PROPERTY NETWORKING
Transforming South Africa’ s Property Sector- from the Youth Up
BY KHENSANI DE KLERK
The Youth in Property Association( YIPA) is an NPO that was established in 2016 by a group of young, relentlessly and passionate individuals who have all graduated with degrees in the Built Environment. YIPA was conceived by Monedi Lefakane( Chairperson) Toza Macozoma( Vice Chairperson), Khensani de Klerk( Marketing Director), Imran Mohammed( Treasurer), Curtis Rooibaatjie( Secretary General), and Priscilla Nthai( Director), in response to an extremely untransformed property sector and the realization of the unequal concentration of capital in Post-Apartheid South Africa. Steven Fine recently joined YIPA as Corporate Relations Director under its shared vision of a mutual trajectory of transformation for South Africa
YIPA’ s transformation aims The organisation aims to do two simple things: empower the youth in the property sector and aid in transforming the South African industry as a whole. YIPA is comprised of five initiatives that will allow for the actualization of its aims, namely, Employment, Network, Entrepreneurship, Investment and Enterprise Development.
“ The establishment of YIPA aims to provide opportunities and a platform for youth, from all fields, who are interested in playing a more significant role in the property sector ‒ not only as employees but also as investors and entrepreneurs,” said Nthai.
“ As high-level, skilled graduates, this inclusion will lay the foundation for us to apply our skills, through understudying senior management, where we eventually can lead sustainable, owned and managed property companies that we would be directly invested in. Our participation will also contribute towards the realization of racial transformation of a sector that has been very challenging to penetrate, due to its capitalintensive nature and high barriers to entry,” added Nthai.
The property sector’ s response to date“ Thus far, YIPA has had nothing but positive support from our partners, supporting bodies and our member
base, which currently sits at 361 members,” says Lefakane.
YIPA hosted its official launch event on 23rd March this year at the University of Cape Town. The launch was attended by the Honourable Deputy Minister of Public Works( DPW), Jeremy Cronin. Cronin presented the keynote address, along with CEO of the Delta Property Fund, Sandile Nomvete. Attendees included Property Management Trading Entity CEO, Paul Serote, and the Managing Executive of Nedbank Corporate Property Finance, Robin Lockhart-Ross.
We intend for YIPA to live beyond our lives, for the better of our tainted country.
Cronin commended YIPA on their drive towards transformation:“ Congratulations on launching something as bold as this. I’ m inspired by what I see here today. As a department, we really look forward to engaging with YIPA as a new partner. YIPA is what South Africa needs, it is what the DPW needs and we look forward to an ongoing relationship with you.”
Since then YIPA has provided its members with access to events ripe with opportunities, one being the recent Property Buyers Show at the CTICC in Cape Town. It has also recently partnered with South African Property Investor Network( SAPIN) to broaden the range of opportunities, through combined resources, for YIPA members.
How to get involved“ Those interested in becoming members must be between the age of 18-35 and can sign up on our website. Corporates and various organisations who are interested in potential joint endeavors through partnership, or that simply want to contribute resources to help drive YIPA, can also find our support tab on the website,” says Macozoma.
RESOURCES
Youth in Property Association
28 JUNE 2017 SA Real Estate Investor www. reimag. co. za