2023’s graduate class of SAPOA’s Property Development Programme (PDP), in partnership with UCT GSB and FNB, recently celebrated at an intimate dinner held at The One & Only in Cape Town, sponsored by Growthpoint Properties.
Founded in 1971, the programme was designed to sharpen skills, broaden knowledge, and to inspire leadership with lecturers and industry experts having contributed their time over the years in various areas including property investment, development, marketing, and management.
Now in its 52nd year, 2023’s class boasted 46 property professionals in the programme’s second year of its new hybrid model post-Covid-19 and the first cohort, in the history of the PDP, with the most female representation.
“SAPOA is pleased that the PDP has developed over the years which is now recognised as a brand of its own in the commercial real estate industry,” remarked Kevin Roman, Chair of SAPOA’s Western Cape Chapter. “This confirms the programme’s quality and reaffirms its importance. Year after year, the PDP continues to attract outstanding disciplines from the industry, supporting the development of young professionals.”
Kevin Roman, Chair of SAPOA’s Western Cape Chapter.
For their final project, the students were split into four groups and tasked with an ambitious project to complete a strategic development vision (SDV) for a challenging site provided by the City of Cape Town. During the evening, the groups were awarded first prize (sponsored by Growthpoint Properties), second prize (sponsored by Triumphant Zoe) and third prize (sponsored by Bold Moves) for their submissions.
“Since its inception, fifty-four years ago, the Property Development Programme has grown its respective recognition as THE flagship programme for property professionals,” commented Henry Chitsulo, the PDP Course Convener, MD of Bold Moves, and a former student of the PDP in 1997.
“Everyone involved in this year’s PDP were acutely aware of its excellent reputation and they have gone above and beyond to uphold its standing. While tonight marks the end of this year’s programme, it is also a new beginning. Your experience has further equipped you as leaders and I challenge each of you to find ways to show your leadership in our built environment. I hope you leave this programme enriched with knowledge, insight, and a great appreciation for other disciplines, as well as the long-lasting bonds – and new relationships.”
Henry Chitsulo, PDP Course Convener and MD of Bold Moves.
Each year, the PDP also nominates and contributes to a charity of its choice. This year, Streetscapes was chosen – a programme that provides a model for sustainable urban regeneration and which addresses the needs of the homeless. Celebrating another first in the PDP’s history, an amount of more than R50 000 was raised in 2023 i.e., R99 000.
“The property sector is about healthy cities and healthy cities are about people,” commented Jessee Latinen, Streetscapes’ representative. “The number of people who are homeless in Cape Town is growing. We work to assist in getting them off the streets through housing, employment etc. We look at filtering people back into society to fix the issues that are more prevalent. We are grateful to the 2023 PDP class for their generous donation.”
“Being a part of this course means you have joined our community,” noted Professor Francois Viruly, Associate Professor in UCT’s Department of Construction Economics and Management and the PDP’s Judging Panel Chairperson. “With this course, we do not just repeat what is in the textbooks; we create knowledge which is important in which we have all played a role. There are some very wise words from the Eagles’ song ‘Hotel California’ – “You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave!”. You can check out this evening, but you will always remain a part of the PDP.”
Congratulations to 2023’s winning groups:
1st prize: Group 4
- Marilie Pretorius (Giflo Properties)
- Simphiwe Ndlovu (Gauteng Partnership Fund)
- Babatope Davies (Stanbic IBTC)
- Sindisiwe Mchunu (Transnet Ports Authority)
- Sumeeth Gujrajah (Fortress Real Estate Investments Limited)
- Gugu Zuma (eThekwini Municipality)
- Lerato Phetlho (Growthpoint Properties)
- Bivash Bhagwin (Nedbank)
2nd prize: Group 1
- Lizelle McLean (GASS Architects)
- Rashid Bulbulia (Growthpoint Properties)
- Yaadvee Caulleechurn (Bloomage Limited)
- Ashley Nyavira (ABSA)
- Mpumelelo Madi (PIC)
- Kelly Carmichael (Fortress Real Estate Investments Limited)
- Abram Mphye (Nedbank)
3rd prize: Group 2
- Estia Cronje (AECOM)
- Michael Dickinson (Rabie Property Group)
- Zoyi Mkhonto (ABSA)
- Lerato Litlhakanyane (Fortress Real Estate Investments Limited)
- Andisiwe Matubatuba (Mowana Properties)
- Nalanie Govender (SBSA)
- Anda Matwa (Redefine Properties)
- Thapelo Mokotedi (North West Development Corporation)
