Many South African small towns are full of charm and history.
Each has a story.
Perhaps it’s a story of growth or decline.
One South African town in Greater Addo sits in the middle.
It could either be on the cusp of revival or on the edge of demise.
Regardless, buyers can benefit from acres selling for under R200 000.
Small Town Acres for R195 000
South Africa has many sprawling plots for sale at unbelievable prices.
In one KwaZulu-Natal town, acres within a development are available for under R200 000.
But these come with development conditions, rates, and levies.
In Alicedale, an hour from Grahamstown, in the Eastern Cape, that isn’t the case.
One property is listed for R195 000.
The plot is 3.7 acres and connected to municipal services: water and sewerage.
The rates are R489.90, and it borders a golf estate.
In any other town, this would be a steal.
But this isn’t any other town; this is a small town where two of the three roads connecting it to the broader region aren’t tarred.
The town has two schools: the Hendrik-Kanise combined school and George Jacques Primary School.
There’s also a USave Box.
The town has potential.
Alicedale Today
Located 53 kilometres from Grahamstown, Alicedale has fallen from its heyday.
In its glory days, the small town benefited from the active rail line.
There are tales of students partying into the early hours at the train station.
But Alicedale isn’t the town people expect.
Data from Property24 shows there’s only been one sale this year in this small countryside town.
That sale? A plot for R30 000.
Alicedale had placed its egg in the basket of a golf estate.
The Bushman Sands Golf Estate, which should have brought luxury and jobs to this countryside town, is currently defunct.
Gary Player designed the golf course, and the estate boasted a pool, clubhouse, conference facilities, and luxury accommodation.
During its years in operation, plots on the estate sold for R495 000.
Today, a 600-square-metre serviced plot in the estate is listed for just under R200 000.
Sellers will be fortunate if they get R50 000.
While the hotel and golf course are closed, the estate still has security.
Where to Next for Alicedale?
What happens next for Alicedale will depend on whether the town can be revived.
Although there are plenty of vacant and abandoned plots in the area, the town has only 6 active listings.
Nearby, you can find game reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.
The potential is endless, especially for a buyer who knows the area.
