The dynamics and uniqueness of semigration to hermanus from across South Africa

AbstractCovid-19 significantly impacted the South African economy, particularly through geographical flexibility in workspaces, made possible by improvements in smart office technology. The ability to participate in hybrid forms of work (and ‘work from home’) has increased patterns of decentralised living, moving away from larger cities towards peripheral suburban locations and smaller towns, usually with the aim of improving living conditions. This trend has been described as ‘semigration’, and towns in the Western Cape seem to be the prime locations. The aim of this study is to investigate the extent and characteristics of semigration to Hermanus, in the Western Cape of South Africa. The data for this study was collected from two companies (Lightstone and Property24). Sampled data from Lightstone was analysed through frequency counts to provide a trend analysis of semigration to Hermanus. Property24’s open-source data was analysed through frequencies, crosstabulations, and various spatial statistical techniques in ArcMap. Results indicate that Covid-19 slowed the pace of property purchases in Hermanus but did not necessarily increase this pace drastically in comparison to previous years. This offers only some anecdotal evidence of potential semigration but does not necessarily confirm it. Geographic shifts were however observed in locations where properties were purchased, while property prices increased in certain suburbs but decreased in others. These variations, together with changing characteristics of semigrants (i.e., their origin locations, wealth segments, and age groups) could suggest changing demographic patterns associated with the semigration phenomenon. Significant impacts on municipal policies and strategies were identified and suggestions made, along with recommendations for further research.