New ‘plan B’ for wealthy South Africans – residency through a luxury Namibian golf course

Investment migration firm Henley & Partners has announced the launch of the Namibia Residence by Investment Program.

For a minimum real estate investment of R5.74 million (roughly $316,000) in the new luxury golf estate, Presidents Links Estate in Walvis Bay, investors will receive five-year, renewable work permits, which grant them to live and work in the country.

Henley & Partners said that the Namibian government is actively seeking foreign investment to boost the country’s economic growth and diversify its economy.

On top of being a link to the African continent for foreign investors, it offers tax incentives, syndicate financing and a one-stop bureau service for international companies.

Presidents Link Estate offers 745 residential homes ranging in price and style.

Namibia offers residents a safe, secure environment, a high standard of service, only tax on local income, and pristine natural beauty, said Henley & Partners.

English, Afrikaans and German are widely spoken in the country. It has a current population of 2.7 million, and its currency, the Namibian dollar, is pegged to the South African rand.

“The country provides an excellent quality of life for ex-pats and visitors alike, not least because of its huge area and small population, which means it is very peaceful and no one is ever far from some pristine nature,” Henley & Partners said.

The new residency by investment program comes when a handful of countries are cutting back on such schemes.

Popular ex-pat hub Portugal has decided to end its Golden Visa investment programme, and there are warnings that Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Malta may follow in their footsteps.

Andrew Rissik, the Group International Director at Sable International, says that the proposal to end the Golden Visa scheme in Portugal will not result in immediate termination, as there is still a lengthy process to go through.

However, if the proposal is implemented, it could impact wealthy South Africans seeking alternative residency or retirement options in Europe.

The Presidents Links

The Presidents Links in Namibia is set to be built on the edge of the Dorob National Park in the Walvis Bay Townlands, measuring roughly 148 hectares.

Properties will include the following:

The Quiver Tree

• 3 Bed/2 Bath freehold property
• R6,647,215  ($365,000)
• 184 sqm

The Quiver Tree with Loft

• 3 Bed/3 Bath freehold with loft
• R7,594,216 ($417,000)
• 219 sqm

The Moringa 

• 3 Bed/3 Bath
• R9,087,563 ($499,000)
• 283 sqm

The Welwitschia

• 4 Bed/3 Bath
• R14,587,451 ($801,000)
• 390 sqm

The Retirement Villa Plus 

• 2 Bed/2 Bath
• R6,410,465 ($352,000)
• 162 sqm

The Retirement Villa

• 2 Bed/2 Bath
• R5,754,849 ($316,000)
• 154 sqm

The group also plans to launch Timeshare offerings and one-bedroom luxury apartments soon.

The render below shows a birds-eye view of the course and the plots on it:

Read: Bad news for South Africans looking for a ‘plan B’ route to Europe