We are all winners in Team SA

South Africa is definitely on a winning streak at the moment, from the Springbok's fabulous RWC win that still has the whole country celebrating, to Mamelodi Sundowns FC claiming the first African Football League title right through to the SA team winning several titles at the recent Golden Shears world sheep shearing championships in Scotland.

And all of this has given us back the wonderful feeling of being at the top of our game as a country, ready to show the world what we can - and always do - achieve when we unite, put aside our differences and work hard towards a common goal, step by step. It has shown us once again that we really do have absolutely everything it takes to be a country on the rise rather than in decline.

Does this mean we don't have problems? Of course not (and I don't think there is any country in the world that could truly say that right now). But it does give us renewed optimism that we are getting on top of ours, and I am experiencing that strong sense of hope everywhere I go, and among everyone I talk to, from top executives and professionals to small business owners to uber drivers and shop assistants. We just know, now, that things have made a turn for the better again and that we are all going to be participants in a new season of progress. 

This is also clearly reflecting in our business and among our executives and agents, who have achieved incredible results this year. While the market average has been a 24% decline in the number of sales, our teams have kept the decline in Chas Everitt to just 6% - and have actually increased sales substantially in certain areas such as Cape Town and the Whale Coast.

We have also continued to steadily increase our market share and to attract the absolute cream of the crop among property professionals, by maintaining a winning brand and offering world-class technology and business solutions to keep them at the top of their game. 

We are also noticing increased confidence among the property owners and buyers we serve that the market is set to improve over the next 12 months, especially if inflation remains under control and interest rates hopefully moderate.

Of course, we are all also hoping for an end to the current conflicts in the Ukraine and the Middle East as that would not only give the Rand a boost but also improve the world economy and create room and reason for much more foreign investment and job creation in SA.

Meanwhile, though, we are all grateful for the fact that loadshedding is becoming less severe as more and more private power installations take pressure off the national power grid, and that our tourism industry is thriving as increasing numbers of people around the world discover what an exceptional, astounding, astonishing and breathtaking country we have, full of beautiful, friendly and creative people as well as amazing business and investment opportunities.

And while we may have our sportsmen and women to thank for once more opening the world's eyes to SA, we can all be part of Team SA now and play a role in keeping the momentum going, as we are doing at Chas Everitt thanks to our membership of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. Through this global network and our personal interactions with the very best real estate brokerages and sales agents around the world, we can see that there is definitely a growing appreciation now among international investors of the remarkable value to be found in SA real estate, as well as the magnificent lifestyle we are privileged to enjoy. Indeed, it is becoming ever more evident that just being here is what makes us all winners in SA!