. 

The launches will take place at The Motlalepula Chabaku Foundation (Est. 1912) in Soweto on 02 December 2017 and at Glory in Melville, Johannesburg on 03 December 2017. For media queries, interview requests and access to high-resolution pictures and music contact JT Comms on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 011 788 7632. Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of Khwela Factory 

Notes to Editor 

Khwela FactoryThe Khwela Factory is a clothing and textile manufacturing company specializing in project management, manufacturing of uniforms and custom-made clothing.  

Kgomotso le RouxKgomotso has 10 years experience in the South African business of the arts and culture landscape. Her entrance into the promotion of the arts goes back to when she was a brand promoter for Meta4 Marketing and Advertising. After graduating from Witwatersrand University with an Ethnomusicology Bmus degree, her research in Venda inspired her to embrace an understanding of African arts from an interdependent point of view. Her honours degree covered courses including Arts Marketing and Business Studies, Professional Music Studies, Digital Music Technology (studio sound engineering) and Composition. When she was not working or studying, she sang and wrote songs for Mpumi Dhlamini (Sony BMG with her song titled "Bana" topping the charts for 3 weeks), Sibongile Khumalo, Themba Mkhize, Lawrence Matshiza and Vusi Khumalo.  Her passion for the promotion of South African arts surpasses that of performing and Kgomotso really believes that her purpose is to be the best agent and creator of work for South African arts consultants and performing artists. 

Neno – Rosy Morero BulaneIn a spirited tune, Rosy Morero Bulane- better known as Neno - blows musical wisdom onto her instruments and compositions inciting an emotive response from audiences local and abroad. She is a South African national treasure and one of a few remaining artists of her generation keeping the torch burning for traditional South African music.

The Lindfield Victorian House museum (a Provincial Heritage Site) recently received its Joburg Heritage Plaque from the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation. The museum shares this honour with several other sites such as the Gandhi Family House, Madiba's first home in Johannesburg, the Union Castle Buildings, and so on.

Called Grey Roofs, the original small cottage was designed by Herbert Baker. Baker ruled the architectural scene in South Africa between 1892 and 1912.  The house was originally built (circa 1910) for Dr. St John Stanwell and his wife Alice.  In 1924, A.J. Marshall (Sir Herbert Baker's Clerk of Works), made changes to the house and in 1933, Nellie Edwards  (Johannesburg's first female architect and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts), added additional rooms.

Today Lindfield Victorian House Museum tells a tale of Johannesburg during an era that shaped the urban city of today. It shows the Victorian day-to-day life, the culture, intellectual achievements and social norms of the day.  The spirit of this elegant era still breathes in the Lindfield Victorian House Museum and visitors not only learn its cultural history, but also experience the ambience of a bygone world.

Former Mayor of Johannesburg, Parks Tau,  wrote in 2013 "For years now Johannesburg has been acknowledging special buildings and sites, historic struggles, remarkable personalities and other pieces of history by means of blue heritage plaques."  The Lindfield Victorian House Museum displays its  plaque with pride and in reverence to the Victorians.

Katharine Love

Lindfield Victorian House Museum

72 Richmond Avenue (Entrance Greenlands Road)
Auckland Park
Johannesburg
2092.

Phone Number: +27 11 726 2932
Web: lindfield.wix.com/museum/
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