Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa Dec/Jan 2016/17 | Page 12

MASTER INVESTOR
In 2016, Patrice Motsepe’s African Rainbow
Capital bought a 20% stake in the estate marking
a signif icant milestone in the estate’s history. Val
de Vie also recently acquired Pearl Valley Golf
Estate, and thus the super estate now comprises
approximately 1 000 hectares and 2 500 housing
opportunities, of which 70% have already been
sold. It additionally includes two hotels and a
retirement village.
In August 2016, New World Wealth announced
Val de Vie as South Africa’s top residential
lifestyle estate. New World Wealth – a global
wealth intelligence and market research company
– rates estates on the quality and design of houses,
facilities on the estate, activities, security, space,
views and resale and growth potential. Ryk says
the Val de Vie team is honoured to be recognised
as the leading residential estate in South Africa.
Ryk ’s business philosophy and objective
with Val de Vie is to partner with like-minded
companies and investors; develop conservatively
and try to assemble the strongest possible team.
The Western Cape is becoming increasingly
attractive to upcountry buyers. As part of a recent
marketing campaign that involved the 60 buyers
of the newly developed Polo Village suites, Val
de Vie gave away a Ferrari worth R 4 million in
a lucky draw.
Ryk has had good and bad experiences in
investing and believes in keeping his approach
hands-on. He shares, “I’ve learned the hard
way that it is very unlikely to have a successful

investment if you are not actively involved in
making it a success.”
Ryk believes that “estates are here to stay and
already account for a major share of property
values in South Africa. Properties in estates
generally outperform non-estate properties. I
think estates will try to focus more on branding
and doing partnerships with strong lifestyle
brands or personalities going forward.”
While Ryk has seen success in many areas of
his life – including having developed his own
wine under the Val de Vie label, it is safely said
that Ryk ’s passion is now deeply rooted in the
property industry. “Investing in my business, Val
de Vie, has produced the most signif icant – and
rewarding – returns for me,” he concludes.

RYK’S PROPERTY
INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES
1. Do your research and run the numbers (just because someone
else has invested in the same scheme, it doesn’t mean it has
passed the numbers)
2. Prepare for the bad times – be conservative
3. Think long term – property investment is not a quick game
and you will only see a return on investment a few years
down the line
4. Have some cash ready to buy distressed properties in a down
market
5. Location! – ensure you do research on the neighbourhood you
are looking at investing in

Dont’t miss interview with RYK NEETHLING on REIMTV
Visit REIM TV for more in depth real estate investment insights
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DEC/JAN 2017 SA Real Estate Investor

www.reimag.co.za