Anuva Investments launch Section 12J hospitality fund with property partners Flyt Property Investment

Anuva Investments, South Africa’s first Section 12J company, have announced the launch of a new fund available, allowing for diversification from traditional 12J private equity into the property sector via a hospitality fund created in partnership with Cape-based property developer Flyt Property Investment.

The 12J tax incentive introduced by SARS in 2009 was intended to stimulate growth in the SMME sector and ultimately lead to job creation. Historically these investments have been limited to venture capital and, in some cases, business rescue opportunities with traditional property investments not qualifying as VCCs. Investing in a qualifying 12J company requires that the company holds assets that qualify under the Act; the only property assets that qualify are those that create jobs in the hospitality sector, for example, hotels or managed accommodation properties.

The Flyt and Anuva partnership, launched as Flyt Hospitality Fund, will issues shares in selected qualifying property developments. Two Cape Town developments have been structured into the fund which issues shares giving the holder access to all the benefits of the property.  A minimum investment of R1million is required and can be made via private investor, trust, stokvel, investment syndicate or company. The investment is locked for a period of five years without any disbursements, after which shareholders can opt to remain in the structure and depending on performance, benefit from a passive income via quarterly dividend payouts.

Speaking at the launch of the fund, Zane De Decker, Managing Director of Flyt Property Investment, said: “Part of our success has been our ability to identify a good opportunity, so when 12 J hit our radar, we immediately pursued the structure as an option for our investors.”

He also quoted impressive statistics from The Western Cape Government, confirming that for every R1million invested in 12J structures, 4.1 jobs have been created in South Africa.   “It’s important for us to achieve returns in every sense. Not only do we want to achieve attractive financial yields, but it is also essential that we uplift local businesses, improve the built environment and facilitate positive progress in the areas we work in.”

Also at the launch was Neill Hobbs, CEO and founder of Anuva Investments, who said that their investment mandate with Flyt Property Investment is to invest in quality hospitality opportunities. “Together with the team at Flyt, our strategy is to find outstanding opportunities in the property sector: good quality, strategically located properties with a focus on sectional-title serviced apartments and student accommodation. We have worked closely with Zane De Decker and are optimistic at the potential this diversification will offer our investors.”

Cape Town’s latest property group takes off

Adding to this positive drive is Flyt Property Investment, Cape Town’s newest property development brand which was announced on 2 September 2019.

The brand originates out of an alliance between Proventus Property’s Zane De Decker and private equity investors who have valued and supported his work in the past. Speaking in Cape Town this week, De Decker confirmed their strategy of finding only meaningful opportunities that challenge the status quo. De Decker, who has made a name for himself as somewhat of a pace-setter, emphasises: “It’s important for us to achieve returns in every sense. Not only do we want to achieve attractive financial yields, but it is also essential that we uplift local businesses, improve the built environment and facilitate positive progress in the areas we work in.”

The Flyt partnership is focused on the Cape Town area, spanning residential, hospitality, industrial and commercial projects, and already have a number of successful developments notched on their belts. Their newest development, Eaton Square, situated in Diep River, consists of 66 sectional title apartments. The ‘brownfield’ development (previous development that is not currently in use) is proof of their alternative co-living model that incorporates a fully-managed ‘plug and play’ concept targeted at the younger generation. Due to launch in early 2020, Wink Apartments, a Foreshore development consisting of 30 residential units and 130sqm of retail space, will include an allotted portion of rooms available to the Airbnb-type hospitality rental market.

Pipeline developments and projects include a property in Rosebank and a mixed-use development in Buitengracht Street, Cape Town. The group has indicated that they will soon be launching a Section12J property fund aimed at interested investors.