Gautengers lead the pack when it comes to splurging on prime beachfront real estate along the KwaZulu-Natal north coast. Estate agents, particularly in the seaside town of Ballito, are doing brisk business as Joburg businessmen snap up property in estates such as Zimbali and Simbithi.The hankering after an affluent coastal lifestyle has prompted the property boom in the region, with demand outweighing supply.Neil de Beer, Pam Golding's area manager in Ballito, said the north coast property market had performed "exceptionally well" since the beginning of the year, making it one of the most sought-after residential destinations in the country."The recent go-ahead by the KwaDukuza municipality for development of the ground-breaking R1.4-billion mega mall will further underpin the high investment appeal of the region," he said.Properties at Simbithi and Zimbali sell for between R3-million and R11-million, but the most recent sale, at Zimbali, realised R34-million.De Beer said 60% of his company's buyers are from Gauteng.Zimbali property specialist Vaughn Reiche said most buyers were from Gauteng and used their coastal property as a holiday home."There has been a gentle swing towards families living in Zimbali and the breadwinner commuting weekly to Gauteng for business."With the King Shaka International Airport being a mere 15 minutes from Zimbali, and the Gautrain being an easy commute for members of the Joburg-based business community, commuting is uncomplicated."Reiche said the greater Ballito area had become the second-highest growth node in the country...