TWELVE THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW . . . .

2

Ten of the world's top business leaders advise President Mbeki and recently encouraged him to adopt even greater confidence in the South African economy.

3

The Cape produces 22% of all South African graduates, from its three major universities and two technical colleges. The province has one of South Africa's highest literacy rates and a highly skilled workforce. English is spoken everywhere - to a higher degree than anywhere else in South Africa.
The Western Cape has South Africa's lowest incidence of HIV-Aids - by a significant margin.

4

Tourist, business or transit purpose visas are not necessary for UK and Irish citizens. Work permit applications, by skilled workers and new business owners, receive government encouragement.

5

Whilst razor wire is a noticeable feature of many urban walls, the greatest crime component nowadays is actually petty theft, and non-violent. Australia has a higher burglary rate, Spain a higher robbery rate, America imprisons more people and Japan has a higher violent crime rate. London's Hackney hospital treats more results of violent assault than does Soweto township's.

6

South Africa is rich in natural resources and is the world's leading producer of gold, but tourism brings in more money than does gold. Cape Town is one of the world's favourite destinations and the province alone has five hotels in the world top 100, including fifth and thirteenth best.

7

According to The Economist, South Africa is the world's fastest growing residential and commercial property market (30% p.a) and the best performing over the last seven years (195%). South Africa's real estate stockmarket sector also experienced growth, one of only four other countries to do so.
At the same time, residential property remains affordable (comparison with incomes) in national historic terms, as well as representing both low-cost and high-quality from a European perspective.

8

The South African legal and property purchase system is efficient, safe and well established. There are no restrictions on investments by foreigners, including in property, or on the inflow of foreign capital.

9

It is now possible to create a UK personal pension fund that invests in Cape properties - in off-plan projects, in development land or in 'bricks and mortar'.

10

The Western Cape is about the same size as England. Cape Town - South Africa's 'mother city' - is as far from the Equator as is Gibraltar, and as far from Pretoria as London is from Rome. The Cape is on 'European' time and has a mediterranean climate of hot summers, warm winters, and moderate rainfall.

11

The Western Cape includes an internationally acclaimed, sophisticated city, beautiful unspoilt coastal regions of white sand beaches, leafy green inland vineyards and farmlands, and majestic mountain ranges. Cape vineyards were established by French settlers 350 years ago.
Cape wild-life, bird-life and plant-life is exceptional, by world standards.

12

The Cape has a rich variety of sporting and leisure opportunities, including golf, beach life, horse riding, adventure sports, and watersports. Whale-watching is an annual event. South Africa will host football's World Cup in 2010.