Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa August/September 2019 | Page 15

LEAH KNOTT
court orders issued over the previous terms. Investment
Desk – a prioritisation desk for investors in partnership with
Development Planning which will enhance dealings with the
City and streamline processes so as to facilitate investment
without unnecessary bureaucracy holding back growth,” Knott
said. regeneration of the property concerned which included
feasibility studies and financing where required.”
The MMC believes that government can never solely
succeed in revitalising Johannesburg and that the secret
to a successful investment climate is strong public private
partnerships.
Future of the property industry “A government wanting to entice investment to its
doorstep needs to ensure that its economic environment
is conducive through strong relationships, safe spaces and
the ease of doing business with a City’s administration,”
said Knott
The City has identified around 500 buildings, both
privately and City owned to be released for the private
sector investment. This includes identifying abandoned
and derelict properties which the City is in the process
of obtaining for private sector release via a willing buyer,
willing seller basis or as a last resort via expropriation in
line with the Constitution.
The City has already vastly increased investment into
the area over the last three financial years to over R16
billion in the 2018/19 year which is outside of the inner
city property release programme. This proves private
investor confidence has steadily risen over the last few
years.
What makes a great property investment?
Knott believes that buy in from the public and proper
support for the government as well as realistic
expectations makes a great property investment.
“Converting a derelict property miles from commercial
hubs into social housing, for example; achieves nothing
except placing people further away from opportunities.
Proper precinct planning and a land strategy from the
side of the City greatly assists in achieving investment
goals,” said Knott
Knott says that in terms of the inner city property
releases, investors were selected based on specific criteria.
“..investors were selected based on their proposals for the
“A government wanting to entice
investment to its doorstep needs
to ensure that its economic
environment is conducive through
strong relationships, safe spaces
and the ease of doing business with
a City’s administration.”
The City has adjusted its capex and opex budgets to
strongly support such an environment by increasing the
percentages allocated to repairs and maintenance, budget
allocations towards road and bridge infrastructure, green
spaces, enhanced clinics and more.
Life philosophy
Knott shares her life philosophy, “Never be afraid to stand
up for what you believe in and do what is right but at
the same time the sign of a true leader is one who is
able to admit their mistakes, rectify them and move
forward. Respect comes from mutual trust,truth and
understanding not false promises and obfuscation.”
tv
Don’t miss Neale Petersen’s exclusive interview on REItv with
LEAH KNOTT, MMC for Economic Development at City of Johannesburg.
SA Real Estate Investor Magazine AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019
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