These awards recognize women who have excelled in the sector during the course of the past year. Over 250 guests from the property industry celebrated the winners.  Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) proudly sponsored the event, whilst the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) sponsored the awards.

Sandi Mbutuma, the Women’s Property Network (WPN) Chairwoman, says that not only is the WPN recognizing great women who have gone beyond the call of duty, but the organisation has also been able to raise funds for the WPN Educational Trust which provides bursaries to female students in tertiary environments pursuing property related degrees.

“The SA Women in Property Awards is a collaborative platform dedicated to recognising outstanding leadership, inspiration, vision, and innovation in organisations that have stepped up and shaped women’s roles within the private and public sectors. The awards categories reflect a wide spectrum of work these deserving women from the public and private sectors are involved in.  This includes CEO’s, executives and leaders in corporate South Africa, SMME’s, government departments and agencies, as well as entrepreneurs,” says Mbutuma.

The following nominees were recognized in their respective award categories:

YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD (under 35 years old)

Gauteng: Vere Shaba, Director Green Building and Certifications, Shaba and Ramplin

Western Cape: Gemma Moore, Director, De Leeuw Valuers

KZN: Nicole Richards, Director FWJK architects

The winner in this category was Vere Shaba.

BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR: ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

Gauteng:  Rirhandzu Letty Ngobeni, Founder & CEO, Integrico

Western Cape: Xoliswa Daku, CEO, Daku Group of Companies

The national category winner was Xoliswa Daku

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR: CORPORATE / PRIVATE SECTOR AWARD

Gauteng: Madeleine Truter, Legal Advisor, Setso Asset Managers

Western Cape:  Joan Solms, Chief Operating Officer, Ingenuity Property Investments

KZN: Subashnee Moodley, Managing Director, Livingston Leandy

The nominations in this category were cause for much healthy debate amongst the judges, as the women nominated were all strong candidates from varied backgrounds that have made a contribution to the industry.  The final consensus was that Joan Solms of Ingenuity Property Investments be recognized as the winner.

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR: PUBLIC SECTOR AWARD

KZN: Roshinee Naidoo, Municipal Finance Directorate KZN Cogta and Logashri Sewnarain, Regional Manager, Eastern Region, SANRAL.

The 2017 winner in this category was Roshinee Naidoo.

Also at the gala dinner, The Lisa Blane Award was made, in recognition of Lisa Blane and her significant contribution to the WPN and the property industry.  Lisa was a founding member of the WPN and an originator of the Five Star and Rising Star Awards such that women from the industry could be acknowledged for their significant contribution.  Lisa was also a staunch supporter of education and thus the WPN Educational Trust such that young women can be well educated and adequately equipped to fulfill roles within the industry.

Portia Tau-Sekati, CEO of the Property Sector Charter Council was acknowledged for her significant contribution to the industry and for giving tirelessly of herself.

The awards were adjudicated by a panel of judges, which was represented by a broad spectrum of disciplines from the industry and included:

TC Chetty – Regional Manager: RICS South Africa and Chief Executive, TC Chetty and Associates (TCAA).

Gary Garrett – Head of Real Estate Finance, Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking

Genevieve Naidoo – Head of Credit Risk Real Estate, Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking and WPN Chair

Ipeleng Mkhari - Founder & CEO of Motseng Investment Holdings and President elect for SAPOA 2018.

In addition to recgnising premier event sponsor, Airports Company South Africa, and award sponsor, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the WPN also partnered with significant brands, the Singer Group and Jo Malone London for gifting each of the winners, Jones Lang LaSalle for gifting the guests and Ricard Pernod through their premier brand, GH Mumm for the sparkling wine.