Younger women in South Africa increasingly acquiring real estate to build personal capital

As part of the celebration of Women's Month in South Africa in August, the focus is placed on the often underestimated aspect of women's empowerment—the development of financial skills. The author notes that understanding financial language can transform both businesses and communities.

Through her career as a chartered accountant (CA), working both locally and internationally in New York and Sydney, the author is convinced of the importance of financial independence for women and its ability to allow them to live by their own rules.

Empowering Female Entrepreneurs

South Africa is a leader in Africa in supporting female entrepreneurship. Despite persistent gender inequality, women in South Africa are achieving success in the business world. The country ranks second in Africa for the percentage of businesses owned by women and the official support available to them. Nevertheless, the unemployment rate among women in the country is 35.5%, compared to 32.6% for men, indicating the need for further progress.

The author believes that financial literacy can help unlock potential. Financial literacy involves knowing the principles of handling money: how it is earned, managed, invested, and saved. It also means knowing how to use financial tools and resources to make informed decisions and achieve financial goals. Understanding the basic principle of cost-to-income ratio is critically important regardless of profession—whether you are a doctor, hairdresser, or software developer. Knowing the financial status of a business helps manage cash flow, which is often the cause of a business failure.

When women have financial literacy, they are better able to start their own businesses, make sound investment decisions, and contribute to the economic growth of their communities. They are better prepared to overcome financial crises, advocate for fair wages, and plan for a secure retirement.

Developing Financial Skills to Unlock Growth Opportunities

In her role as co-founder and director of Finance Studio, she enjoys observing the drive for growth among small business clients. One early client solved the problem of not being able to obtain bank financing by selling a 24-month mobile contract for 20,000 South African Rand and using these funds to launch their venture. The author called this a brilliant solution and expressed love for the resilience of South Africans. By watching clients grow and create jobs, the author feels she has made a positive impact on the future of South Africa. She is also proud of her own growth and the team of talented young accountants and CAs.

Leveraging Support to Develop Financial Skills

As a firm co-founder, the company has always strived to provide exceptional service to clients. Financial expertise has helped the firm develop sustainably without sacrificing quality of work. The company intends to help its clients develop their own financial competencies. The author believes that financial literacy is necessary for all business owners, and they recommend using online tools such as Xero to analyze the company's financial position. Without knowing their financial figures, it is impossible to make decisions that will help the business succeed.

Working with an accountant and using intuitive tools for bookkeeping frees up busy entrepreneurs, allowing them to dedicate time to what they enjoy. In honor of Women's Month, it is necessary to ensure the financial empowerment of women and advocate for financial literacy. Whether you are an experienced business owner, a budding entrepreneur, or a woman just starting her financial journey, remember the power of knowing your numbers. You must acquire financial skills, utilize digital tools, and take control of your financial future.

In South Africa, women are showing increasing financial autonomy, which is reflected in significant progress in the ownership of both housing and vehicles. In August, recognized as Women's Month, new data reveals a noticeable transformation in ownership dynamics.

These changes highlight a new level of dominance in real estate investments, which were previously predominantly held by men, according to Hayley Irvine-Downs from Lightstone Property. She noted a steady shift in ownership patterns as more South African women acquire property, indicating their growing financial confidence and belief in real estate as a long-term investment.

The historically male-dominated real estate sector is undergoing a paradigm shift. According to the latest reports, women now surpass men in the housing market. The share of homes owned by women as sole buyers has sharply increased from 30% in 2014 to an impressive 39% by 2025. Meanwhile, the share of joint ownership by couples has decreased from 39% to 30%.

It is important to note that 'female sole buyers' are defined as women who are the sole registered owners of the property, regardless of their marital or partnership status. The overall trend of rising ownership has far-reaching implications: properties owned exclusively by women or jointly with men account for a substantial 69% of total ownership, while male ownership remains stable at 31%.

Lightstone's analysis showed that out of approximately 200,000 residential property transactions made by individuals over the past year, 140,000 involved sole buyers, of which 75,000 were female sole buyers. Furthermore, about 60,000 transactions were joint purchases where women collaborated with male buyers.

The rise in female buyers is notable, especially between July 2024 and June 2025, largely driven by a surge in low-cost property transfers. This shift is also visible in the price ranges of affordable housing, where female sole buyers significantly outperform their male counterparts, particularly in categories below R250,000, from R250,000 to R500,000, from R500,000 to R750,000, and from R750,000 to R1 million.

Government housing support programs also play a significant role in this trend: 26% of transfers to women as exclusive owners are subsidized, compared to 21% for male sole buyers and 17% for male/female joint purchases. When these subsidized properties are excluded from the analysis, it becomes clear that female buyers prefer secure living conditions: 12% chose Estate Freehold, 4% preferred Estate Sectional Schemes, and a significant 37% opted for Sectional Scheme properties.

Over 47% of female sole buyers entered the Freehold market. Financially, female buyers generally spend less on average than men: women pay nearly R2.2 million for Estate Freehold properties and just over R1.5 million for Estate Sectional Scheme properties, excluding subsidies. Moreover, female buyers show a clear trend toward ownership with age: at age 30, women constituted 50% of buyers, and by age 74, this figure rises to 73%, indicating a preference for sectional titles.

For many women in South Africa, financial independence does not automatically translate into the freedom to manage money, save funds, or plan for the future. Instead, their income is often used to support the entire family.

Women aged between 30 and 50 may simultaneously bear the financial responsibility for multiple generations: they raise children, assist adult children struggling to find employment, support elderly parents, all while trying to maintain their own careers and domestic life.

This situation is often referred to as being part of the 'sandwich generation.' The financial pressure can be immense, especially against the backdrop of constantly rising costs of living. However, the costs are measured not only in Rands but also affect health: women may be the first to postpone doctor's visits, forgo retirement savings, or sacrifice time for themselves.

During Women's Month, it is important to move beyond typical conversations about financial independence and examine the consequences of a woman's income supporting an entire family, and at what cost to her.

The Reality in South Africa

The sandwich generation is typically associated with people aged from late 30s to late 50s. Nevertheless, Lance Blumeris from Unu Health notes that South Africans take on these responsibilities much earlier than people in many other countries.

He explains: 'Although this is often linked to people in their late 30s to late 50s, the reality is that many South Africans begin bearing these responsibilities much earlier due to our unique social and economic circumstances.' Unlike countries where families tend to act more independently, households in South Africa often support multiple generations.

Adult children may remain financially dependent longer due to high unemployment rates and the rising cost of living. Simultaneously, elderly parents live longer, often suffering from chronic illnesses requiring constant care and financial assistance.

According to Blumeris, 'what distinguishes South Africa is that many households are already supporting extended family members, whether they are elderly parents, unemployed relatives, or children who remain financially dependent for longer.' This places a unique strain on middle-income earners.

These individuals may earn enough not to qualify for certain types of aid, but not enough to comfortably cover the growing expenses for healthcare, education, housing, and daily life for several generations.

The Hidden Healthcare Crisis

Most discussions about the sandwich generation focus on emotional stress, but healthcare workers are increasingly warning that the consequences are far deeper. People caring for multiple family members often become responsible for making healthcare decisions for different generations.

They manage medications, coordinate appointments, monitor chronic conditions, and provide emotional support, all while trying to keep their own lives in order. Blumeris notes the irony that caregivers often forget about themselves.

'What we are seeing is a group of people who are constantly managing the health of others but often neglect their own,' he says. Over time, such neglect can have serious consequences. Healthcare workers regularly record symptoms related to chronic stress in caregivers: anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, constant fatigue, headaches, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease are common.

'One of the biggest problems is that the caregivers themselves become patients,' asserts Blumeris. The issue is that burnout rarely happens suddenly; it accumulates slowly over months or even years.

'People get used to functioning under pressure until physical or mental symptoms become impossible to ignore. At this stage, intervention is often more complex and costly than if preventive care had been provided earlier.'

When Healthcare Becomes a Luxury

South Africans have faced years of rising prices for food, fuel, increases in electricity tariffs, and financial uncertainty. For those supporting multiple generations, healthcare often becomes another complex balancing act.

Many caregivers are forced to make impossible choices between their own well-being and the needs of their family members. Blumeris reports: 'We see many people postponing doctor's visits, rescheduling screenings, missing follow-up appointments, or avoiding seeking help altogether because they are focused on meeting their families' immediate needs.'

In families where budgets are already tight, preventative medical care often becomes one of the first casualties. 'People might decide to pay for a parent's medication or a child's medical needs, putting off their own check-up or treatment.'

Unfortunately, such decisions can lead to even greater health and financial problems in the future. 'Preventive care is almost always cheaper than treating advanced diseases, but when household budgets are limited, preventative care is often the first thing to be sacrificed.'

Signs That Cannot Be Ignored

For many caregivers, stress becomes so normalized that they stop noticing how it affects their health. Constant exhaustion, poor sleep, irritability, headaches, digestive issues, and a persistent feeling of emotional overload can be signs that a person is carrying too heavy a load.

Blumeris also points out that changes in behavior can signal problems. 'People should also pay attention to changes in their behavior, such as social isolation, increased reliance on alcohol or unhealthy coping mechanisms, or a constant feeling of guilt whenever they try to make time for themselves.'

Perhaps one of the most destructive aspects of caregiver burnout is the guilt many people feel when trying to put themselves first. The belief that self-care is selfish often prevents people from seeking help before they start experiencing serious difficulties.

Why Self-Care Matters

For members of the sandwich generation, self-care is often viewed as a luxury rather than a necessity. However, health experts argue the exact opposite. Blumeris states: 'The first step is to recognize that self-care is not selfishness; it is a vital necessity. If your health deteriorates, your ability to support the people who depend on you is also at risk.'

The good news is that protecting one's health does not necessarily require radical lifestyle changes. Small actions, such as regular medical check-ups, adequate sleep, physical activity, and creating moments of personal rest, can have a significant impact.

Technology also helps alleviate some of the burden. Digital healthcare platforms simplify access to medical consultations, appointment scheduling, and managing healthcare needs for families without the need to spend hours traveling or waiting in queues.

Furthermore, experts emphasize that caregivers must stop believing they have to carry everything alone. 'Whether it is involving siblings, extended family members, community networks, or healthcare professionals, sharing the load is often one of the healthiest decisions a caregiver can make.'

A Problem South Africa Can No Longer Ignore

As South Africans live longer and economic pressure continues to rise, an increase in people caught between caring for children and elderly parents is expected. Despite their critical role in maintaining family function, the sandwich generation often remains unnoticed or unsupported.

Blumeris believes that both employers and the healthcare sector need to start paying more attention to this issue. 'I believe this is a growing problem that remains significantly underestimated. The sandwich generation quietly carries a huge responsibility, but very few public discussions focus on the practical reality they face every day.'

Flexible workplaces, better access to preventative healthcare, affordable medical services, and stronger mental health support could help reduce the burden. He concludes: 'The sandwich generation has become the backbone of many families. It is time to support them with the same dedication they show to everyone else.'

However, currently, many South Africans remain in limbo, acting as healthcare managers, financial planners, and emotional support systems for multiple generations simultaneously. The difficulty is that while they care for everyone else, no one cares for them.