Wharf restaurant, an invitation to an event that’s open to
all, items for sale, etc.), and one for the serious issues of
estate information (water management, electricity shut-
downs, refuse collection, and so on).
But, said Johan, the longer-term, more permanent solution
will happen – and has begun to happen – organically. It will
become embedded in the lifestyle of the estate as the sense
of community becomes established and grows.
Generating this sense of community is important, too,
because of the changing demographic of the residents,
a number of whom have established their families here,
but continue to commute to the larger centres for work
during the week.
ESTATE MANAGER
‘There’s one major factor that’ll determine whether an estate like Marina
‘It’s mostly the husbands who work away, and the wives Martinique will succeed, though,’ said Johan, ‘and that’s the character of its
and children who remain behind, and it’s very important estate manager.
for the people who leave to know that they’re leaving their
families in a safe, nurturing, protective environment – that ‘We need someone,’ he continued, ‘who’s totally involved and totally dedicated
they aren’t isolated, and that the community will have – it’s certainly not a typical nine-to-five job; someone who can learn at a fast
rate, and not be scared to roll up their sleeves; someone who can deal with
a variety of situations – often at the same time – and who isn’t intimidated
by difficulties; someone who knows and understands finance and financial
management.
‘And,’ he adds, ‘someone who has the backing of a strong and capable board
of directors.’
The challenges here, though, are that such people are rare indeed – although
Marina Martinique’s current estate manager, Vernon Heunis, certainly fits the
bill – and also that they’re difficult to replace. There needs to be at least one
their backs whenever they need it.’ This, said Johan, is the
understudy waiting in the wings.
essence of community.
‘It’s actually all about risk assessment,’ said Johan. ‘When you identify the risks,
But the big question remains: how to draw everyone in, you pay attention to them, and our solution to ensuring a smooth succession
and support them. in the longer term – while remaining sensitive to the person in the job – is
LIFESTYLE COMMITTEE
to employ financial, technical, and admin managers whom he can train, and
who can capture our practices, policies and procedures, both as a record of
The estate’s solution began with the creation of a nine- Vernon’s institutional knowledge, and in order to fulfil our fiduciary and other
member lifestyle committee headed up by a member of responsibilities.’
the board of the HOA. Although this committee (which was
founded only this year) has no voting rights on the HOA, it In the end, of course, every estate’s success will always revolve around its
works closely with the board through the various portfolio ability to create a sense of community – and for developments like Marina
subcommittees that it has established – subcommittees Martinique, which are attractive to residents and visitors alike, the ultimate
that attend to the social life of the estate, the management test will always be how warmly it’s able to welcome its visitors, without making
of estate infrastructure (from ‘smaller’ issues, like the its residents feel intruded upon.
positioning of street signs, to the macro issues of the
estate’s environmental policy), the provision of amenities, ‘But it’s always about the sense of belonging,’ said Johan. ‘Which is why Marina
and, of course, internal communications. Martinique’s slogan is “My marina, My home, My lifestyle”.’
‘Amenities is an interesting one, because the residents have
begun to show a definite appetite for the establishment
. . .
of a clubhouse, which is also an indication to us that the
work of the lifestyle committee has begun to pay dividends,’
said Johan.
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INDUSTRY JOURNAL