And the eagle takes flight

Despite all the criticism it has faced over the years, Phakalane Estates is finally taking shape and soon it will become the ideal suburb and world-class residential enclave.

Since our last interview with Lesang Magang, Director of Phakalane Estates, Phakalane has recently featured in SABC 2's Mamepe putting Botswana on the regional destination map as a viable option for a place to work and live in. According to Magang what people today want is to be able to leave their home and still feel safe that they will not be robbed. What they are buying is the safety of knowing that they don't have to lock themselves in their own homes for fear of crime that has dominated their lives. "They are buying the lifestyle and the whole shebang," he said. Crime incidences have dropped to zero since the police took up a position after strenuous persuasion from the residents of Phakalane and the directors of Phakalane Estates. "Crime watch has become a community effort as well as a service and since then there hasn't been a single case to report," he claimed. "Along with the effort and input of the residents, the Botswana Police have endorsed Phakalane as a fully-fledged reality and have documented their intention to occupy a prefabricated station in the suburb," he stated.

All plots will be fully serviced with water, underground electricity, telecommunication, ornate street lighting, and sewage reticulation. Currently underway is the extension of the Western By-Pass with a dual carriageway to Mochudi past Phakalane. "All roads will be paved to the highest standards," said Magang. Among other developments are the building of shops and restaurants in the CBD and 11hectares for a Game Sanctuary on the residents' doorstep for walks and picnics.

More game is to be brought into Eco Park. The Eland, Zebra, Ostrich, Gemsbok, Wildebeest, and Giraffe will join the Kudu and Impala. A few dams in the Golf Estate have filled up and the water is cleaner and fresher than river water. The rental market is cyclical and currently fairly buoyant.

Thus the rentals being achieved or paid are relatively high. This shows a high demand for property and in terms of the rental market high costs being paid with no return. Compared with the purchase of a plot in an exclusive estate, a lease offers no returns on capital investment. The steady increase in appreciation of Phakalane coupled with the forecast increase in the value of the Golf Estate plots once the development is complete would favour a move towards a secure investment in a very appealing estate which has tremendous facilities on offer. Residents on the Golf Estate will pay levies for 24-hour security and maintenance of road verges. A management company will be employed to run the Golf Estate. "As the vision is to make Phakalane a commercial and industrial Estate it will create job opportunities for thousands of Batswana," Magang revealed.

13 Oct 2009

Mmegi