In addition, the finalists for the newly introduced WPN Rising Star Award, also sponsored by Nedbank Corporate Property Finance, have been selected.

The finalists for the 5 Star Woman Award 2009 are Patricia Emmett, founding director of Emmett Architects; Sanett Uys, Director of Group Corporate Affairs for Colliers International; Christa Bonnet, PPP (Public Private Partnership) Business Manager for Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investments (OMIGPI) and Nomzamo Radebe, Acting Managing Director at Pareto Limited.

The 5 Star Woman Award seeks to recognise an exceptional woman within the commercial property sector who epitomises the following attributes; possesses specialist knowledge in her field, has an established and extensive network, is recognised and respected by her peers, is ethical and trustworthy and empowers women in the industry.

This year sees the introduction of the Rising Star Award, largely due to the number of exceptional women in the industry who are up-and-coming stars and worthy of recognition.  This award recognises a rising star within the commercial property sector who possesses specialist knowledge in her field, is working on establishing a network, is respected by her peers and seniors, is ethical and trustworthy and aspires to empower women in the industry.

The inaugural finalists for this award are Sakina Nosarka, Asset Manager on the Triangle Real Estate Development Fund at Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investments (OMIGPI); Nonkululeko Ntshona, Managing Director of Nonku Nthsona & Associates; Nozipho Maila, Operations Manager of the Property Investment Division of the PIC; and Saloshini Gounder, Property & Development Manager at Massdiscounters.

The judges of this year’s awards are Amelia Beattie, Chief Operating Officer of Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investments (OMIGPI); Marna van der Walt, Chief Executive Officer of JHI; Kevin Roman, Group Chief Executive Officer of Hermans & Roman; TC Chetty, Managing Director of TC Chetty & Associates; Ben Kodisang, Managing Director of OMIGPI; and Ipeleng Mkhari, Chief Operations Officer of Motseng Investment Holdings.

Amelia Beattie, winner of the 2008 Five Star Woman Award and WPN Awards committee chairman says, “The introduction of the Rising Star award brings a new dimension to the awards and we hope to give confidence to a pool of quality women that could become tomorrow’s Five Star Woman. The quality of the inaugural Rising Star entries was exceptional and we were enthused by these young women and how passionate they are in making the most of every opportunity they are presented with. This year saw an increase in entries in the Five Star Woman category as well – these women are all winners in their own right and they inspired us with their insight and impact on the industry, in particular in empowering other women. ”