One aspect that has been immensely encouraging through my travels is that South Africa is gaining immense publicity and positive sentiment as an area of investment notwithstanding the crime issues. In the past, international property shows seldom took much interest in developments in the Southern African region, however with the positive progress that the country has made, combined with the 2010 Soccer World Cup, investors are beginning to realise the potential of South Africa and returns they stand to earn.

This has become particularly evident through a host of meetings with international parties who are keen to enter into joint ventures with the eLan Group based on our portfolio of products. Overseas buyers still comprise approximately 5% of our sales and we would like to see this grow to about 10-15%over the coming 2 years.

2007 is set to be an incredibly exciting year for eLan, as we look towards another year of continued success and many new innovative and pioneering development opportunities.

Simbithi Eco-Estate is now in full swing with the Country Club and 9 of the 18 holes at the Executive Golf Course open for play and over 280 residents living on the Estate. If you are within the greater Durban area and have not yet visited this amazing development, come and join us for a round of golf and take in the splendour of this development.

Blythedale Coastal Resort, launched in November last year, has truly blown us away! The sales have been phenomenal with Phase 1 close to sold out, and our Investor Club members were responsible for over R900 million worth of sales taking advantage of the 10% discount!

Our plans for this year include the launching the next phase of Simbithi (200 odd units), Phase 2 of Blythedale, a new venture, Jozini in Swaziland (800 units on a 25 000 ha Big 5 Game Reserve), the launch of Emfuleni (200 units on the Vaal River)… And so much more!

So keep reading your Investor Club newsletter and make sure that you do not miss out on the amazing proportunities that we have lined up for you this year.

In order to assist us in our marketing efforts, please take a few seconds to take part in this months’ survey.

May 2007 be as fantastic and prosperous for you as we know it will be for us.

Mark Taylor
CEO - The eLan Group

Platinum Membership allows you essentially to “buy” time, discounts and the inside track! We launch new developments to our Platinum Members first before we launch to our Gold Members and thereafter the public. This window of opportunity allows you to make an informed decision before the public arrive. Most importantly, as a Platinum Member you can receive between 5% and 10% off your purchase price during these launch periods.

Small deposits + Long transfers + No payments in between = capital growth on your initial investment!

Take a look at the investment breakdown below which highlights the benefits of buying off plan, directly from the developer!

If the end of 2006 was anything to go by in terms of record breaking (Blythedale sales topping R1,3 billion in 2 months) then 2007 is set to be even more exciting for the eLan Group!

With no less than 10 development projects being launched through the eLan Investor Club, you have every reason to stay close to the eLan Investor Club and become a Platinum Member.

There’s wide spread opinion that we are near the end of the interest rate hikes, if not at the end. That’s positive for the banks, and there’s a growing realisation that the bad debts are not going to get out of hand. There was quite a bit of panic in June 2006 when they hit us with the surprise interest rate hike, and there was a feeling that bad debts could soar. It’s about the economy as well, where if economic growth carries on around 4% to 5% per annum - which is good by historic standards - that drives the housing markets as well. That’s as important if not more important than the mild interest rate hikes that we’ve seen - so the sky isn’t going to fall on our heads.

In short, the reality in residential property is still a very good investment but commercial property is going to be even better in the coming years!

It’s all happening at Simbithi Eco-Estate!

9 of the 18-holes at the Executive Golf Course on Simbithi Country Club have been playable since December 2006. Available exclusively to Simbithi Eco-Estate residents, this private course is surrounded by spectacular freehold sites starting at R795 000 for a fairway view. Purchasing on Simbithi Phase 2 or 4 will require you to join Simbithi Golf Club. The many benefits of this membership would include unlimited rounds of golf with no green fees, preferential bookings and tee off times as well as unlimited use of the newly opened Ballito Driving Range!

Designed by Peter Matkovitch (who has seen all 16 of his previously designed courses ranked within the Top 100 in SA), the course has some interesting yet challenging par 3’s, 4’s and a par 5. Wayne Hill, Simbithi Director of Golf brings nearly 20 years involvement as a Golf Professional. Originally from Zimbabwe, Wayne qualified as a British PGA Club Professional and has played on tour in the UK and Europe.

With less than 80 stands left on Phase 2 of the Golf Course, consider this as your new home and make an enquiry today!

Blythedale breaks records in South African residential property market

Blythedale Coastal Resort continues to attract investors from around the globe and Phase 1 of the development is nearly sold out!

According to eLan Sales Manager, Andrew Thompson, “the overall response to Blythedale has been phenomenal, even given the current increases in interest rates. Our eLan Sales Agents are working around the clock conducting site tours and conveying information to interested clients. Our Investor Club has really seen the benefits of investing in this property and benefited from a 10% discount at launch. We have seen and unbelievable R900 million in sales to our investor club members alone!"

With plans in the pipeline to launch the Beach Resort Hotel as well as Phases 2 & 3 later this year, we know that you, our Investor Club Members will be first in line to once again benefit.

New Forest

We are pleased to announce that both the DFA (Development Facilitations Act) and EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) documentation is complete. At this juncture, a Specialist Report has been submitted to The Department of Water Affairs in Pretoria for their assessment. The Specialist Report, which includes 5000 hectares, as well as the neighbouring areas surrounding Avenol, will form part of the EIA documentation, which will be sent to The Department of Environment Affairs and Agriculture. The presentation of this documentation to The Department of Environment Affairs and Agriculture will in turn lead to the receipt of the Record of Decision (RoD).

It is only possible to receive a DFA hearing date after the RoD is received, however, this being said, we foresee that the hearing will be set for early next year.

So rest assured. As soon as we know anything, we’ll get the news to you!

Imagine the logistics needed to manage 20 000 volunteers - they will need to be transported to airports and stadiums, fed, organised and returned. What about the logistics of organising the transport component – taxis, buses, cars, flights etc. – what if flights are delayed or buses break down!! Many other services will be in demand such as knowledge of languages (36 teams compete in the World Cup), hospitality, food, waiters, security, medical, legal, communications, media, IT, insurance just to name a few.

Have you figured out which big companies are likely to get the contracts and how you can act as a sub contractor – what about the BEE requirements and the importance of leaving a legacy? And if you make products, be especially careful. There are a host of things you cannot do such as use the FIFA logo, or World Cup 2010. You may not sell within the perimeters of the stadium, and if you think you can sneak in and sell unlicensed products, get ready to be arrested. The FIFA legal team had 8 vendors arrested before the first game played in the Confederations cup in June 2005 in Germany – 2010 will be no different.

But don’t just focus on products and services – what about setting up new business contacts by offering to host visitors from similar businesses around the world – they will be keen to have someone able to offer local knowledge and friendship. And one area that will be of benefit to all big businesses is Human Resources – the 2010 World Cup and all the accompanying tournaments and events will provide wonderful opportunities for team building, diversity and leadership training.

eLan recently hosted a live broadcast with East Coast Radio on-board their 45-foot catamaran, The Spirit of eLan. DJ, Just Plain, stirred up the east coasters while cruising up the North Coast in a Blythedale Coastal Resort promotion on a hot Friday afternoon. Pictured are some of the guests and eLan Brand Ambassadors.