If you’re travelling along Cape Road, past the William Moffett Expressway and beyond the main business areas, you’ll find the well-established family suburb of Westering, which is also home to Olympic athlete Luvo Manyonga.
Luvo, who specialises in the long jump, had his first international success at the 2009 African Junior Athletics Championships in Mauritius and walked away with a bronze medal.
He was the African Games champion in 2011 and runner-up at the 2016 African Championships in Athletics. Luvo  also represented South Africa at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, placing fifth.
He was world junior champion in 2010, and world champion in 2017. In the 2018 Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia, he won the men’s long jump title. However, his proudest achievement must surely be having secured a silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The Port Elizabeth-based athlete has overcome incredible odds in his journey to the top, having previously been a tik addict whose personal journey to health and sporting excellence has been an inspiration to many young people.
Home sweet homeWestering is primarily a residential suburb, with schools and some convenient stores scattered among the homes. Families and retirees alike have made Westering their home, and the vibe throughout this area is one of peace and tranquility. According to Luvo, there’s a great vibe in Westering.
“The area is filled with young professionals and families moving into the area. It makes the place quiet but with a subtle buzz,” he says.He chose Westering because of its location. It’s positioned on Cape Road which means that, while it appears quietly nestled and a little hidden away, it’s actually very close to major shopping complexes,entertainment facilities and eateries.
“Greenacres Shopping Centre is about 10 minutes’ drive away, while the Makro complex, with its many other stores and coffee shops, is nearby as well,” he says.
“I was looking for a neighbourhood that was central and close to all the amenities that I needed for gym and track. Westering is very close to all this and that was the big draw card.”
The size of the properties, as well as the ease of commuting, are other factors which make Westering ideal for Luvo. “The roadworks on Cape Road are now completed and makes the morning rush not such a rush anymore,” he adds jokingly.
“I would certainly recommend the area. The houses are still solid and can be modified and upgraded to your needs. The size of the erfs versus the rand, the ability to easily renovate your property, and the fact that there’s always a market to resell, make this a great area to invest in. The shops and stores are also family-oriented and all you need is right there.”
Gems in the neighbourhoodOne great insider tip from the locals is that you can easily reach the popular Sunridge Village shopping centre nearby by simply using Westering’s two pedestrian footbridges.
It’s an easy walk or you could go by bicycle – and it certainly beats pulling out the car to take the longer, roundabout route! Sunridge Village is well supported by Westering  residents as it has a quaint community feel, offering small boutique shops including a pet shop, spice shop, Postnet, hairdresser, florist and an assortment of restaurants, among other little businesses.
However, for Luvo the real gem in the area has to be Westering Primary School.
“They do a lot for the kids and deliver quality learning,” he says.
“I could spend hours just chilling, braaing and absorbing the quietness of the area,” he says.
Perfect SundayLuvo’s backyard is one of his favourite things about his home.
So it’s not surprising that a perfect Sunday for him would include a braai.
“My perfect Sunday would be going to church at Father’s House and then coming home to make a fire, play soulful music and braai the entire afternoon,” he adds.
EAT:
• Sunridge Village has Cafe Capellini as well as San Fernando's Grillhouse &  Woodfired Pizzeria, which are both family friendly and have play areas for the kids.
• Baywest isn't too far away and its food court caters to all tastes and cuisines.
• Driving along Cape Road you’ll find many sit-down and takeaway eateries including Nandos, KFC,Burger King, Grillers and many more.
SHOP:There are no shopping centres in the area itself, but a short commute will take you to Makro, Baywest, Sunridge Village and more. The location of the area makes it very convenient to meet any shopping requirements, from chain stores to speciality stores.
SEE:
• Westering is well-connected to the rest of Port Elizabeth via a network of nearby highways.
• The James Kleynhans municipal pool in Van Riebeeck Street is always popular during summer time and many families also enjoy the braai areas and other facilities there.
• Westering has several public parks which are always popular for walking the dogs, and informal soccer and cricket games. 
First-time homebuyersWe asked the experts what the top pitfalls are forfirst-time homebuyers and how to avoid them
It should be a really exciting time! Your first home, or at least, first purchase, but there are mistakes to be made which, with prior knowledge, can be easily avoided.
Financial readiness
When you apply for a home loan, there are certain things which need to be taken into consideration. Chris Tyson, managing director, Tyson Properties, believes the biggest mistake made is not pre-qualifying yourself with a bank, prior to finding the right property.
“Often a first-time homebuyer will try to purchase a property they can’t afford and end up disappointed when their home loan application is declined. This is mainly because other costs related to running a home haven’t been taken into consideration, such as rates and maintenance.”
Richard Gray, CEO, Harcourts SA, concurs, “Your monthly calculations need to be accurate, and they must accommodate budgetary fluctuations. We often find first-time buyers over-extend on affordability and, in the end, lose a home they have sacrificed so much for.”
Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive,Pam Golding Property group, suggests first-time homebuyers obtain prequalification from a financial institution or mortgage originator such as ooba. It can be done online in a few minutes.
“This ensures you are looking for a property in the right price range and not setting yourself up for disappointment if you see the house of your dreams and are unable to afford a large enough bond.”
Hidden costs?
Not really hidden, but some you may not know about, and others may be forgotten in the excitement of purchasing the property.
Golding says, “Consider all the financial implications of buying and owning a home. There are the initial costs of transfer duty and legal fees as well as factors like connecting your electricity, the cost of the move, and monies that need to be spent on the house such as curtains. Then there are the usual costs, as well as budgeting for maintenance.”
Regional insightGray believes it’s imperative that first-time buyers make use of technology to gain a deeper understanding of the regions in which they wish to purchase.
“Property portals, print media and other resources give great insight into the property market from a regional perspective. Take a look and gauge your requirements against the market average.”
Think long-termProperty isn’t a short-term purchase or investment. Golding suggests you ensure that the property caters for your longer-term needs.
“It is always advisable to buy the ‘cheapest’ house in the best area you can afford, as the cost of moving is high. Transfer duty and agent’s fees are sunk costs and eat into any capital gain you make with the sale of your property. If you intend having a family, be sure to choose the area zoned for the schools you want your children to attend and be aware of the cost of travelling to work, including both petrol and time.
Partnering with a local expert
As a first-time buyer, it’s ideal to have somebody to rely on. Gray suggests you partner with somebody who really knows the area and the industry,
“Your local real estate expert with an extensive footprint in your target areas, will have an in-depth understanding of your main challenges and queries. I suggest you play open cards and build a relationship with the agent, and that way, avoid some of the major hurdles.”