NOMZAMO RADEBE
NOMZAMO RADEBE
Nomzamo Radebe is the CEO of JHI, one of South Africa’ s leading property services companies. She took the reins as the business’ CEO in 2014 and has since doubled its revenue and the size of its portfolios under management.
She is the current president of the South African Property Association( SAPOA) and is immediate past president of the South African Council of Shopping Centres( SACSC). She is also a seasoned director, a board member of several strategic entities and a mom.
Nomzamo’ s involvement in property began in early 2006, when she joined Pareto as its CFO. She later transitioned to become the company’ s Chief Investment Officer, a position she filled until her move to JHI at the end of 2013.
As a qualified CA, she holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting, a Property Development Programme Certificate from UCT’ s Graduate School of Business and a Certificate for Commercial Property Practitioners from the University of Pretoria. Her roots, however, are from more modest beginnings.
Nomzamo was born in Bethlehem in the Free State and grew up in Esikhawini, a township in Northern KwaZulu Natal. Her hardworking parents ‒ both teachers ‒ ensured that she and her older brother received the best education and exposure they could facilitate. Her father unfortunately passed away when she was 12 years old ‒ a great loss for her tight-knit family.
It was in grade 11 that Radebe decided to follow the charted accountancy profession, which she feels has provided her with an excellent technical base on which to build her career over the years.
Despite her numerous achievements, with becoming the CEO of JHI at the age of 36 on the top of her list, Radebe does not yet consider herself to be a success:
“ I am proud of the noted achievements I’ ve had in my life and career and am grateful for them. I do not consider myself a success in the bigger scheme, however. This is mainly because, when you are doing what you are passionate about, each achievement recorded is never a success for yourself but a contribution towards progressive change within a larger arena ‒ in my case, the property industry. Perhaps one day, when I am considered a‘ guru’ in my field, I may change my mind.
What is your life philosophy? Giving respect to others and humility rank high on my list daily. Honest, hard work never hurt anyone and should be encouraged. Constantly evolve and innovate to remain relevant.
What are some insights and lessons you have gained over the course of your career?
It’ s important to have a game plan and execute this in a focused fashion. Driving high performance from teams is a skill not to be taken lightly, and the biggest room available in life is one of improvement. Always be open to learning and appreciate the unmistakeable power of teamwork.
www. reimag. co. za FEBRUARY 2017 SA Real Estate Investor 7