A confidence-boosting blueprint for growth, jobs and real estate investment

The third version of the 2025 national Budget has finally landed, with a very welcome message for investors, job seekers and the property market, says Berry Everitt, CEO of the Chas Everitt International property group.

"We are very pleased to see that fiscal discipline and bold infrastructure plans are back in focus and anticipate that this will do much to fuel confidence in South Africa's economic future."

He says that by maintaining financial discipline while avoiding harsh austerity, the budget delivers a credible roadmap that balances social priorities with long-term growth. "With non-interest expenditure set to rise by an average of 5,4% over three years and 61% of this channelled into funding better public education and healthcare, affordable housing, free basic electricity and water supplies to poor households and social grants for those in need, the Government of National Unity has now achieved a constructive balance between supporting our most vulnerable citizens and creating a solid foundation for economic expansion.

Read more: Confidence on the rise in SA

"Crucially, the commitment to invest over R1-trillion in infrastructure and to facilitate much more private sector investment in related projects has been widely welcomed as a strong growth signal. 

"The envisaged improvements in SA's road and commuter rail networks, green energy capacity and water supply lines will not only address many of the country's deep-seated service delivery and logistical bottlenecks but also stimulate employment and economic activity across multiple sectors."

And in supporting responsible and sustainable fiscal management, the social wage and investments in economic growth, the Budget also sets the stage for long-term investor confidence, faster economic growth, job creation and ultimately a much more robust real estate sector, Everitt says.

"As infrastructure spending gains momentum, it is expected to create jobs across various skill levels, particularly in construction, logistics and energy, and these are key sectors that feed directly into real estate demand. A rise in employment and infrastructure-led urban renewal is likely to drive stronger residential property demand, especially in areas benefiting from new transport corridors, water infrastructure and housing developments.

"What is more, the structural reforms outlined in the second phase of Operation Vulindlela, including plans to improve the performance of local governments and to address the historical spatial inequalities of our cities, should go a long way towards addressing South Africa's long-standing housing challenges."

The proposed reforms include changes to housing policy, accelerating the release of publicly owned land and buildings for development, clearing the backlog of title deeds for affordable housing and the removal of barriers to private sector development of low-cost housing.

"In short, the 2025 Budget signals to the world that South Africa is serious about reform, recovery and inclusive growth and this is an encouraging message for anyone looking to invest in a country with excellent prospects, especially in the real estate sector."