EDITORS LETTER
Glass ceilings beware
To celebrate Women ’ s month , REI magazine is throwing the spotlight on a few remarkable women who have forged a successful career or their own business in South Africa ’ s property industry .
And although we are fortunate that we are spoilt for choice among a long list of successful and inspirational business women in this country , the sad reality is that the property industry is still largely a male dominated work environment .
Aside from the real estate sector - where we have had legendary businesswomen running our country ’ s largest estate agencies - there is a marked gender imbalance in almost all other sectors of the property industry . This is why we need to focus on women who are breaking glass ceilings in property development , REITs , construction , proptech and basically anything previously perceived to be a man ' s domain .
I like to think of myself as progressive when it comes to gender equality - pretty sure I would not be blessed with the amazing women in my life if I wasn ’ t . But recently I had an unpleasant conversation at a business event with a guy who had shockingly blatant misogynistic views on a woman ' s “ rightful place ” pregnant in the kitchen .
I should have asked what it is about his masculine fragility that can ' t understand that our economy cannot operate at even half its potential while there is gross gender imbalance in the workplace , but shamefully I walked away in silence . And that is my lesson to learn this Women ’ s month . Next time I must confront that toxic mindset if I want a fair and equitable society for my children to grow up in .
So , if my 13 year old daughter grows up and wants to be a real estate agent I would be thrilled , but I don ' t want her to feel that is the only option for her in this industry . Actually , I ’ m pretty confident that she wants to start her own business , and it ' s thanks to inspirational women such as the ones we have profiled that she and girls her age believe that gender is not an obstacle to reaching their dreams .
Best regards
DAYNE STERN HEAD OF CONTENT
There ' s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man ' s world . It takes a certain grace , strength , intelligence , fearlessness , and the nerve to never take no for an answer - Rihanna
SA Real Estate Investor Magazine AUGUST 2022 3