Khotsoville promises to deliver a host of benefits for the people of Fochville and surrounding areas as it will ultimately provide affordable estate living in more than 2,000 high-quality apartments and houses, with the option to rent or buy.
It is not hard to see why this is the case, when you hear what drives Ian Coetzee: “If there is no growth, there is no sustainability. That applies to everything.”
Coetzee is founder and CEO of the development company Jidmac Property Group. The Khotsoville development comprises five full title stand estates, with ultimately 1,000 houses planned, and four sectional-title estates, which will also contain 1,000 units on completion; phase 1 of this part of the development depicted in the artist’s impression. One of the main reasons the Jidmac team is so focused on keeping the Khotsoville units looking good is that the company plays an unusual role in the industry – it encompasses the whole process from investment, design and construction, to security, rental and maintenance.
The growth that will result from this well-appointed complex is clear from the detail in the design features the minute you enter its access-controlled entrance gates because Coetzee has ensured that no corners are cut in the creation of beautiful apartments that require minimal maintenance – from their face brick exteriors and tiled roofs, to their granite tops and quality finishes. This is obviously good news for the families who make their home in Khotsoville but should also please homeowners in the area.
Many developments boast the shiniest bells and whistles when they open their doors, but a neglected estate can soon start to look a little shabby, which is bad news for local homeowners. Jidmac’s forethought means each unit is built to last and the online maintenance platform means anything that needs to be fixed will be done so timeously. Jidmac’s strong track record of well-built and well-maintained developments means property values are likely to increase in the long term as the benefits of the design become more apparent. The Khotsoville development offers a great entry for young people just starting out and not ready to commit to buying their own homes and has plenty to offer established couples and families who are looking for more space in a secure environment.
The estate can also offer the perfect home for elderly people looking to live a quieter, simpler life in a well-maintained development. As Coetzee says, the estate sends the following message: “There is a future for me here; it is somewhere to have a stake in the ground. This is exactly how people can own their tomorrow today.” A young couple could start by renting a small apartment, maybe move to a larger one as their family grows and eventually buy a free-standing house – all in the same development, with its hi-tech security system, close proximity to local schools and shopping areas, and the open spaces and child-friendly parks within the development.
The affordable estate living offered in Khotsoville is likely to attract those already living in the area but, with the Johannesburg CBD only 65km away from Fochville, employed people wanting to enjoy the many benefits of small-town life, not least lower traffic volumes, are also likely to show an interest. The trees, generous green spaces and curb stone pavements within the estate will add to the small-town feel of Khotsoville. A mark to market study has already confirmed that people would be willing to commute to and from Johannesburg as many already do between Fochville and Carletonville.
There will be about 2,000 units available once the estate is completed, which is expected in the next five to seven years. Taking an average of about four people per unit, that would be about 8,000 economically active people coming into Fochville, so local businesses also have reason to smile. A filling station and drive through as well as an open-air shopping mall is planned as part of the Khotsoville precinct, catering to the immediate needs of the development’s residents and broader community.
But Fochville’s retailers, banks, car dealerships, medical practitioners and many others will benefit directly as families move into the estate. “The increase in people brings buying power,” confirms Coetzee. Infrastructure is always a concern when developers start building. Again, Jidmac, ever the development pioneer, has taken a proactive stance. The company worked for three years with the local municipal council to ensure the development could become a reality. Jidmac’s investment into the necessary 4.5km extension of water, 1.5km electricity, and 1km sewage and storm water drainage lines means the needs of the estate are provided for and also allows for further development of the area – another example of Coetzee’s focus on growth and sustainability.
The concern about sustainability extends to care of the planet, with a recycling programme that will be integrated into Khotsoville to reduce the environmental footprint of the development and also to create further work within the estate. Khotsoville promises to enhance the Fochville community in many ways and Jidmac has not held back in ensuring that it provides the estates’ residents, local homeowners and businesses and even those from further afield the growth that will ensure the long-term sustainability of the region.
