A new way of luxury living

Izinga – the isiZulu word for a ‘level of achievement’ or, more succinctly put, ‘quality’. If the
translation is to be taken literally, then the Izinga Estate in Umhlanga Rocks certainly lives up to its name. The 2000-unit development, which has attracted around R50-billion worth of investment – is revolutionising the idea of secure, gated living with its unique approach. We sat down with Izinga Estate Management Association (IZEMA) chairman Andile Mnguni and phase one chairlady Aradhana Durjan to get to the heart of this stunning estate.

You have to venture a little into the lush pockets of Umhlanga to find Izinga Estate but, once you do happen upon the crop of picture-perfect homes, it is impossible to miss. The first thing you notice when you drive in, is the lack of an imposing, heavily guarded entrance with boom gates. Yet, you still feel safe within the boundaries of natural stone and exquisite plant features.

Situated on a 226-hectare slice of land on Umhlanga Ridge, Izinga is becoming the neighbourhood of choice…even after only completing the first of six development stages. Andile believes this is largely due to their slant on security, and typical ‘gated-estate’ living. “Izinga is what we call an open estate, if you will; a gated estate without gates,” Andile says. “The roads within the estate are public roads.” Though, he admits this idea did not catch on immediately with some residents. “In the climate we live, many people want to see physical, tangible security barriers to feel
safe. But that is not what Izinga is about: here, our residents have learnt to trust each other, and to be watchmen for each other. There is no way you will feel unsafe or insecure when you have that kind of trust.” But security is still paramount at Izinga Estate, with 24-hour patrols, a control room and guards placed at strategic points throughout the estate. Bright street lights flood the neighbourhoods every night. “I believe we have created a sort of ‘inbetween’
environment that suits everyone,” says Andile.

Phase one, a 34-hectare piece of the development, comprises 21-hectares of residential development; the balance is roads and luxurious open spaces with cycle paths. This, says Aradhana, reinforces the overarching family ethos of the estate. “We encourage a healthy lifestyle at Izinga. There are wide, open parklike spaces where children can run and play, families can picnic or go for a walk with the dogs. We want to see our residents enjoying the place where they live, without fear or worry.”

Another such feature near phase one is the natural amphitheatre towards the bottom of the estate, where residents gather for meetings, fun days and a spot of music, occasionally. A successful Spring walk and fun day took place
recently and residents were very pleased to have such a wonderful estate. The 286 homes within phase one have all followed similar architectural and aesthetic guidelines – which Andile and Aradhana agree are not as rigid as some gated estates. The guidelines encourage residents to follow spec, but bring their own flair to their homes. It also gets
adapted from phase to phase to keep up with the times. “The guidelines are there to ensure uniformity, but we are flexible because we do not want every home to look exactly the same. We encourage architects building on Izinga to think, to do their research and realise the environment is not static.” The architecture is African-inspired, making
use of earthy, neutral colours and indigenous landscaping. Design reviews are also done differently: the committee will sit whenever there is a review, and not at stipulated times weeks apart, which allows buyers to progress with their plans without delay.

Since launching five years ago, Izinga has sold over a thousand homes. Phase one was followed by phase 2A, 2B, and 2E which are already sold out, except for 5PUDs in phase 2A. Phases 2C, 2D and 2F are scheduled for release late
2017. Looking to the future, the estate, which currently houses three churches on phase one and two, has a school in phase one, plans one hectare of retail and commercial development on its land. This goes a long way to establishing the ‘Sandton by the Sea’ feel developers, Tongaat Hulett are aiming for. “Umhlanga was beginning to become
concentrated with office blocks,” Andile says. “And one wonders, where would all these businessmen and women, and their families, stay? Izinga responds here, as a different product appealing to corporates.”

The estate already has some high profile residents, and Aradhana surmises this will only continue with time. She
shares examples of how residents in each cul-de-sac hold cricket tournaments and neighbourhood braais. “As a resident, I can confidently say there is no better place to live. Admittedly, the model had to be tested but once we
saw that it works, there was no turning back.” She says the outdoorsy, family-lifestyle at Izinga is unmatched. “We
are safe and we have fun. In today’s world, where everything is so rushed, so closed off and secluded…how refreshing it is to be able to say hello to our neighbours, chat to them and have our children play together. Estates like Izinga are truly the way forward.”