President's message
Are public partnerships the answer? As 2019 draws to a close and 2020 approaches, we look forward to what next year will bring. SAPOA derives its strength from the excellent home-based office team, but it would not be the success it has been were it not for the time and dedication of all its committee members around the country, who give so freely of their expertise and valuable time. Over the past six months, I have come to meet many of you, and I want to personally thank everyone for their guidance and support with the SAPOA initiatives that are in progress Interview by Mark Pettipher SAPOA President David Green
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o doubt 2020 will be an important year for South Africa, as the government continues to address the challenges that exist while striving to boost and stabilise the domestic economy. At SAPOA, we provide the government with all the support we can, but we also challenge the structures when we disagree with new policy frameworks that may adversely affect our industry. The South African property sector would do well to consider supporting public-private partnerships to ensure that these work more effectively. Exorbitant escalations in municipal rates and taxes, problematic proposed changes to outdoor signage regulations, the lack of water and electricity security, and a general lack of optimism all curb investment as well as the opportunities for the property industry to play its role in the stimulation and growth of the South African economy. SAPOA President David Green agrees that there are sure signs of improvement within the broader South African economic landscape. “There is a big thrust towards business improvement districts and national legislation around that,” he says, noting that the sector could no longer solely rely on local government to pick up responsibility for restoring
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SOUTH AFRICAN PROPERTY REVIEW
the economy or fixing the various issues facing our built environment. The private sector will need to play its role in maintaining the value of the country’s commercial real estate investments. “Critically, private-public partnerships do need to be considered as one means of stimulating economic growth across all South African cities,” he says. “The focus should be on ensuring the maintenance and continued provision of essential services, in particular the provision of water and electricity, and waste management. “It’s heartening to see the property sector is realise that these are essential to its own long-term sustainability.” As an active member-driven organisation, SAPOA drives the agenda of the South African property industry and its supporting services. Green likens SAPOA to the “public protector” of the industry – it challenges the institutions of government, and addresses the issues facing its members. “SAPOA plays a dynamic role with regard to understanding the pressure points within each sector of the property industry, to see where it can add the most value in the most effective way,” he says. “Our executive team met recently with various government ministers and provincial and local city managers in different cities, and it has been an enormous
