The economic participation of women in the property sector is of vital importance and the WPN has demonstrated its commitment not only in driving the inclusion of women in the sector but also recognising the progress that women have made in the diverse role they play. The subject of gender diversity is a worldwide challenge but significant strides are being made in various industries.  

“Women still endure hardships and discrimination in corporate boardrooms of property companies. We must work together as an industry to accelerate the change needed to increase the number of women in leadership roles, and encourage the growth and development of future female leaders in the property. According to this year’s report released by Property Sector Charter Council (PSCC), it has shown that the rate of women participation in the sector is low,” says the MD of AZZARO and Chairperson of WPN, Sandi Mbatuma.

 The South African Women in Property awards honour women’s leadership and talent in the property sector. They are aimed at inspiring women, to ensure growth in women participation and transformation in the sector.

“Airports Company is very proud of our continued relationship and involvement with WPN and SAWIPA. We know that the property sector is dynamic, evolving and economically impactful, but still very much untransformed from both a race and gender perspective. We, therefore, need to invest in generating long-term value for the industry, ensuring that we attract, keep and recognise highly impactful, skilled and motivated women, so that the change we talk of and want to see is effective and sustainable.” says ACSA’s Senior Manager Infrastructure and Property Development, Zinhle Ntanzi.  

The Western Cape Region 4th SAWIPA winners are:

Young Achiever category - Maryke Hennig, Associate, Smith Tabata Buchanan Boyes

Business Woman of the Year category - Sibongile Booi, Managing Director, Second Office

Professional of the Year in the Private Sector category - Chloe Merrington, Senior Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright

Professional of the Year in the Public Sector category - Gisela Kaiser, Executive Director, City of Cape Town

Winners of all the regions will by default be entered into the national awards, which will take place in October 2018.  The national awards and gala dinner is a platform the WPN uses to raise bursary funds for previously disadvantaged young women embarking on property related studies. Furthermore, WPN recently awarded over R1.5 million towards their bursary initiative.

The judges of the Western Cape Region awards were:

• Liezel Conradie, Regional Director of the Western and Eastern Cape Region for JHI Properties (Pty),
• Dorah Modise, CEO of the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA)
• Nonhlanhla Mayisela, CEO of Izandla Property Fund.