ENTER BY 30 APRIL 2018
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT
Q: What would you say to those who doubt whether or not to invest in local real estate at the moment
A: South Africans are always optimistic and hoping for good news. I think the recent announcement of a new president for the leading party means that the country is positive that there will be an end to the corruption desecrating our economy. I think we will be able to build investor confidence and create new employment opportunities. Ultimately, this will regenerate our economy. We’ ve already seen this reflected in the upturn of sales we’ ve enjoyed since the end of December.
The future of this country is bright. Over the next year, I anticipate incredible growth. I’ m confident that our new leader recognises the mistakes of the past and I believe that we will achieve greatness if we stand together. Real estate will be extremely bullish, but we have to choose the high road. We have a lot of catching up to do if we are able to treble the housing footprint over the next year.
Over the years, he continues to purchase land on deed of sale, always based around major arterial routes:“ I realised that these areas had the potential to become future development nodes.” This, incidentally, was how he came to purchase some of the land that eventually became Steyn City. Perhaps serendipitously, Plumari meets Douw Steyn in 1987:“ We met at a braai and swiftly established a business relationship. This has developed over the decades to become a friendship. We worked on a number of projects prior to Steyn City. I also built his home.” The duo spent eight years planning and conceptualising Steyn City. Other notable developments under Plumari’ s name is the Saxon Hotel & Villas, Shambala Game Reserve, and The Vaal River City.
Businessman of the Year
Towards the end of last year, Plumari was named the Business Person of the Year at the 2017 Nedbank Business Excellence Awards, hosted by the Italian-South African Chamber of Commerce and Business.“ It was a tremendous honour, not only because it recognises my efforts and contributions to the South African economy, but because it’ s also an endorsement from the country of my birth,” he explains.
Speaking about having met Madiba on several occasions through his friendship with Douw Steyn, Plumari is clear:“ He is, without a doubt, the person I admire most. His ability and willingness to forgive, and his determination to do what was right, will always inspire me.” It’ s clear that this is something that drives him in all his business ventures today.
Plumari is a busy man, but where would he like to see himself in 10 years?“ I’ d like to be doing the same thing as I’ m doing now … creativity. Creativity is my passion, not my work. I’ d like to be doing the same thing as now, but in a more relaxed fashion.” Already, his adult children are following in their father’ s footsteps. Back at Ukuphila, they are the ones managing the reserve:“ They’ re ensuring my vision comes to life. They direct operations and handle the commercial elements of the reserve.”
Wrapping it up, Plumari states simply:“ Stand together and hold hands towards our future. Don’ t highlight and pick on each other’ s differences. Embrace them.”
2 nd ANNUAL INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
AWARD 2017 / 18
INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
AWARD
ENTER & WIN
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Do you think you have what it takes to be the 2017 / 18 Real Estate Investor of the year?
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SA Real Estate Investor Magazine FEBRUARY 2018 9