Mphahlele, whose organisation kicks off its annual convention and property exhibition at Sun City today , is pleased with Sapoa's progress this year.

The industry was largely unchanged when he was elected a year ago.

The first step was to appoint a senior black director to the association's secretariat. Hazzy Sibanyoni was appointed operations director.

A transformation strategy working document has since been approved by Sapoa's national council.

It spells out what the industry needs to do to transform itself, dealing with issues like training, black shareholding, the appointment of black directors and executives, and corporate social investment recommendations.

In Sapoa's annual report, Mphahlele says implementation of transformation measures has begun.

He says he feels it is important to fasttrack black ownership of property and to get black industry players to participate in Sapoa.

"That can be done through shareholding within a company, where they are offered an opportunity to acquire shares in property companies," he says.

"Once you're an owner of property you can decide who you appoint as service providers and contractors to service the property."

Training programmes will provide a pool of candidates who can be employed when vacancies arise, he says.

He also recommends that companies adopt corporate social investment programmes that reinvest in communities.

Business Day