The quaint village of Kloof and its country club lifestyle
Heading west from Durban, at the top of Fields Hill, you will discover the well-established and upmarket suburb of Kloof. Once a little village with misty forests and farmlands, Kloof has blossomed into a thriving suburb and community that is served by a range of upscale shopping centres, boutique stores, popular eateries and renowned schools. The evolution of Kloof has seen it grow from a quiet backwater to one of Durban's premier residential suburbs. But around every corner, you'll still see the forested hills, misty vales and dramatic plunging cliffs of its wild past. And flowing through the heart of it all - the Krantzkloof gorge - a remarkable landmark that christened the area with its distinctive name.
A variety of value-for-money homes
Kloof's close-knit community is a comfortable mix of families who have lived in the area for generations and newcomers settling in the suburb for a slice of Kloof life. Reflecting this trend, most owners in the suburb are over the age of 50 (66%) - a trait that bears tribute to Kloof's generational family roots. However, a rush of fresh blood is enriching this status quo, with over 42% of recent purchasers being predominantly middle-aged buyers (36 - 49 years). The numbers also show that once folks settle, they like to stay - as 48% of owners have lived in their homes for 11 years and more. The property available is chiefly freehold (70%), but an established sectional title market of 26% shows healthy growth. Over the last 12 months, from September 2021 to August 2022, the average selling price of freehold and sectional title homes was R2,742,805 and R2,097,949 respectively.
According to Joshua Friedman, Sales Director at Shelley Residential Upper Highway, "Kloof's residential market is primarily driven by demand for the exceptional schools in the neighbourhood. It may be known for its large freestanding homes with extensive 'Kloof acre' stands and gardens, but Kloof actually caters all for budgets, has a wide variety of homes and offers great value for money. From vacant land and two-bedroom sectional title units under R1 Million to grand residential estates priced up to R15 Million, and a wide mix of everything else in between, Kloof has something for everyone."
With Shelley Residential's recent expansion into the Upper Highway area, the boutique real estate company is in the process of setting up its new sales office at Pioneer Campus on Pioneer Road. "With its easy access to the M13 highway, a growing retail and commercial hub, along with its great schools and amenities, we couldn't think of a better place to invest in and call home," said Friedman.
World-class schools and amenities
Kloof families are treated to a wealth of convenient and world-class amenities. A major draw for the area is the prestigious local schools. This includes the Kloof Junior Primary, Senior Primary and High School. Independent options comprise the co-educational Thomas More College, which was established in 1965 and caters for kids in grade 0000 up to grade 12, and St Mary's DSG - an all-girls school with a long, rich history dating back to 1906 and an impressive record for educating girls from grade R to Matric.
Feeding all these flourishing families is the job of several well-loved neighbourhood eateries. Stokers Arms - the local pub and restaurant housed in what was once the Kloof Railway Station - has been on the scene since 1987 and has become an integral part of the tapestry of Kloof life. Other firm favourites include the Hussar Grill, billing itself as "the finest grillroom in all of the Zulu Kingdom", Sprigs for freshly baked goods and the cosy Bellevue Cafe - a trendy and tasteful bistro affair.
Four major shopping centres - Field's Centre, the Village Mall, Maytime Centre and the Delcairn Centre - provide locals with everything from the daily food run to fashion to fitness. Popular retail outlets like Woolies, Pick 'n Pay, Spar, Mr Price and Checkers are all represented, along with a slew of charming boutique stores.
The call of the great outdoors
Of course, all this fine dining must be balanced by healthy outdoor pursuits, and Kloof doesn't disappoint. As far back as 1926, folks have been whacking, smacking (and sometimes hacking) their way down the fairways of Kloof Country Club. Undulating its way around two returning loops of 9 holes, the 18-hole parklands golf course is well-maintained and hugely popular. The club includes squash, tennis and cricket facilities, a clubhouse restaurant, and a handy halfway house for mid-round refuelling.
For those who are looking for something more sedate, the answer lies in Kloof's Memorial Park. Donated to the community in 1945 by local families in memory of sons who died in World War II, the park underwent a massive rehabilitation in 2005. The result exceeded all expectations, and now the pet-friendly Memorial Park is a popular and safe outdoor space that boasts indigenous flora and fauna, including a hamerkop, a water monitor and a shy genet. People gather here to walk their dogs, stroll with friends and let their kids romp around in the children's playground.
A community with heart
Another long-established part of the community is the SPCA. This worthy non-profit organisation goes well beyond the borders of Kloof - from Westville to Cato Ridge - to protect animals in need. They rely on the Kloof community for donations and volunteers to help them provide their comprehensive service- a testament to the giving and community-minded culture of Kloof residents.
Like all healthy and flourishing communities, Kloof is a balanced combination of the richness of its past and the exciting promise of its future. Of course, it helps when you have such a splendid natural setting like the Krantzkloof gorge, and the park-like golf course of Kloof Country Club, around which to build your suburb.
