New data from Absa’s Homeowner Sentiment Index (HSI) for Q1 2025 has indicated that the semigration tide is turning in South Africa.
While the Western Cape has long been the poster child for South Africa’s internal migration boom, the latest data shows its grip may be loosening.
According to the data, fewer South Africans are semigrating to the Western Cape, with more turning their eyes eastward to the Eastern Cape.
The shift in semigration patterns
The HSI, a quarterly gauge of consumer confidence in the property market, revealed that although the Western Cape continues to attract more people than it loses, its net inward migration has slowed compared to the last three quarters.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape gained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, registering a noticeable increase in new residents.
The slowdown in Western Cape semigration, especially to Cape Town, is largely attributed to rising property prices and urban congestion.
Experts say the high cost of living is pushing many would-be property buyers to consider locations that offer a similar lifestyle without the big-city price tag.
“Affordability is key. Buyers are increasingly prioritising value for money, and the Eastern Cape offers larger properties at lower prices than major metros,” Giovanni Gaggia, CEO of Real Estate Services South Africa, said in an interview with BusinessTech.
The Eastern Cape’s growing appeal
Gaggia also said that the Eastern Cape was becoming a strong semigration alternative for professionals, families, and retirees alike, thanks in part to the rise of hybrid and remote work.
Smaller towns across the province offer not only better affordability but also a slower pace of life, access to nature, and strong community ties.
The appeal is broad too, with coastal hubs like Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), East London, Jeffreys Bay, Kenton-on-Sea, Hogsback, and St Francis Bay drawing in semigrating remote workers and retirees.
Inland areas such as Queenstown and Stutterheim are seeing growth too, especially among semigrating families looking for better schooling and safety.
“Young families from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal are choosing the Eastern Cape for its lifestyle, schools, and sense of security,” Gaggia noted.
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