Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming inaugural Residential Investment and Development Conference, the organisers have announced.

This landmark event, which takes place on 12 and 13 July 2023 at Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, brings together all stakeholders involved in affordable, social, sectional title, community living, retirement and student housing. Industry experts and government officials will discuss and explore opportunities and challenges in the residential real estate sector. The conference was launched in response to South Africa’s massive housing shortage and high urbanisation rate, according to the organisers, SmartXchange (a division of Commerce Edge South Africa).

As a leading advocate for equitable housing solutions, Minister Kubayi will deliver a keynote address on 12 July 2023, during the conference's main plenary session. The Minister's speech will focus on the government's initiatives, policies and strategies aimed at ensuring adequate housing for all individuals and families across the country. Her address, titled "Housing for All. A Pipe Dream?", aligns with the government's commitment to addressing the critical issue of providing affordable housing to all citizens.

Other programme highlights include a panel discussion on the acceleration of affordable housing, led by the Banking Association of South Africa. The expert panelists are Zydah Manual, Portfolio Manager Home Loans at Absa; Sicelo Mkhize, Provincial Manager Business Banking at Capitec; JP Viljoen, Head of Home Ownership at Nedbank; Dr Simphiwe Madikizela, Head of Customer Experience, FNB Home Finance and FNB Consumer Segment at First National Bank (FNB);  Marissa De Koker, Head of Affordable Housing and Partners at Standard Bank.

In other compelling sessions at the Residential Investment and Development Conference, industry experts will drive the conversation around innovation, technology and sustainable living. Speakers from Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA), the South African Institute of Valuers (SAIV) and the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA) will break down modern construction methods and technologies. Their discussion on innovative, sustainable building materials and techniques is an important one, given that we live in an age where minimising and managing our impact on the environment is a business imperative, and every industry must be doing more than paying lip service to sustainability goals.

Recognising the ongoing importance of transformation in South Africa, and to forging a path to inclusive economic growth and development, the event will close with a powerful panel discussion on transformation in the real estate industry. This session, titled “The Future of Transformation in the Residential Sector”, will address how small businesses play a key role in the sector, and how they can be a valuable source of innovation and creativity. The objective is to create an enabling and collaborative environment. This panel discussion will deliver insights from the President of SAIBPP, Sylvester Martin; the CEO of the Property Sector Charter Council, Portia Tau-Sekati; and Mahadi Buthelezi, who leads the Women Economic Assembly (WECONA). “These three organisations champion transformation in the industry, and we are proud to have them on the conference programme. We are also delighted to have the support and involvement of Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi in this historic event that will drive collaboration among property industry stakeholders, and help to address our housing challenges,” comments SmartXchange chairperson and CEO Debbie Tagg.