The newly appointed president of the South African Property Owners Association (Sapoa), Estienne de Klerk, is eager to promote the South African property sector locally and internationally, as well as advance the use of sustainable technology within the sector.

Speaking at the forty-fifth annual Sapoa International Property Convention & Exhibition, last week, the Growthpoint executive director said the property sector would need to deal with pressing issues, such as above-inflation increases on administered costs, including electricity costs and rates and taxes.

He further highlighted skills shortages, poor education and attracting foreign investors and business to South Africa, as other challenges facing the local property sector.

Education, training and skills development, as well as providing the sector with valuable information and research, would be key priorities for the industry body in the year ahead.

“Sapoa’s continued liaison with government – national, local and provincial – is paramount for our members’ interests. I look forward to the challenges of the coming year and I am dedicated to the vision and goals of Sapoa in representing the collective voice of the property industry.

“Sapoa and its members are known for an optimistic mindset and persistent approach to delivering value and conquering adversity. This was obvious through the global financial crisis, where we benefited from conservative balance sheets and the stable banking environment, to achieve growth and outperformance. These attributes will stand us in good stead when tackling some of the headwinds currently facing the industry,” De Klerk said.

De Klerk, who is also a director of Growthpoint Properties Australia, the V&A Waterfront and chairperson of the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) committee of the South African REIT Association, holds a BCom (Hons) in accounting and marketing and is a qualified chartered accountant.

He has been involved in the banking and listed property sectors for more than 18 years and has experience in take-overs, mergers and acquisitions, black economic-empowerment deals and capital raisings.