South Africa’s Best Small Town of 2025 Announced

Key Takeaways

• The Daily Maverick crowned Barrydale as the best small town to live in after a thorough evaluation process
• The evaluation criteria included seven distinct categories: Cleanliness, Municipality, Community, Safety, Nature, Family, and Connectivity
• The "M-Factor" or "Maverick Gees" (spirit) was a key consideration in the judging process, which aimed to capture the unique energy and soul of each town
• Nine writers, one from each province, researched and visited the top small towns to determine the winner
• The winning town, Barrydale, was chosen for its exceptional characteristics, which made it stand out from other contenders

Introduction to the Evaluation Process
The process of selecting the best small town to live in began with 2,069 submissions from Daily Maverick readers. From there, nine writers, each representing a different province, took on the task of researching and narrowing down the list to the top five small towns per province. The writers then conducted a thorough evaluation of each town, taking into account various functional elements, as well as the "M-Factor" or "Maverick Gees" (spirit), which refers to the unique energy and character that defines a town’s soul. The evaluation criteria consisted of seven distinct categories, including Cleanliness, Municipality, Community, Safety, Nature, Family, and Connectivity.

The Judging Criteria and Process
The judging criteria were designed to assess the overall quality of life in each small town, with a strong emphasis on the "M-Factor". The writers evaluated each town based on its performance in the seven categories, which provided a comprehensive picture of the town’s strengths and weaknesses. After completing their research, each writer visited their provincial winner to gain first-hand experience and re-score the town accordingly. The nine writers then met to compare notes and discuss their findings, ultimately crowning Barrydale as the best Maverick Small Town to live in. The winning town was chosen for its exceptional characteristics, which set it apart from other contenders and made it an attractive place to live.

Profiles of the Top Small Towns
The evaluation process highlighted several small towns that stood out for their unique characteristics and attractions. For example, White River in Mpumalanga was praised for its high-quality features, such as good schools, nearby malls, and an airport, which combined with its close-knit village feel to make it an attractive place to live. Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape was noted for its unpretentious lifestyle, welcoming inhabitants, and strong sense of community, which made it a popular destination for surfers and non-surfers alike. Cullinan in Gauteng was recognized for its ability to pivot and reinvent itself, transforming from a diamond mining town to a hub for creatives. Other notable small towns included Clarens in the Free State, Bloemhof in the North West, Howick in KwaZulu-Natal, Hoedspruit in Limpopo, and Richmond in the Northern Cape, each with its own unique character and attractions.

The Winning Town: Barrydale
Barrydale, the winning town, was chosen for its exceptional characteristics, which made it stand out from other contenders. The town’s unique energy and spirit, as well as its strong performance in the seven evaluation categories, earned it the top spot. The writers were impressed by Barrydale’s cleanliness, effective municipality, strong sense of community, safety, natural beauty, family-friendly atmosphere, and connectivity. The town’s ability to balance its functional elements with its unique character and spirit made it an attractive place to live, and it was ultimately crowned the best Maverick Small Town to live in.

Conclusion and Reflection
The evaluation process and the selection of Barrydale as the best small town to live in highlight the importance of considering a range of factors when assessing the quality of life in a town. The "M-Factor" or "Maverick Gees" (spirit) played a significant role in the judging process, as it captured the unique energy and character of each town. The profiles of the top small towns demonstrate the diversity and individuality of each place, and the winning town, Barrydale, serves as a model for other small towns to strive for. The evaluation process and the selection of the best small town to live in provide valuable insights into what makes a town an attractive place to live, and the findings can be used to inform urban planning and development strategies.