NOVEMBER 2006

It may be worth your while to observe the activity on the KaiKai site since the beginning of November 2006.

Archaeologist, David Morris and his team started the second phase archaeological assessment of KaiKai - digging hundreds of little sample pits to determine the extent of the KaiKai mega-midden. 

We have completed the facilities for the training of artists and craftsmen.  We hope to identify and train talented artists, mosaic artists and stone masons to assist in the sculpturing of the Wall of Expression.

A fine artist, Cameron Annear and a mosaic artist, Hannes van Der Merwe arrived on the KaiKai site on 15 November (together with 4000 square meters of tiles!) to train local artists and to start the application of mosaic art on the wall.  The training of almost fifty potential artists has already started.  During the last week of November, a stone mason, Gideon Nhlope will also train students in the art of packing Steinkopf quartzite.

ABSA Bank has recently joined the KaiKai team as project financiers.  ABSA will grant bonds to buyers although other commercial banks have already granted bonds over KaiKai stands and can also be approached.

We have already started with the construction of the 2km long perimeter wall.  We expect to finish the building of the wall, to complete the installation of the electrical network and to pave the roads by the end of March 2007.

The Department of Environmental Affairs has also recently approved the plans for the second phase of the project, which include more residential stands and some cluster stands at the back of the development.

Jimmy du Toit

VISIT OF THE NORTHERN CAPE PREMIER TO KAIKAI

KaiKai is a joint venture between the private sector and local government.

Together with projects spearheaded by national government, KaiKai forms part of an economic strategy to grow the Namaqualand region and in particular Port Nolloth.

On 5 February 2006, the Northern Cape Premier and members of her cabinet paid an official visit to the KaiKai site. Accompanied by the Mayor of the Richtersveld Municipality, Dan Singh, she was received by the developer, Jimmy du Toit.

Dan Singh and Jimmy du Toit elaborated on the social agenda of KaiKai and the design elements that are calculated to stimulate local economic development. KaiKai’s overt support of small business in the region, in particular BEE’s, was graphically displayed by the iconic quartzite wall built at our sales office on the site.

Shortly after the presentation at the KaiKai office, the Premier inspected the terrain. She was made aware of the recent discovery of archaeological remains on the KaiKai site and the opportunity it may create to reveal some of the history of the ancient inhabitants of the Northern Cape. She was also shown where and how the overall design philosophy, with its emphasis on the visual arts, will feature within the development.

The presence of SABC television and radio and other media representatives, has resulted in extensive national media coverage. The televised interview with site manager, James de Wet, created great excitement in the Port Nolloth community.

KaiKai is truly privileged to have received the Premier and members of her cabinet. In line with provincial government objectives, KaiKai will strive to make a worthy contribution towards uplifting the people of our region.

Sniffer dogs deployed at KaiKai before arrival of Premier

The Premier’s motorcade arrives at KaiKai

Jimmy du Toit receives Premier, Ms D Peters at KaiKai

The KaiKai Quartzite wall being explained to Ms Peters

From left to right: Dr M H Hendricks, Director General of the Province , Boeboe van Wyk, MEC for Housing and Local Government, Jimmy du Toit, Ms D Peters, Premier, P W Saaiman, MEC for Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Dikgetsi Parkes, MEC for Finance and Economic Affairs, Dan Singh, Richtersveld Mayor,
during the presentation in the KaiKai site office

The same group at the iconic KaiKai quartzite wall

SABC TV interviews Mayor Dan Singh on the KaiKai site

The premier with the KaiKai site team: from left to right Ben Mtetandaba, Tokkie Jansen, Sizle Benghu, James de Wet

Site Manager, James de Wet being interviewed by SABC TV

Jimmy du Toit being interviewed by SABC TV

The KaiKai site team with KaiKai photographer, Simoné Losper

The Premier returns from her drive on the site

March 2006

Two years ago I was interviewed by the editor of Archi-technology, a specialist journal of the South African Institute of Architectural Technologists. The editor of this magazine, Claire Cole, had heard of KaiKai and was fascinated by the vision of the project. The article is headlined “Raising the bar: development with a difference”. Claire Cole became convinced that KaiKai is indeed raising the bar.

In which respects is this bar now actually being raised? I would like to think that the esthetic bar is raised by the site layout, the direction of the KaiKai architecture and the intended integration with the visual arts. The social responsibility bar is raised by KaiKai’s focus on local economic development and its role as an agent for change. I am furthermore convinced that KaiKai’s community involvement, its promotion of the Nama language and its focus on the ancient history of earlier inhabitants of the area is raising the cultural bar.

Are we convincing the market? It certainly appears so. The more than 50 buyers who have signed purchase agreements and paid their deposits, is the most obvious proof of this.

The Northern Cape Premier visits KaiKai

On 5 February 2006 the Premier of the Northern Cape, Ms Dipuo Peters and members of her cabinet paid an official visit to KaiKai.
(read more)

KaiKai Natural Stone

This year we will see the completion of the KaiKai infrastructure which will take the project to the architectural phase. The vernacular features to be integrated into the architecture, the internal spaces, the entrance and the wall of expression, have been the subject of intense research. I have identified an imminently suitable source of natural stone for KaiKai.
(read more)

KaiKai Archaeology

Another jewel in the KaiKai crown has been uncovered - the KaiKai mega-midden. This archaeological phenomenon lends another significant dimension to this project.
(read more)

The |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park

Sanparks has formulated a master plan for the development of the Namaqualand-Richtersveld region. The implementation of this master plan is designated to have a massive impact on the fortunes of Port Nolloth and of course KaiKai. I have been monitoring the deployment of this plan for six years and the good news is that the opening of the border post at Sendelingsdrift north of Port Nolloth will soon be a reality.
(read more)

I remain committed to ensure the most satisfactory outcome for all involved in KaiKai.

Jimmy du Toit

December 2005

If you have been monitoring the progress of KaiKai closely, you may be perplexed by the leisurely pace at which this project has been advancing to conclusion.

Since the planning of KaiKai commenced in 2000, countless residential coastal developments have arisen as from nowhere and pursued brutal and intense marketing campaigns, only to disappear from the public radar screen just as quickly. Developers have frantically tried to ride the current property wave because, as we all know, things change – and fast.

The true nature of KaiKai is not to be found in the capriciousness of the property market. KaiKai is designed to withstand the volatility of markets and we believe we will be achieving exactly that.

The developers of KaiKai believe that, as with anything, the most sought after but also the most elusive commodity is time. Time and only time guarantees the quality that we all seek. The more time spent on a concept, the better. The more time spent designing, the better the design.

KaiKai’s anticipated lifespan is 50 years or more and the overall design of KaiKai has to work and work well for that long – we have therefore spent almost six years designing this project.

KaiKai is successfully anticipating the economic and social evolution of the broader South African society. We expect KaiKai to become the benchmark for coastal residential development in South Africa.

When you investigate KaiKai, allow yourself to contemplate the future of South Africa and even allow for a bit of creativity to creep into your thinking. You may just decide to become one of the very few that will own a KaiKai property. If you don’t, you will probably live to regret it.

Regards
Jimmy du Toit

October 2007

One of the KaiKai buyers recently remarked that he hoped that his grandchildren would one day be able to build a home on his stand at KaiKai.  He was referring to the pedestrian pace at which KaiKai is being executed.

He obviously has a valid point.  The decision to develop the KaiKai site had been taken in 2000.  It is already 2007 and we are staring at 2008!

The virtue of patience is however once again being proven.  Today KaiKai is a much stronger concept than it had been three years ago when he bought his stand.

The Port Nolloth property market is surging ahead and KaiKai stand values are showing respectable growth.

After years of research and planning, the transfers of the stands sold to date, should be registered in November 2007.  All legal processes have been completed and the installation of infrastructure is almost complete.  (view photos)

The buyers who are keen to start building will be encouraged by the casting of the foundations of the show house this month. The design of the show house was revealed at a function in Johannesburg in June.

THE WALL OF EXPRESSION

The construction of the boundary wall is at last developing momentum.  I have always intended for this wall to, not only be a  security wall, but rather a landscape installation.

Designs by local artists have already been installed on the wall.  We are also utilising  the indigenous quartzite from the Richtersveld.

We have already trained 20 mosaic artists and stone masons to apply the designs.  These artisans are building their own reputations by the quality of the work they are doing. (view photos)

THE RICHTERSVELD CULTURAL AND BOTANICAL WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Right in KaiKai’s backyard, you now find an area which is being mentioned in the same breath as Robben Island, the Cradle of Humankind and Table Mountain - the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical World Heritage Site.

Informed South-Africans have always been aware of the natural features so unique to the Richtersveld.  The rest of the globe gave recognition to this uniqueness when UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.

The naturalist who knows and understands all the facets of the Richtersveld  and who has published the seminal work on this area, Graham Williamson, is our in-house botanist.  Graham has made a scientific study of the Richtersveld for almost 25 years and is probably the only individual who knows where to find each and every rare and endemic succulent growing in the Richtersveld.

Since 2004, we have been working with Graham so that we can also have a proper understanding of the miracles beneath and around us.  As part of the process, we have undertaken several expeditions with Graham to access the secrets of the Richtersveld.  So far we have undertaken three expeditions and several more are planned between now and the end of the next winter.

These botanical miracles, which have adapted to the eccentric geology and climate of the Richtersveld over millions of years, is an additional justification for the existence of KaiKai in Port Nolloth. (view photos)

THE SENDELINGSDRIFT BORDER POST

The border post at Sendelingsdrift, just north of Port Nolloth, was officially opened on 16 October 2007. 

This event has particular significance for KaiKai.  Port Nolloth is now en route between South Africa and Namibia.  The Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is more accessible and it is easy to reach the Sperrgebiet and the Namib dessert from Port Nolloth.

In several of its publications, Sanparks has warned residents of Port Nolloth to expect an avalanche of tourists after the opening of the new border post.  KaiKai is taking particular note of this.