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The value that rural and township property owners have created has remained unrealised because traditional valuation models failed to recognise these investments.

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Sizwe sama Yende

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A multi-billion rand property value in villages and townships, which to date has not economically benefited house and rental stock owners in these areas, stands to be unlocked with an innovative solution.

Home owners in these areas have long spent their hard-earned cash to build and revamp their properties, but without deriving any tangible  economic value due to not having title deeds. They could however be reaping the same benefits such owners in the R7 trillion urban property market.

Afrirent Holdings and KasiNomics have developed a digital solution, E-DEED, that is designed to accurately assess and certify building’s values, giving homeowners a recognised and and secure digital proof of ownership and investment.

This is financial inclusion and economic empowerment for millions of property owners who can now secure loans, access capital, or participate in the formal real estate market. 

“Homeowners in these communities have poured immense resources into their properties, building not just homes but also rental units and other income-generating structures.  For example, using our E-DEED evaluation technology in 2010 the value of Soweto’s houses was over R 103 billion, in 2024 the value of these Soweto houses was more than R 116 billion.  That’s a R 13 billion increase, not in appreciation but in physical investment in improving and extending homes,” GG Alcock of KasiNomics, the co-founder of E-DEED.

“Across a sample of 13 townships, the value in houses in 2010 was R 237 billion, by 2024 this was R 277 billion, an investment by homeowners of more than R40 billion.  This valuation process can now be done by E-DEED on a home-by-home basis,” he added.

Alcock said that the value that rural and township property owners have created has remained unrealised because traditional valuation models failed to recognise these investments. There has also been no tools to do this evaluation.

“E-DEED changes that—by providing a secure, accessible, and credible solution that allows homeowners to unlock the true value of their properties and leverage their assets for financial growth,” said Alcock.

He said that despite significant personal investment into home improvements—often funded through stokvel savings, lay-byes, microloans, and incremental material purchases—many properties remain undervalued or entirely unrecognized by financial institutions.

“Critically, for many homeowners, this also means gaining access to formal insurance coverage for the first time. E-DEED is actively engaging with the industry to develop a solution that enables homeowners to insure their properties. Access to home insurance ensures that homeowners can protect their assets, strengthening financial security and promoting greater economic inclusion,” Alcock said.

Afrirent Group executive  chairman, Senzo Tsabedze, said that Afrirent was heavily invested in driving innovation and inclusion within the property sector.

“E-DEED opens up opportunities for homeowners in townships and rural areas, enabling greater financial inclusion and wealth creation. This platform provides a secure, efficient, and transparent solution, ensuring that homeowners are no longer excluded from the financial system,” Tsabedze said.

By harnessing artificial intelligence (AI), satellite imagery, and blockchain technology, E-DEED ensures property valuations reflect actual improvements and real market worth, bridging the gap between informal property ownership and the formal financial system.

E-DEED introduces a transformative, technology-driven solution that not only certifies property value but also unlocks new financial possibilities.

Homeowners can register their properties online, submit documentation and photos, and receive a certified valuation within 24 hours. E-DEED then creates a verifiable record of ownership and investment. 

Lance Chalwin-Milton, co-founder of E-DEED, said: “Homeownership is a powerful driver of wealth and opportunity, yet many homeowners in underserved areas struggle to unlock their property’s full financial potential. E-DEED provides a simple, transparent, and secure solution that enables homeowners to establish the value of their properties and access crucial financial services. For a once-off fee of ZAR 300, they not only gain recognition of their property’s worth but also the ability to secure formal insurance—protecting their most valuable asset. Our mission is to empower communities, safeguard legacies, and drive financial inclusion by ensuring that every home’s true value is recognised.”

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