Corporate world and the call to Purpose
Patricia spent over 18 years in the corporate sector , gaining invaluable experience yet feeling unfulfilled . The turning point came after the 2015-2016 # FeesMustFall protests , which exposed her to the severe shortage of student accommodation in South Africa . Having faced similar challenges during her university years , she felt compelled to make a difference .
“ I woke up one day and knew it was time to leave corporate life ,” she recalls . Fuelled by a desire to create safe , affordable housing for students , she enrolled at the University of Cape Town to study property development and management . This decision laid the foundation for her future endeavours .
The Birth of BoNo Property Investment
In 2017 , Patricia and her husband established BoNo Property Investment ( Pty ) Ltd , a company focused on affordable housing and student accommodation . They started modestly , purchasing houses near universities and converting them into student residences . “ We wanted to learn the ropes before scaling up ,” Patricia explains .
Their brand , OpaL Students , quickly gained recognition , managing 645 student beds with a property portfolio valued at R100 million . Patricia ’ s vision for the company is ambitious : by 2030 , she aims to expand the portfolio to R400 million , encompassing 2,000 student beds .
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