Speakers & Bios – Day 3
THE SAPOA ANNUAL CONVENTION AND PROPERTY NETWORKING
SUN CITY RESORT, 28 – 30 SEPTEMBER 2022
DAY 3 – 30 September 2022
SPEAKERS & BIOS
Willem van der Post
Founder at xTech.Capital Co-Founder at simple.Capital() UK
A seasoned international speaker, Willem van der Post, is a Trend Specialist, Business Strategist and Venture Capitalist.
Will Harris
CEO at Gmaven
Member of SAPOA PropTech, Africa PropTech Forum, RICS Tech Partner. 15 years’ PropTech experience
Chata Romano
The Complete Image Solution®
President & Founding Member, The Complete Image Solution & The Chata Romano Training Academy
Siyanda Mflathelwa
Sector Head – Public Private Partnership & Concessions, RMB
Siyanda joined RMB’s Infrastructure Sector Solutions team in 2013 having previously worked at Investec Bank.
François Viruly
Associate Professor UCT
François Viruly is a property economist with over twenty-five years’ experience in the analysis of the South African property market.
Sean Godoy
MD Divercity Property Solutions, & Cofounder PropDD.
Sean is a property professional who has spent a decade working in various sectors of the property industry in South Africa and the UK.
Sean Godoy
Sean is a property professional who has spent a decade working in various sectors of the property industry in South Africa and the UK. Most of his professional experience has been as a property market analyst and commentator. In 2017 he founded Divercity Property Solutions which offers a range of advisory and training solutions to the property industry in SA and wider Sub-Saharan Africa. He is a proptech commentator, researcher and enthusiast, and is co-founder of the SA Proptech and Proptech Africa associations. He is also co-founder of proptech business PropDD, an online property due diligence product for the residential sector.
He is active through his business and voluntary roles with various organisations, and believes strongly in the power of collaboration. Sean is passionate about South Africa and the wider continent, entrepreneurship, education and proptech.
Roles:
- Managing Director, Divercity Property Solutions
- Co-founder & Director, PropDD
- Co-founder, SA Proptech Association
- Co-founder, Proptech Africa Association
- Gauteng Chapter Lead, The South African Chamber of Commerce UK
Peter Levett
Managing Director, Old Mutual Property
Peter has been in investments and related for over 30 years containing SA and International experience.
Peter Levett
Peter has been in investments and related for over 30 years containing SA and International experience. Of these 23 years is with Old Mutual in South Africa and 5 years with Goldman Sachs investment banking in London. During his time at Old Mutual, Peter has had the roles of Head of Old Mutual’s Corporate Finance division, Chief Operating Officer of the Old Mutual Investment Group and currently Managing Director of Old Mutual Property.
Peter has been a director of Old Mutual’s property business since 2000 and he has been Managing Director since 2011. Peter is responsible for the property investment and business strategy for Old Mutual, with property assets of over R20bn. He will be leaving Old Mutual Property at end July 2022 to pursue other interests including those in the property sector.
Peter has qualified as a Chartered Accountant and has passed a number of degrees including MBA and Master of Commerce.
Chris Yelland
Managing Director, EE Publishers (Pty) Ltd
Chris Yelland obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Natal in 1976, and was founder and managing director at EE Publishers (Pty) Ltd, the publisher of EngineerIT, Energize, Vector and PositionIT magazines.
Chris Yelland
Chris Yelland obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Natal in 1976, and was founder and managing director at EE Publishers (Pty) Ltd, the publisher of EngineerIT, Energize, Vector and PositionIT magazines.
After the closure of EE Publishers on 29 November 2019, Chris started a new company, EE Business Intelligence (Pty) Ltd, to focus on important strategic issues facing the electricity, energy and ICT sectors in South Africa and the region.
In February 2020, Chris was appointed associate consultant for leading financial services and capital markets research group, Intellidex, and energy advisor to OUTA (Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse).
Chris was the winner of the 2002 South African Bureau of Standards Media Award for “exceptional contribution to increasing the awareness of standardisation and related issues through the media”.
In 2003, he won a merit award in the Energy category of the 2003 Siemens Profile Awards, “recognising journalistic contribution to excellence in the field of science and technology”.
At the 2004 ABB Excellence in Technology Reporting Awards, Chris received the ABB Technology Journalist of the Year Award for 2004.
In 2009, Chris won the South African National Energy Association (SANEA) Journalism Award for “special efforts within the field of journalism to promote greater understanding of energy and its role in sustaining human endeavours”.
In 2018, Chris was awarded the prestigious South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) President’s Award for “in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the South African electrical engineering industry”.
Chris is a fellow of the SAIEE, a senior member of the IEEE (USA), and a member of the IET (UK). He is also a registered Chartered Engineer with the Engineering Council in the UK.
Lizet Bloo
Managing Director at Sosimple Energy
Lizet Bloo is the Managing Director at Sosimple Energy. She has been with Sosimple since their first days in 2018 and is an energetic, ambitious and experienced engineer with experience across the (renewable) energy, (tele-) communications and high-tech industry.
Lizet Bloo
Lizet Bloo is the Managing Director at Sosimple Energy. She has been with Sosimple since their first days in 2018 and is an energetic, ambitious and experienced engineer with experience across the (renewable) energy, (tele-) communications and high-tech industry.
She graduated with distinction at INSEAD’s MBA programme in 2015 and holds a Master’s degree in Systems Engineering from Delft, University of Technology from 2011.
As the Managing Director of Sosimple Energy she brings cheap clean power to South African property owners. Today, Sosimple Energy is one of South Africa’s most successful solar PPA providers across the country. Together we improve the world we live in, one roof at a time.
At Sosimple, Lizet is responsible for developing the proposition and tailoring to the needs of our customers. We sell our clients low-priced, flexible and clean energy that will immediately reduce their daytime energy costs by 20% or more. Lizet and her team are busy developing loadshedding solutions, working together with our property owners to create new income streams as well as building an energy partner offering.
Daniel Grewan
Sustainability Manager: Projects for Growthpoint Properties
Daniel Grewan is the Sustainability Manager: Projects for Growthpoint Properties with extensive experience in Green Building certifications, alternative energy, energy efficiency, and water and water efficiency.
Daniel Grewan
Daniel Grewan is the Sustainability Manager: Projects for Growthpoint Properties with extensive experience in Green Building certifications, alternative energy, energy efficiency, and water and water efficiency.
Having spent a large portion of his career sourcing, implementing and utilising renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions, he is deeply committed to creating a greener, more sustainable future.
With a BSoc Sc in geography and environmental management, honours in project management, and currently an MBA candidate at Henley Business School, Daniel also project managed the first 5 Star Green Star contact centre in SA, and the first certified green building in Port Shepstone, KZN.
Lizanne Hennop
Manager, Property Development Services Unit, Urban-Econ
Lizanne started her career in statutory planning before moving into development economics at Urban-Econ and is currently the Manager of the Property Development Services Unit.
Lizanne Hennop
Lizanne started her career in statutory planning before moving into development economics at Urban-Econ and is currently the Manager of the Property Development Services Unit.
Lizanne completed her undergraduate degree in Town and Regional Planning at the University of Pretoria and has taken courses from UCT to help her continuously better herself and her knowledge of the property sphere. Lizanne’s work and experience has led her to develop a unique set of skills in town planning and property development.
She is a professionally registered Planner with SACPLAN and has been involved in various interesting projects, for SAPOA and a number of well-known developers and institutions, conducting research on the following topics, to name a few:
- Property Sector Skills
- Market Feasibility Studies
- Ailing Infrastructure
- Covid Impact on the Housing Market
- Global Cities Retail Guides
- Medical Market Overview in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Contributions towards the SAMCO report
- Contributions towards the SA Sustainable Development Goals reports
Ruth Troskie
National Business Initiative (NBI)
Ruth re-joined the National Business Initiative (NBI) in July 2019, to head up the Technical Assistance, Mentorship and Development (TAMDEV) unit.
Ruth Troskie
Ruth re-joined the National Business Initiative (NBI) in July 2019, to head up the Technical Assistance, Mentorship and Development (TAMDEV) unit.
TAMDEV is a Job Summit Deliverable with the mandate of identifying highly skilled technical retirees and deploy them into government to offer capacity building support in the areas of infrastructure and financial management. She has extensive experience in both the private and public sector and has worked a number of years in the NGO and academic environment. Her exposure to the diverse environments provided her with exceptional skills and a sound understanding on how to promote and manage integration and linkages across the various sectors. She is a strong promoter and advocate for the development of people.
Ruth served as a Board member in several organisations, which include Chairperson of the Business Association in the Eastern Cape, and is passionate about effective governance and management. A change catalyst, with successful experience the design and management of a Private Public Partnership (PPP) between the Eastern Cape Provincial Administration and Leading Business Organisations (mostly multi-nationals).
Her alumni include Potchefstroom University (NWU) where she holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), the Peninsula Technikon and the University of Cape Town.
Alderman Eddie Andrews
Executive Deputy Mayor & Mayoral Committee Member – Spatial Planning & Environment, City of Cape Town
Eddie was elected into office as a Councilor in the City of Cape Town in 2011 and is still serving in this capacity.
Alderman Eddie Andrews
Edwin Andrews, fondly known as Eddie was born and raised in Mitchell’s Plain. He has been married for 23 years and has three children. Eddie and his family enjoy spending time together at home, going to church and supporting each other at various activities. He holds a Bachelors of Administration (majoring in Politics) from the University of Western Cape. He is currently completing his Honours.
Eddie attended Steenberg High School and was involved in various sports. Toward the end of his high schooling, he found a love for rugby. His parents could not afford tertiary education at that time and he was forced to work however, he kept playing rugby. He excelled and further went onto play for Western Province and the Springboks.
Although, no longer a professional sports player he regularly challenges himself to compete in sporting activities for community causes. He completed the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in 2018 while collecting over 4000 packs of sanitary towels for various organizations. He has also taken on the Cape Argus Cycle Tour, raising funds toward food security and awareness about the Decision Affect Destinies (D.AD) Youth Mentorship Programme. He was also a regular at the Mitchell’s Plain Park Runs at Westridge Gardens.
Eddie has always been involved in community activities like establishing neighbourhood-watches and community outreach programs. He is passionate about
community development and making sure opportunities and beneficiaries are linked. Eddie is well respected for his integrity and maturity to work with anyone regardless of their background.
Eddie’s love and commitment to community is what drove him into politics.
POLITICAL
Eddie was elected into office as a Councilor in the City of Cape Town in 2011 and is still serving in this capacity. His first position as a Councilor was for Ward 78 and since the last local election in November 2021, he will now be serving the communities of Ward 73. He has already put together a plan for the next 5 years in office.
He has also served as the Sub-council 12 Chairperson from 2011-2016. He was selected to serve as a Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Economic Development (2016-2017) and then Area-based Service Delivery (2017-2019).
He further also went onto serve as the Chairperson of the Spatial Planning and Environment Portfolio Committee from 20199-2021. Eddie is currently serving the residents of the City of Cape Town as the Executive Deputy Mayor and the Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment.
Phumlani M Majozi
South African Analyst, Writer & Speaker
I have 4 years of experience in advising international investors on South Africa’s financial markets, macroeconomy and politics.
Phumlani M Majozi
I have 4 years of experience in advising international investors on South Africa’s financial markets, macroeconomy and politics. I also have 9 years of experience in the banking industry; having worked on Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), Third Party Fund Management, Foreign Exchange, and Treasury business analysis projects.
I sit on the boards of three organizations: Organization Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), South African Institute of Business Accountants (SAIBA) and the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR).
I have professional certifications in Governance and Ethics from Wits University, financial journalism from Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and Process Professional from BP Group. My writings on economics & politics have been published in the City Press, BizNews, Business Day, News24, African Liberty and Politicsweb. I’m also a senior fellow at African Liberty – where I write on economics and politics.
I have been interviewed by BBC World News, Al Jazeera, and have been quoted by TIME Magazine, about South Africa’s socio economic trends. I contributed to Professor Niall Ferguson’s book “Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe”, published in June 2021 by Penguin Books.
Willem van der Post
Connecting the Dots, Megatrends, Customers of the Future, Changing Business Models, Disruptive Technology, Innovation
A seasoned international speaker, Willem van der Post, is a Trend Specialist, Business Strategist and Venture Capitalist. His sought after topics include megatrends, changing business models, disruptive innovation and customers of the future.
As the CEO of an exponential technology venture capital firm, his organisation uncovers disruption opportunities in partnership with global corporate clients. Prior to this, Willem was the managing partner for Deloitte Africa – Center for the Edge; a disruption innovation business with a focus on exponential technology.
Willem is an alumnus of the University of Stellenbosch, University of South Africa and University of Cape Town business school. Willem also attended Singularity University in California, a Silicon Valley think tank that offers educational programmes and a business incubator focusing on strategic progress and “exponential technologies”. He is also one ofthe first EXO-Works accredited facilitators in the world.
His background has been in commercial banking, insurance, venture capital and private equity. Add to that Willem’s exposure to technology – in collaboration with Singularity University both in the US and in South Africa where he has been helping organisations to transform, both digitally and structurally, into exponential organisations.
He serves as strategic advisor to the boards of various international fintech platform businesses, is Chairman of the Future Faces education crowd funding NPO, and is also the founder of a digital school for learners aged 14 to 20. The school focusses on utilizing exponential technology as tools in addressing the biggest social challenges faced by society.
When Willem is not on his mountain bike, he can be found kite surfing or enjoying the spoils of the Stellenbosch wine region with Charka, his German shepherd, never far from his side
Chata Romano
Chata is the President and founding member of The Complete Image Solution® and The Chata Romano Training Academy
- CHATA ROMANO is an established and respected brand, with a successful track record of 25 years
- An International Image Consultancy that proudly empowers women, and men, through Personal Consultations, Workshops and the Makeover Experience
- 175,000 delegates have been inspired by Chata’s Public Workshops
- 500 blue-chip companies have benefited from Chata’s Corporate Confidence Workshops
- The author of five best-selling books, Chata’s expertise, shining track record and personable manner make her a highly respected and sought-after presenter
- Chata’s successful GLAMOROUS REALITY blog celebrates style and inspires you to look and feel fabulous
- Chata was also a nominee for the prestigious Businesswoman of the Year award
When Chata is asked what she enjoys most about her business her answer is simple: I enjoy making my clients shine like stars!
Her mantra is: HOW YOU LOOK IS HOW YOU FEEL®. These seven remarkable words perfectly describe Chata’s philosophy. It is not about aspiring to become someone else, it is how to make the best of yourself. Beauty is not simply an external phenomenon, it comes from within – it is who you are. Whether you are a quiet person or a go-getter, a business person or a mother at home, your own individual style is unique.
Please enjoy, and benefit, from Chata’s informative, inspirational, motivating and life-changing workshop!
Will Harris
CEO at Gmaven.
Member of SAPOA PropTech, Africa PropTech Forum, RICS Tech Partner. 15 years’ PropTech experience.
Will Harris is CEO of Gmaven. He has worked at the intersection of data and technology in commercial real estate (CRE) since 2006, soon after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.
He’s currently chair of the SAPOA PropTech Committee, a member of the Africa PropTech Forum, and a RICS Tech Partner
He is passionate about PropTech driving overdue efficiencies for CRE professionals, and creating a fairer industry for CRE outsiders and insiders alike.
Using Gmaven, he helps CRE businesses manage their data, and automate time-consuming manual processes – otherwise done by skilled CRE professionals. His initial focus is the broker and property owner verticals in CRE, aimed at automating leasing and sales processes.
He’s made his oversized share of errors in tech, and his experience extends from the “brilliant basics” of CRE data, through to algorithms, and across to business analysis.
Will is a big believer in the potential of PropTech to unlock CRE industry profits and professionalism. Technology buzzwords and incompetent politicians irritate him alike. In an age of quick fixes, he loves elegant solutions that address root cause issues and add long-term value. He also loves his family, and the Springboks.
Siyanda Mflathelwa
Siyanda joined RMB’s Infrastructure Sector Solutions team in 2013 having previously worked at Investec Bank.
She has worked across various sectors including power (renewable and thermal energy), PPPs and concessions as well as telecoms and water infrastructure and has acted as MLA for senior debt products as well mezzanine and preference share facilities.
Recent transactions include:
- US$300m Beitbridge border post concession in Zimbabwe
- Sole arranger of a preference share facility to Vulindlela Holdings for the acquisition of an equity stake in the Afgri Project, (a grain handling and storage business)
- Sole arranger for R200m preference share facility to Pele Green Energy for the funding of an equity stake in the Touwsrivier CPV power project
- Sole MLA of a preference share facility to Gaia FS for the financing of the Lesedi Solar PV, Letsatsi Solar PV, Jasper Solar PV and Dorper Wind power Pojects
- Joint MLA on the ZAR 20bn coal fired IPP Thabametsi
- Joint MLA and documentation bank on a ZAR12bn (100MW) Kathu
- Solar Park CSP plant
- Joint MLA and Co-ordination bank on an ZAR11bn (100 MW) Xina Solar One CSP plant
- Joint MLA on a ZAR3.4bn facility for Dark Fibre Afric
François Viruly
François Viruly is a property economist with over twenty-five years’ experience in the analysis of the South African property market. Associate Professor Viruly lectures in Urban Economics, Property Development and Portfolio Management at the University of Cape Town in the School of Construction Economics and Management.
François held the position of Chief Economist at the Chamber of Mines. He was Head of Research at JHI Professional Services and Acting Head of School of the School of Construction Economics and Management at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. He is the President of the International Real Estate Society and is immediate past President and Executive Director of the African Real Estate Society. He heads the UCT-Urban Real Estate Research Unit. He was a Non-executive Director and Chair of Remuneration Committee of the Accelerate Property Fund. He is the Director of Viruly Consulting Pty Ltd and a fellow of RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors).
Prof Viruly has undertaken extensive research into the South African property cycle, the drivers of the South African property market and the relationship between urban economics and property markets in Sub-Saharan Africa. More recently his focus has shifted to sustainability in the real estate sector with a special emphasis on the “S” of ESG.
