According to specialist sectional title attorney and BBM Law director Marina Constas, while women are reportedly the largest group of property buyers in South Africa today, they are underrepresented and largely unacknowledged and unheard in the property sphere.
“Women may be snapping up properties, but they are still being left out in the cold when it comes to holding leadership positions and having their voices heard in the property sector. I am regularly consulted about conflicts in which women involved in different aspects of sectional title – from tenants and owners to trustees – are ignored and even bullied in what is still a largely male-dominated industry,” Constas says.
Recognising the need for gender balance in the South African property industry, Constas has founded a platform that aims to connect, support and develop women involved in the growing and dynamic sectional title sector.
Creating a collaborative community
Women in Sectional Title (WiST) will be officially launched during a webinar on 3 September, says Constas. “Our vision is to unite women from all areas of sectional title in one vibrant, collaborative community. WiST will enable women to network, learn, share knowledge, collaborate with and inspire each other, while gaining access to the resources they need to succeed in this field.”
Outlining who should join the WiST community, she explains that it is aimed at managing agents, real estate agents, property developers, property investors, legal professionals, trustees, owners, students and those aspiring to a career in sectional title.
“WiST will offer networking events, educational programmes, mentoring and advocacy for all women in sectional title,” she states. “The platform will promote diversity, equality and professionalism in sectional title in South Africa. By creating awareness of sectional title and the opportunities therein, and making it more accessible and appealing to young women, our goal is to build a skilled, representative sectional title community that is enriched by diversity and in which everyone can thrive and advance.”
WiST steering committee
Constas will serve on the WiST steering committee alongside Sheena Scott, attorney and director in the sectional title and litigation departments at BBM Law; Lesedi Monamodi, an associate at BBM Law; Annette Laing, principal and co-founder of Annette Laing Property Consultants; and Serena De Freitas, member of the National Association of Managing Agents (NAMA) KwaZulu-Natal Committee and the founder of a property management business and a financial services firm..
