Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa August 2015 | Page 42

MY STORY

Jade

Capital Partners
A jewel In the property Industry
BY MONIQUE TERRAZAS

I

n an industry where commercial property
ownership is dominated by institutions, listed
companies and government, there are few womenowned property companies. Yet, say the founders of
Jade Capital Partners (Pty) Limited, “the opportunities
abound”.
Zola Ntwasa is a founder and executive director of
Jade Capital Partners. She was previously a director in
the Real Estate Finance Division of Standard Bank,
heading up the New Business Team, where she was
a member of the Executive Committee and the Deal
Approval Committee. She serves as a non-executive
director on the board of Hospitality Property Fund.
“I chose a career in the property sector and
subsequently started my own property business because
I am passionate about the asset class and have an
ambition to make a greater impact in our society,” says
Zola. “My business partner and I were both fortunate
to have had great careers, exposure to successful and
influential business people and limited capital to start
our own business.”
Zola advises women to “define what success means
to you.” “There is plenty of scope for development and
career progression within the sector and a wide range
of career options,” notes Zola, “Strive for excellence
in your chosen field and deliver beyond expectations
to grow professionally and personally. This attitude, I
believe, typically separates achievers from the rest.”
Bukelwa Bulo has over 12 years of experience in
Investment Banking, having worked for 11 years in
the Private Equity Division of Investec Bank Limited,

40

AUGUST 2015 SA Real Estate Investor

and has experience in a wide spectrum of sectors. She
has served as a non-executive director on the boards
(and board committees) of a number of companies and
represented Investec Bank Limited as an observer on
the boards of various investment holding companies.
Bukelwa is also a non-executive director on the boards
of Unispan Holdings (Pty) Ltd, as well as Franki
Geotechnical (Pty) Ltd, and is a member of the
Women’s Property Network in Gauteng.

“My business partner and I
were both fortunate to have
had great careers.”
Bukelwa says that investing in Jade Capital Partners
is the best, and yet the most challenging, career decision
she has made. “Fortunately I have a solid support
structure in my family, former colleagues, friends and
business partner.”
The legacy Bukelwa wishes to leave is one of better
access to education for the underprivileged. She already
sponsors a number of children from underprivileged
backgrounds to attend better schools. “I am passionate
about education,” says Bukelwa. “I believe it is the only
truly sustainable way of empowering people at a grass
roots level for generations to come. I mentor, in my
private capacity, young adults from all walks of life who
need career guidance and advice.”
www.reimag.co.za