FAQ

Questions

What is Timeshare?

Timeshare is shared holiday ownership with flexibility! Timeshare enables you to buy a share in a Share Block Company that leases or owns a resort property. This ownership gives you the right to occupy a specific room or chalet for one or more weeks each year. You specify the time of year and you also have full access to all the amenities and service facilities offered at the resort you have chosen and own.

Essentially, timeshare enables you to secure your future holidays at excellent value.

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Do I have to spend my holiday in the same place and at the same time every year?

Not unless you choose to do so - and you probably won't once you discover how many exciting holiday options await you. Our exchange plan allows you to swop the holiday period you bought for another period at another Resort on a like-for-like basis. To keep the exchange equitable, the weeks of the year have been divided into Seasons, according to demand. Each Season is given a colour coding on the RCI chart: Peak for periods of high demand; Red for periods of average demand and White for periods of lower demand. Using this time division, you can see at a glance which weeks fall into the same category as those you own; you may then request your exchange holiday at a period falling within the same colour band as your own or within any band lower than your own. Fair Exchange also takes note of the number of people each room, suite or chalet accommodates. Here again, your request may be for a unit, which is equal or smaller in size to the timeshare you own. In addition your automatic RCI/SunSwop membership allocates you points (trading power) based on the size and facilities of your week, which is then used as your currency to exchange – please consult RCI for more information.

The introduction of 'Trading Power' now enables timesharers to exchange on a daily or split week basis, with added advantage of being able to trade across seasons, and unit size!

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What is Sunswop and how does it benefit me?

Sunswop is an exclusive, private exchange facility developed by Southern Sun and RCI. All Southern Sun timeshare owners gain automatic membership to Sunswop and are in the best position to take advantage of our preferential exchange opportunities. As a Sunswop member, you are entitled to request exchanges either in Southern Africa or Overseas, from a choice of over 3700 affiliated resorts worldwide!

Remember, Sunswop is the name that opens the door to any holiday you care to choose.

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How do I set about swopping my holiday?

Quite easily. All you have to remember is that you have two options to consider: (a) the traditional week-for-week exchange; and (b) the special advantages of points exchange. The traditional "week-for-week" exchange is exactly what it says it is - a week you own swopped for another week in the Sunswop system, on a like-for-like basis, in accordance with our Fair Exchange policy. "RCI points" is an arrangement that offers you maximum flexibility, allowing you to plan a tailor-made holiday and to swop the week you own for split weeks, an extended week, or even days. Thus, you make the most of your timeshare ownership, even trading across seasonal and occupancy limitations. The steps you need to follow to request your exchange are outlined in the RCI “How To Go” Guide, a copy of which is posted to every Southern Sun timeshare owner.  If, for any reason, you don't have one, let us know and the Sunswop office will mail a copy to you.

In fact, the cardinal rule to remember is: Call Sunswop before you do anything else. The staff are all experienced personnel and efficient at handling all timeshare queries. You will receive personal attention, from the first call you make to place your week in the Spacebank with RCI/Sunswop, to the final confirmation of your exchange request. It is only at this point that an exchange fee is payable for your transaction.

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What other options do I have?

If you are unable to use your week, you may accrue Spacebanked weeks for a maximum period of three years, enabling you to enjoy a future extended holiday. For ultimate flexibility, you may even borrow time from the year ahead. If you choose to accrue and/or borrow time, call Sunswop to make the necessary arrangements on your behalf. Another option is to place your week in the Resort Rental Pool. The Resort itself controls the Rental Pool and helps you to rent out your period at the current hotel rates to casual guests. If you choose this option, you should notify the Southern Sun Central Administration Office in Umhlanga, in writing, at least 90 days before the start of the week you own. Kindly note that the Resort does charge a nominal administration fee for this service.

You may also give your week to a friend or rent it out privately. In this case, kindly notify the Central Administration Office in writing with the name, address and telephone number of the people to whom you have given or rented your accommodation. Alternatively this can be done on line. The people with whom you have made this arrangement are also required to present a letter of authorisation from yourself upon arrival at the Resort.

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What guarantee do I have that my Timeshare ownership is secure?

Your Share Block Company is run by a Board of Directors elected by your fellow shareholders.  Directors are bound by the Companies Act and Share Blocks Control Act to report to the shareholders every year.  In addition the company is audited annually by one of the “Big 4” auditing firms and managed by the Southern Sun Group, who have many years of experience as pioneers of the South African Timeshare Industry.

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What do I need to know about levies?

Levies are raised to cover the operating costs of your resort and to maintain and protect the assets of shareholders. We spend them on exactly the same day-to-day maintenance and improvement projects that you would undertake to protect the value of your own home. We also try to build up a replacement reserve (of cash), to ensure that we not only maintain the standards of quality, luxury, amenities and service but to improve them in the long run.   Directors approve the levies on an annual basis for each Share Block Company  Shareholders receive a copy of the Annual Financial Statements of the Company each year, which reflects the financial situation of the Company. 

You must pay your levy once a year for each unit you own, regardless of whether you have Spacebanked your unit for accrual or exchange, placed it in the Resort rental pool or entered into a private arrangement. Your levy statement will be mailed to you five months before the beginning of the period you own and the amount should be paid three months before occupation.

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Which Resorts are under the "Southern Sun Timeshare Resorts" Umbrella?

Some of the most desirable vacation spots in the country, offering a variety of exciting holiday options. They include Pine Lake Country Estate and Sabie River Sun in Mpumalanga, Drakensberg Sun, the spectacular Beacon Island at Plettenberg Bay, and the two seaside resorts in Umhlanga Cabana Beach, and the Umhlanga Sands.

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