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Articles by Tony Clarke
South African property market update: what’s shaping 2025?
20 March 2025 As South Africa moves into the second quarter of 2025, the property market continues to balance stability, opportunity, and new challenges. Buyers, sellers, and investors are navigating interest rate decisions, adjustments in transfer duties, the proposed VAT increase, and shifting trends in buyer behaviour, rental demand, and property pricing.
PPRA, Rawson gift real estate franchises Original
The Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and Rawson Property Group have initiated their latest endeavour - Transformation X, wherein they gifted real estate franchises to nine disadvantaged individuals. The Rawson Property Group waivered the entrance fee entirely. The packages include a range of grants, subsidies, and substantial discounts from suppliers. Moreover, startup funds and working capital have been obtained and distributed by the PPRA and the Rawson brand.
UNEXPECTED TWIST at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
18 – 22 April It is ten years since Michael Rosen – much-loved author, poet, presenter, performer, columnist, and former Children’s Laureate – published “Unexpected Twist”, his modern take on Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist”. It was, he says, a “halfway house” attempt to “lift Dickens off the page” for a younger audience which may sometimes struggle to access the author’s stories in their original form.
BLOOD BROTHERS at Cheltenham Everyman Theatre
11 -15 April “Blood Brothers” began life in 1981 as a short play written for a small touring company, specialising in performances for schools. It debuted as a full musical in January 1983 and over the last forty years, has become one of the most popular and successful musicals of modern times, repeatedly wowing audiences throughout the UK, and across the world. So, four decades after its première at Liverpool’s Playhouse Theatre, does this modern masterpiece still have the power to deliver…?
LITTLE WOMEN at Swindon Arts Centre
5 April When it comes to reviewing a show, the litmus test for this particular reviewer is the extent to which I find myself immersed in a performance; to what degree any sense of time and space is lost during the shared experience as the drama unfolds on the stage before me. To that end, Jenny Wren Productions’ rendering of “Little Women” is nothing short of a triumph.
WODEHOUSE IN WONDERLAND at Cheltenham Everyman
This reviewer’s knowledge of the work of PG Wodehouse is limited to vague and distant memories of the successful 1990s TV adaptations of “Jeeves and Wooster”, starring Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, and an awareness of Wodehouse’s apparently deserved place in the comic writing Hall of Fame…..without ever having read any of his novels. As a member of the uninitiated, I therefore arrived at the Everyman Theatre with an open and curious mind, and in expectation of a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION at Cheltenham Everyman Theatre
13 – 18 February Widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time – in fact, ranking site ‘Internet Movie Database’ (IDMb) rates it at No.1 – 1994’s “The Shawshank Redemption”, despite an initially lukewarm reception, has long since cemented its position in the pantheon of truly great films, as well as its place in the hearts of millions of film-lovers across the world. So any decision to bring Stephen King’s novella, and of course the celebrated film, to the stage, is a brave one.
Yoko Ono names her 57 favourite books of all time
Yoko Ono is one of the most notable figures in music. The wife of John Lennon, she has long and mistakenly been derided as the force that caused The Beatles to split up. Of course, she is so much more than this life-altering whisper. Yoko Ono is an accomplished musician, artist, and philanthropist in her own right. Interestingly, she’d already established herself as a renowned visual artist years before she’d met The Beatles frontman, a fact that puts many of her critics to shame.
High hopes for this year as confidence in SA property rebounds
By 8h ago By Tony Clarke After a notable dip mid-year, Absa’s Homeowner Sentiment Index (HSI) for the third quarter (3Q) 2021 reported a remarkable recovery in confidence levels in property. This matches Rawson Property Group’s experience of market activity, and suggests that 2022 could be a good year. I always say, no matter what’s happening in the world, people need a roof over their heads. It was very interesting to see that opinion directly echoed by respondents to Absa’s survey.
Repo rate hike: We need to prepare for future interest rate increases
Many have been holding their breath in anticipation of a minor interest rate upswing after the extended period of record-breaking lows and it has happened! The South African Reserve Bank has elected to increase the repo rate by 25 basis points. This takes the repo rate to 3.75% and the prime lending rate to 7.25%. Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson Property Group Realistically, we need to prepare for future interest rate increases.
Can real estate contribute towards rebuilding South Africa's crippled economy?
Despite President Ramaphosa's optimistic analogies of fynbos re-emerging after fire, 2021's State of the Nation Address made it clear that South Africa has a long, and largely undefined, road to recovery ahead. While defeating the coronavirus pandemic and state corruption featured highly, economic recovery took centre stage. The good news is this is one area in which help may be at hand from an often overlooked economic contributor: property.
#Sona20: 5 positives for property
In the lead-up to Sona 2020, property experts were united in their hopes for the president's address: clear leadership, a pragmatic outlook, and actionable plans to boost investor confidence. The speech held at least five positive elements for the property market. 1. Education and training The emphasis placed on young people, education and training was particularly important.
Is hygge the key to home happiness?
Your Name: Your Email: Send Email To: Keep this field blank Features Tranquility and security could help you find your inner zen. The Danish concept of hygge (pronounced “hue-geh”) has been taking the world by storm of late. Founded on the principle of recognising – and encouraging – moments of extraordinary contentment, cosiness, or social fulfilment, it has been billed by many as the next ‘big thing’ in design and décor trends.
Gen-Z is about to hit the property market - are we prepared?
Every generation has its own idiosyncrasies when it comes to property, and knowing what these are can be an ace in the sleeve for existing owners and investors. The habits of Generation Y - otherwise known as millennials - are fairly well known by now. Generation Z, on the other hand, has flown largely beneath the radar. Gen-Z is one of the biggest generations to date and is made up of people born between the mid-1990s to mid-2000s.
Tips for smarter spending this holiday season
The festive season has officially arrived with all its glittering decorations and Christmas tunes. For many around the country, it means some serious spending is just around the corner. Those of us lucky enough to get end-of-year bonuses may have already earmarked them for gift-giving and seasonal festivities, but there could be an even more rewarding way to put our hard-earned money to work.
4 ways arms-length property valuations are shooting sellers in the foot
Between online service providers, low-cost agencies and traditional real estate agents, sellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to getting a property valuation before they sell. For many, the relatively un-intrusive nature of a purely data-driven valuation may be an enticing option. However, arms-length appraisals often backfire when it comes to a sale. Just last month we had an agent value a property in Pretoria where the client had already paid for an online valuation.
Property experts voice concerns as interest rates climb
Few property experts were surprised by today’s announcement that interest rates will be increasing for the second time in a row. With prime hitting 7.5%, however, some are raising concerns over the wisdom of any further increases this year. “Our economy is already under severe pressure,” says Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson Property Group.
Property’s resilience key in weathering uncertainty
As South Africa enters yet another State of Disaster, property owners around the country may be wondering how this might affect their investments. And can the market weather another year of contraction? According to Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson Property Group, the answer is a resoundingly confident yes. “Property is the very definition of an essential good,” he says. “No matter what’s happening in the world, people will always need shelter.
Scant relief for real estate as budget speech and SONA fail to impress
22 February 2024 Between SONA and the Budget Speech, general sentiment among South Africa’s real estate agents appears largely unimpressed, with a side-helping of disappointment. “We were expecting a conservative approach,” says Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson Property Group. “It’s an election year, so the ruling party is naturally wary of rocking boats.
Is there light at the end of the tunnel for SA’s property market?
21 September 2023 Is there light at the end of the tunnel for SA’s property market? Today’s Monetary Policy Committee announcement of zero change to the current interest rate has property owners around the country breathing a collective sigh of relief. General consensus from economists is that this announcement signals the end of the current rates hike cycle, which saw the prime lending rate climb a full 5% (from 7% to 12%) in the space of just two years.
Interest rate hikes - 3 myths causing panic
With interest rates climbing yet another 25 basis points today, it is clear that the SARB is intent on further curbing inflation. “Understandably, people are feeling the ever-increasing pinch of this recent series of hikes, but in the long run not doing so will be more harmful than raising interest rates.” says Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson Property Group. “A potential hold on the rate could follow in May and July, with the latter part of the year seeing another 50 basis point increase in total.
Have interest rates finally peaked? What next for property?
Today, the SARB announced yet another 50-basis-point increase to the interest rate, taking the repo rate to 7.75% and the prime lending rate to 11.25%. According to the experts, however, there is at least some good news to soften the blow of this latest rates hike announcement. “I don’t think there was any doubt that the interest rate would go up again this month,” says Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson Property Group.
The Rawson Property Group is growing - here’s what franchisees see in the brand
03 October 2023 South Africa’s property industry has been hard hit by the country’s economic instability and skyrocketing interest rates. As a result, many real estate brands have been forced to tighten their belts in the face of subdued market activity. According to the Rawson Property Group, however, unusual times breed unusual opportunities – opportunities this particular brand has been welcoming with open arms.
Good things in store for property in 2024
2023 was a challenging year on many fronts, with fallout from unusually high levels of global political and economic turmoil affecting markets around the world. In South Africa, this manifested as steep – and difficult to control – inflation, resulting in a rapid series of interest rate increases between November 2021 and May 2023.
Rawson Property Group partners with PPRA to drive real, sustainable transformation in the real estate industry
Thursday, 14 March marked a significant milestone for transformation in the real estate industry, as nine historically disadvantaged individuals were awarded and congratulated as new Rawson Franchise owners. This was the official launch of the PPRA and the Rawson Property Group’s latest initiative, inspired by a shared commitment to furthering real, sustainable transformation in the real estate industry.
Donald Trump Acknowledges Russia Role in US Election Hacking
Washington: President-elect Donald Trump accepts the US intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia engaged in cyber attacks during the US presidential election and may take action in response, his incoming chief of staff said on Sunday. Reince Priebus said Trump believed Russia was behind the intrusions into the Democratic Party organisations, although Priebus did not clarify whether the president-elect agreed that the hacks were directed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Boost for road tennis, but too many contests
THE INTEREST AND PASSION being displayed in road tennis is absolutely wonderful. It is a sport which deserves to be taken up islandwide since it does not call for major physical infrastructure and can be played by people of all ages. It is a pity that we have taken so long to truly appreciate something truly Bajan.
Create one million climate jobs
As the prime minister and the premiers gather for their first ministers conference in Vancouver, the big question will be whether they are up to the task of putting together a climate action plan for substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions while still growing the economy. It is now widely considered indisputable that to avert catastrophic climate change, global temperatures’ rise this century must be kept to less than 2 C above pre-industrial levels.
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