The ultra-luxury residential estate home to the rich and famous in South Africa

Steyn City, a 2,000-acre luxury estate in Johannesburg, is the location of choice for South Africa’s rich and famous. 

The estate is named after the late Douw Steyn, an insurance magnate who passed away at the age of 72 in early 2025. 

Steyn founded Steyn Insurance Brokers in 1975, seeing a gap in the market for insurance that covered both cars and home contents. 

In 1985, he began a global first: selling motor insurance over the phone. He then launched Auto&General Insurance with this innovative model that allowed him to quickly rise to success. 

Following this, Steyn then went on to invest R6.5 billion in developing Steyn City, with a desire to create a multi-generational city-within-a-city. 

Steyn City opened to the public in 2015. An additional R5.5 billion was invested in 2019 to improve amenities and infrastructure. 

The estate features all forms of residences, from small, lock-up and go apartments to grandiose mansions. It even includes its own retirement home. 

The Steyn City School was developed to accommodate learners from early years all the way up to matric, teaching the IEB curriculum. 

Residents also have access to an 18-hole championship golf course and academy, as well as padel courts, restaurants, and a 300-metre lagoon with watersports. 

New World Health acknowledged the estate as one of the top ten residential lifestyle estates in the world. 

The estate is situated adjacent to the impoverished informal settlement of Diepsloot, and has drawn criticism from some, such as Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, who said it stands as a symbol of inequality. 

The estate’s most impressive mansions range from R60 to R150 million, according to recent listings, but the most expensive property is that of Douw Steyn himself.

Steyn’s mansion was the first to be built in the estate. The 3000 square metre palace, dubbed “Palazzo Steyn,” was valued at R250 million when it was built in 2014.

The mansion is inspired by classical Italian design, with marble floors and an aqueduct that surrounds the property. 

The rich and famous living in Steyn City

The security and convenience of the luxury estate, as well as its lavish properties, have attracted celebrities and billionaires to Steyn’s city within a city.

Chris Froome, four-time winner of the Tour de France, made Steyn City his second home in 2018. He said that the parks and selection of outdoor activities have been great for his son. 

Froome was attracted to the area for its nature and outdoor lifestyle. Having to spend nine months of every year in Monaco, which has few parks, lakes, or outdoor spaces, Froome said his family relishes the freedom of having nature on their doorstep. 

According to IOL, CEO of the Bivest Group, Mpumi Madisa, also lives within the estate. She said that it is a spectacular place to raise children, with acres for kids to play and ride bikes with neighbours. 

Her child attends Steyn City school. She said it is reassuring for her and her husband, who travel frequently, to know that he can take the school bus home, or walk or ride to school safely. 

Giuseppe Plumari, property developer of the estate and former CEO of Steyn City Properties, and all of his senior colleagues, call Steyn City home. 

The estate is also home to South African golfer Dylan Naidoo. He and his girlfriend live in an apartment in Steyn City and enjoy the convenience of the local gym, nearby eateries, and the security to stroll around the area. 

He also, unsurprisingly, spends much of his time at the Steyn City Golf Course. 

Pule Mabe, who served as the African National Congress (ANC) national spokesperson and is now facing a R27 million fraud and corruption charge, also owns property in the estate. 

Mabe’s Steyn City home is almost 1,400 square metres. Due to the corruption charges, Mabe is not permitted to sell, lease, transfer, or donate the property, as it may be linked to the case. 

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More photos of Steyn City