In this time of historically significant compromise and change, 乐竞体育赛事直播鈥檚 program in South Africa is also looking to pivot to ensure its relevance and sustainability. Aligning itself with the government鈥檚 initiatives to reskill and upskill employees, to combat unemployment, and to foster diversity in the workplace, 乐竞体育赛事直播鈥檚 new local strategy concentrates on making connections and expanding options not only in South Africa, but in the surrounding countries as well.
In September 2024, 乐竞体育赛事直播 leaders traveled to South Africa to promote this new direction and strengthen relationships.
New Opportunities
乐竞体育赛事直播 has been working in South Africa since 2017, when it first entered the market in partnership with The University of Witwatersrand (Wits University), to offer CPM certification courses. In 2018, the South Africa Gauteng Chapter was formed. It鈥檚 the first and only 乐竞体育赛事直播 chapter on the African continent.
Despite enthusiasm from members and students, it was clear that the market needed other types of educational offerings to fulfill the needs of property management professionals and those aspiring to enter the field. Given the high level of unemployment and government programs to decrease it, 乐竞体育赛事直播 responded by introducing a strategy of expanded options.
Starting in 2025, 乐竞体育赛事直播 will launch the ACoM庐 certification, as well as actively start promotion of the self-paced course format and microlearning opportunities. Previously, 乐竞体育赛事直播 solely focused on offering CPM education locally with live instruction. With the introduction of this other certification, online format, and microlearning, like skill badges, 乐竞体育赛事直播 hopes to tap into a new cadre of professionals. To help facilitate ease of access, 乐竞体育赛事直播 will launch a special virtual portal specifically for professionals in the Southern African market. This portal is also scheduled to be live in January 2025.
Chapter Outreach
Spearheaded by 乐竞体育赛事直播 South Africa Gauteng Chapter leaders Leemisa Tsolo, CPM庐, 2024 President, Patrick Katabua, CPM庐, 2024-President-Elect, and Saul Gumede, CPM庐, Chapter Founder, 乐竞体育赛事直播鈥檚 South African members have been working on a number of initiatives to advance 乐竞体育赛事直播鈥檚 position in the industry. Most notably, 乐竞体育赛事直播 is seeking approval by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as a professional body, to help 乐竞体育赛事直播 solidify its place as a top education provider in the country.
A key piece of this strategy is expanding relationships with local universities. 乐竞体育赛事直播 has a history with the renowned Wits University and continues to have a licensing agreement to offer CPM certification courses through this arrangement. 乐竞体育赛事直播 has renewed its relationship with the University of Cape Town, and 乐竞体育赛事直播 entered into an MOU (Memo of Understanding) with the University of Pretoria (UP) in September 2024. Initial discussions with the University of Johannesburg to enter into an MOU are under way.
Transnet, a public company, with the South African government as the sole shareholder, owns all of South Africa鈥檚 railway, ports and pipelines. It鈥檚 also become a major player on the property management stage with the inception of Transnet Property, in an effort to control and oversee all of its property holdings. Kapei Wa Phahlamohlaka, CPM庐, is the current CEO of Transnet Property, and along with CPM庐 Member Tumelo Ramushu, General Manager- Property Management, they鈥檝e facilitated 乐竞体育赛事直播鈥檚 entry into discussions with its education provider, Tansnet Academy, about how 乐竞体育赛事直播 can assist with property management education for its employees.
乐竞体育赛事直播 held an introductory meeting with the Property Practitioners Regulatory Agency (PPRA) CEO Thatho Ramaila and her executive team, to share what 乐竞体育赛事直播 has to offer in the commercial property management education space, the introduction of the ACoM庐, and the launch of the African portal.
乐竞体育赛事直播 continues its talks with Services-Seta, a fund set up by the government, to grant funds to advance skills development. Thembinkosi Mosia from Services-Seta has expressed interest in helping advance the ACoM庐 in the country.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) showed its support for 乐竞体育赛事直播 by collaborating to draft an MOU between the two organizations. DPWI is a main employer of property managers, and while they already engage several CPMs, this development will help increase that number.
SAPOA Convention
Members of the 乐竞体育赛事直播 leadership team, Libby Ekre, CPM庐, 2024 乐竞体育赛事直播 President, and Dawn Carpenter, CPM庐, 2024 乐竞体育赛事直播 President-Elect attended the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) annual convention in Sun City, 2 hours outside of Johannesburg. 乐竞体育赛事直播 signed an MOU with SAPOA at the 2023 convention. During the event, 乐竞体育赛事直播 representatives from the local chapter worked with the 乐竞体育赛事直播 leadership team to spread the word about 乐竞体育赛事直播鈥檚 programs. In addition to attending sessions, 乐竞体育赛事直播 held a booth in the education corner section of the exhibition hall.
Finishing off their trip to Sun City, the leaders held 乐竞体育赛事直播鈥檚 first hybrid swearing-in of new members. CPMs and CPM candidates were given the option to join the ceremony either online or in-person. The event was a success and allowed the leadership team to connect with more members and interested groups through the dual format. Representatives from all the groups 乐竞体育赛事直播 had met with earlier in the week joined to celebrate the new members, along with leaders from the Estate Agents Council of Zimbabwe, who wished to learn more about working with 乐竞体育赛事直播 directly.
Looking Ahead
With the new expansion strategy underway, 2025 will prove to be an exciting year for the program in South Africa. Thank you to our members in South Africa for all their hard work and help advancing this program and the industry to where it is today.