It is with much gratitude that I write the foreword to this month’s newsletter. The successful launch of Domaine Bonaventure has been overwhelming and it is testimony to the benefits of our Investor Club Membership. It was incredible to be in contact with the Brand Ambassadors, guests and staff from around the world all launching the development simultaneously in different cities around the globe. Thank you for your valued support!

The success of such an incredible product would not have been possible without our hugely credible development partners, Gamma Civic. Gamma is today recognised as the leading building materials, construction and property development company in Mauritius and has been listed on the Mauritius stock exchange since 1994. Its slogan, "Dare to Dream" is epitomized through their style of management and is reflected in all of Gamma's landmark achievements. Employing over 2000 people, the Gamma group is ranked amongst the Top 40 companies on the island, in terms of annual turnover and net profit. Gamma has been instrumental in initiating the development and seeing the process through on the Mauritian side. I am delighted to be united with such a strong and reputable partner in Gamma, as the eLan-Gamma partnership presents the perfect platform for future South African and Mauritian endeavours.

We are being updated on a weekly basis regarding the land claim at Blythedale. As frustrating as it is for us being out of our control, we have been advised that the claim is heading in the right direction i.e. resolution! While sales are still buoyant and interest has certainly not slowed down, we await with eager anticipation.

As title sponsors of the South African Rugby Legends, we have included a paragraph on the Field of Dreams, please read about it and pledge your support for this worthy cause!

Regards,

CEO The eLan Group

Domaine Bonaventure launched on the 23rd April to the Platinum Members of the eLan Investor Club in a worldwide exclusive sales opening evening. In excess of R400 000 000 worth of property was reserved on the first night! A discount of US$20 000 was offered to all Platinum Members and will be valid for a period of 30 days.

The mix of buyers was a healthy combination of investors and those seeking a permanent residence – this is evident through the mix of stand alone villas purchased versus Hotel Villa’s which deliver rental return.

On offer on the night were Hotel Garden Apartments, Hotel Villa’s and Residential Villa’s. A total of three phases were opened up on launch night and Platinum Members will continue to enjoy discounted prices until the 23 May when the development opens to the public.

Mark Taylor, Anthony Mariner, Jamie Thom, Thami Kamanga		Mark Whitfield, Mark Taylor, Patricia Lewis, Derek Watts

Liz Birt and Jonty Rhodes		Vijan Pillay and Richard Anderson

The Domaine Bonaventure website will go live at the same time as Gold Launch, 6pm, 7 May!

Tourism has unquestionably played a critical role in Mauritius’ positive economic development in the last decade.

Output in the hotel and restaurant sector has grown nearly six-fold over the past 10 years. It rose from R3.2bn in 1995 to R18.8bn in 2007. Consequently, its share in GDP rose from 5.1% in 1995 to around 9.2% in 2007. Investment in the hotel and restaurant sector has also risen over the past 10 years. From R1.2bn in 1995, it is expected to go up to R9.3bn after 2007.
In recent years, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the tourism sector has gained momentum. After an average of R56bn worth of FDI in the tourism sector between 1995 and 2004, it is estimated to increase to R5.1bn after 2007. In fact, this leap in FDI in the tourism sector occurred in the last two years with an important contribution made by the various Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) projects on the island.

The rise in total tourist arrivals was due to upgrading of infrastructure, the improvement of hotel standards and liberalised air access. Additional liners are expected to consolidate and expand tourist arrivals with the National Airline Company also increasing its fleet by two.

With the government policy to attract two million tourists by the year 2015, assuming a room occupancy rate of 70%, it is estimated that 16 500 additional rooms will be required and this represents the construction of 80 additional hotels of 200 rooms each.

Source: Business Magazine No 807

Dolf offers a truly global perspective on the surprisingly lucrative wealth-building opportunities of Real Estate. Passionate about sharing what he has learnt over the last three decades investing in property himself, Dolf has taught in over 25 countries around the world. The author of 11 books, he has appeared in hundreds of radio and television interviews around the world.

While studying at University, Dolf felt that indoctrination was outdated and that if he could identify 30 or 40 things the rich had in common, he could emulate those things and he too could become rich. The study took too long because he could not find anything the rich had in common, in fact, he could only identify two things they had in common. One was that almost without exception, the rich either made their money or held their wealth in real estate. That is exactly what Dolf started to do. By the time he had his PhD, he had quite a portfolio and to this day, has never had a job. He now dedicates a significant portion of his time helping others achieve the same financial freedom.

The Real Estate Investor Magazine has brought Dolf to South Africa so that we can tap into his valuable knowledge. Attend either a Real Estate Power Investing Seminar “How to make money in property anywhere in the world” or a Breakfast Talk “World trends in property investing”

Date Location Venue Time Tue 13 May JHB Sandton Sun & Towers 7:30-9:30am Wed 14 May Pretoria CSIR 8-10am Wed 21 May Durban One-on-One, Gateway 8-10am Thu 22 May Port Elizabeth Boardwalk 8-10am Fri 23 May Cape Town Cape Town International Convention Centre 8-10am Breakfast Talk - R500 per delegate

Date Location Venue Time Tue 20 May JHB Gallagher Estate, Midrand 8am – 6pm Tue 27 May Cape Town Cape Town International Convention Centre 8am – 6pm Full Day Seminar - R3999 per delegate

Now in its fifth year, Simbithi Eco-Estate has yet another accolade to add to its feathered cap. The Simbithi Golf Course, an 18-hole executive course designed by Peter Matkovitch, has been ranked 32nd out of the top 50 courses in the country by one of South Africa’s top golfing magazines, Compleat Golfer.

Each course is ranked hole by hole and given a mark out of ten for definition, shot value, playability and aesthetics. The course is also judged on landscape management, routing, design balance, memorability and eco-friendliness.

Convenor of the judging panel, John Botha said, “It is unusual for such a new course to be ranked so highly.” The Simbithi Golf Course was officially opened in October 2006 and is a unique concept. Being a par 60 course, players may finish a round in three hours.  Simbithi received high marks for good use of terrain and excellent construction. In addition, Botha said, “It is a wonderful playing experience as it strikes a great balance, catering for experienced as well as novice players.  

As founding developers of Simbithi we are happy to see our vision for a popular and challenging golf course come to fruition and excited to be ranked so highly with Peter Matkovitch’s design getting the recognition it deserves.

Construction on the Simbithi Clubhouse which is currently being designed by local architect Charles Taylor will commence later this year. It will include tennis, squash and a swimming pool. Membership is open to local residents outside Simbithi. Fees are R3420 a year including green fees. So, if you play golf once a week, a round will cost you no more than R66.

Contact:
Simbithi Country Club 032 525 4632
Wayne Hill (Golf Director) 082 441 1537

Set on Acacia Drive on a prime site boasting sea views and forest settings, the development of Savanna, a community for active over 50’s, has commenced construction. Earthworks have begun and once platforms are completed, the construction of the first 50 homes will follow.

Co-developer, Grant Harvey comments, “This is an important development for us as we are bringing an excellent quality product to the market in a majestic Estate. The total development will incorporate 160 stand alone and semi-detached homes with a dedicated on-site Savanna Care Centre. This on-site clinic will include nursing, doctor’s consultation and a frail-care section. The first few show houses will be ready for viewing by August this year!”

Retirement real estate is a niche property investment and investing in KZN’s premier Eco Estate is a solid opportunity. Keen eyes will be watching out to stake their claim on the best sites left!

Sales Contact:
Alan Coetzer	082 508 7921
Ed Frank	084 600 7093
Willie Barnard	082 966 4069

As Mauritius is fairly isolated, its diversity of wildlife is fairly low, however many of the species are endemic, found only in Mauritius and no where else in the world which makes it unique! For the nature lover, Mauritius is certainly exciting and offers far more than beautiful beaches and days that are not suitable for beaching can be spent discovering the fascinating flora and fauna of Mauritius.

Within the forests and its diversity of tropical plants, palm savannah and oceans, a host of existing mammals, birds and reptiles await you. About 670 indigenous species of flowering plants are found and nearly half of these are endemic.

Some interesting and endemic animals found in Mauritius include the Mauritius Flying Fox and Rodrigues Flying Fox (large bats) as well as the Dugong, which is a herbivorous mammal inhabiting rivers, estuaries, coastal marine waters, swamps and marine wetlands. The Dugong can have a total length of about three metres and weighs up to 400kgs.

Another mammal of noteworthy proportion where males have been known to weigh over 3000kg, is the Southern Elephant Seal. These animals feed on squid, fish and crustaceans off the Mauritian coastline. Whales including the Dwarf Sperm Whale, Blainvilles Beaked Whale and Grays Beaked Whale are also found in the surrounding ocean.

A number of introduced mammals include mongooses, Rusa Deer and Crab Eating Macaques. A Crab Eating Macaque is also referred to as a Cynomolgus Monkey. This animal occurs in a wide variety of habitats and is similar to the Vervet Monkey in that they adjust well to human settlements (often referred to as crop raiders).

The island has over 100 bird species of which eight are endemic. The Mauritian White-Eye is the most common of these species found across the island. The Mauritius Kestrel, Mauritius Parakeet and Pink Pigeon all came close to extinction prior to conservation initiatives which have restored numbers on the island.

The island has a number of reptiles like the Night Gecko and Keeled-Scaled Boa. Giant Tortoises formally occurred but are now extinct.

Conservation on the island is undertaken by the National Parks and conservation services and by NGO’s like the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation and The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.

So when heading for Mauritius to take occupancy of your new home at Domaine Bonaventure, don’t forget your binoculars, a pair of comfortable walking shoes and your camera - a great new wildlife adventure awaits you on the island!

The public will be happy to notice that the Blythedale Coastal Resort site is now festooned with colourful images and happy endings! 520m² of billboard advertising has been erected on either side of the N2 National Highway and on the farm itself.

So, for a more visual embrace, head out to the on-site sales office one day and let the team host you on this magnificent stretch of coastline.

Investor Club Manager