South Africa has a new Town of the Year – and it’s closer than you think

Hartbeespoort has been named South Africa’s Town of the Year for 2026, but behind its growing popularity lies an interesting question: is ‘Harties’ becoming a thriving residential community or an increasingly exclusive playground for wealthy Gautengers?

New research from property data specialists Lightstone paints a fascinating picture of a town undergoing significant transformation.

Speaking on HOT Business with Jeremy Maggs, powered by Standard Bank, Lightstone Property Business Development Executive Estianne Marx revealed that 85% of properties in Hartbeespoort are valued at more than R1.5 million.

Listen to Estianne’s full conversation with Jeremy Maggs below:

It’s a market that increasingly favours established homeowners over first-time buyers, with 38% of property owners aged 55 and older.

Interestingly, half of individual property owners also own property elsewhere, reinforcing Hartbeespoort’s appeal as a second-home destination. However, Marx says growing numbers of Gautengers are making Harties their permanent home, attracted by its outdoor lifestyle, secure estates and relative proximity to Johannesburg and Pretoria.

That popularity comes with challenges.

Research indicates that visiting vehicles outnumber residents’ vehicles by approximately four to one, raising questions about pressure on roads, water infrastructure and municipal services.

Meanwhile, residential estates continue to emerge across the area, driven by sustained demand for secure living. Marx believes developers will increasingly need to consider the requirements of an ageing population, including retirement-focused accommodation.

But can the property boom last?

With approximately 80% of the area’s properties developed over the past 25 years, Hartbeespoort’s residential market is still relatively young. While demand currently supports property values, Marx cautions that only time will reveal whether those prices are sustainable.

For now, Harties appears to be evolving beyond its traditional identity as Gauteng’s favourite weekend getaway.