For Vishal and Rakhee Singh, what started as a dream 25 years ago has turned into a reality.
“Radius Point Investments is a dynamic commercial and residential development company that is the largest independent landowner in uMhlanga. The pride and joy of Radius Point is our first beautiful and exclusive development, Sera Bella, which is situated in the heart of Izinga, uMhlanga. Sera Bella consists of stunning architecturally designed contemporary villas, embracing a sense of space and elegance,” explains Rakhee Singh, who heads up the property development company along with her husband, Vishal.
Vishal and Rakhee Singh went from being high school sweethearts to perfect partners in life and business. This power couple is the brains behind Radius Point Investments.
Rakhee admits the couple’s entry into property development was probably “purely incidental” and the end result of a joint passion for property. Vishal is a mechanical engineering graduate from the Durban University of Technology while Rakhee is a pharmacist with an MBA.
Looking back, Vishal says his 25-year journey into property started with handing out pamphlets for uMhlanga Manors as a student and realising just what could be achieved. He began his career in the stationery industry, exiting a senior executive position at paper giant, SAPPI, to set up his own stationery manufacturing company, African Paper Products, in 2003.
Because the stationery business is seasonal, he focuses on this company during the busy build-up to the school year between September and March and then turns his attention to property for the remainder of the year.
His wife, who is responsible for marketing and advertising, keeps an eye on all “the finer details”. She also recently registered her own interior design business, The Glamour Room, after positive feedback from design projects at Sera Bella began drawing attention from as far afield as Johannesburg.
However, the couple’s heart has always been in uMhlanga. “We’ve always loved uMhlanga. After we married we settled here. This is home,” she says.
Rakhee recalls how the couple used to go for weekend drives looking at land and properties. An enquiry directed to Tongaat Hulett Properties resulted in an opportunity to purchase the land on which they developed Sera Bella.
Although they started with no property development or building experience, the couple has delivered an upmarket estate with 19 units which has represented an exciting learning curve for both of them.
Right now, Radius Point Investments is about to develop two properties within the Hawaan Estate, one in Cornubia and one in Glenashley as well as two further properties within Izinga Park. One – known as Izinga Park 3 – is a residential and commercial lifestyle estate that is expected to include a service station, grocery stores, a five-star boutique hotel as well as 60 luxurious apartments that have unlimited sea views and access to a 6 000m² clubhouse.
Already, the company employs over 500 people and continues to create job opportunities in all sectors.
“Radius Point Investments prides itself in constructing architecturally beautiful buildings with no compromise on aesthetics and finishes. We invest in high-end property in KwaZulu-Natal and believe the province offers tremendous growth opportunities. We prioritise supporting other KwaZulu-Natal businesses and spend millions of rands annually with businesses based in this province. We strongly believe that supporting local businesses will lead to a better and brighter future and will help attract further investment and create growth,” says Vishal.