21 ha Smallholding in Roodekrans

This beautiful 21 hectare property has stunning views to the North. It is close to the end of Gemstone Road, 6.5 kilometres off the R511 tar road.

The land is undeveloped but has access from 2 sides. There is a small stone workers cottage on the property, needing complete renovation, but solidly built. The cottage has a fence surrounding it. It is plumbed and has a septic tank.

There are 3 boreholes, all yielding good water. None has a pump at present. There is also a small stream running through the property, with 3 dams/weirs, which have been broken through but which could be easily restored. There are concrete fenceposts spread throughout the property. And finally, there are beautifully cut firebreaks throughout the property, giving a feeling of internal roads.

This is the ideal place for a getaway from Johannesburg or Pretoria. Imagine sitting on your stoep, watching having your sundowner, and enjoying the views. The property is ideal for building a secluded home in the peace and quiet of a well-managed nature reserve.

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The Crocodile River Reserve was created in late 2019 and, although this property is zoned as a farm, commercial farming is not allowed. The Reserve is really an Eco or Lifestyle estate, where owners may develop only a small portion, leaving the rest so that the wild game can roam freely.

The Reserve is well managed and charged with protecting the pristine grasslands and environment. Game roams the reserve freely and access to the entire area is restricted. In the longer term the entire reserve will be fenced and protected, making this the ideal place to get that peace and quiet without threat of development or intruders.

This farm is in the Crocodile River Reserve, which has many advantages:

1. Properties in the Reserve are largely protected from land claims

2. There is a management authority (MA) which looks after the reserve, attending to all legal matters (the reserve was gazetted in November 2019 and is a reality). The MA protects the ecosystem in the reserve, ensures that rules are observed and protects the area from land invasions (which is enshrined in the constitution). The MA also represents the interests of the owners/members in all matters.

3. The reserve has the highest biodiversity rating given, which makes it very special. It is primarily pristine grasslands.

4. There are significant tax benefits - the Income Tax Act, section 37 C and D allow owners to offset the value of the land over 25 years. There are no rates on the land, only the improvements (buildings) and maintenance of the land in order to preserve the reserve can be claimed against income (via a maintenance claim form which is submitted to the MA).

5. Members of the reserve are bound by the constitution. The intention is to protect the ecosystem which means no commercial farming is permitted. Owners are encouraged to allow free movement of game (eland, blesbok, warthog, kudu, impala, duiker, waterbuck, wildebeest, etc), so fencing of the full plot is discouraged. Fencing around the buildings is, of course, permitted, and this could include quite a large area.

6. It is important to note that here is a usage restriction of 5%, which means that only 5% of the land may be disturbed, the remainder must be left untouched. This means that most dwellings are entirely private, no neighbours close by. A place to simply enjoy the tranquility of life in a Reserve.

What is certain is that land in the reserve will become significantly more valuable over time, so it is an excellent time to purchase a property in the Reserve.