SAPOA 60th Celebration

Celebrating six decades of leadership, advocacy and the collaborative spirit driving South Africa’s commercial property sector forward.

In 2026 the South African commercial property sector is characterised by cutting-edge technology, a sharp focus on sustainability and a drive toward inclusive, community-centric development. But rewind sixty years and the landscape was vastly different. The industry was fragmented, individuals were largely self-serving and there was no unified body to represent the interests of those who initiated, funded, and managed the country’s commercial buildings.

This year, as the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) celebrates its 60th anniversary, it represents over 90% of the commercial and industrial property sector in the country. The story of how this powerhouse organisation came to be is a testament to the power of collaboration. It all started with a simple road trip.

Following the end of World War II the South African property industry saw a massive resurgence. Returning servicemen needed accommodation and businesses operating at full tilt required major office space developments. This post-war energy drove decades of development but the industry remained fractured and faced significant challenges.

During the early 1960s property owners and investors operated under difficult conditions, frequently frustrated by strict regulations and misinterpretations of the law.

In 1963, while driving between Bellville and Cape Town Andries van Riet, an investment manager at Sanlam, turned to Assistant General Manager Dawid Malan and suggested that the time had come to form a unified body. Driven by this vision, van Riet embarked on research trips to the United States and the United Kingdom in 1965, studying successful institutions such as the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) in Chicago to understand how pooling resources and setting development standards could transform an industry.

Armed with a memorandum and a compelling vision, van Riet presented the idea to 35 large corporate institutions. The response was overwhelmingly positive with major players eager to join forces. In 1966 SAPOA was officially born.

SAPOA didn’t have to wait long to prove its worth. On the very afternoon the organisation was officially established in August 1966 the Minister of Community Development announced the extension of rent control to all dwellings and business premises. This direct threat to the rights of property investors was the exact reason SAPOA had been formed. After years of sustained positive dialogue and lobbying with the government, SAPOA succeeded in having the restrictive law amended in the early 1970s.

This early victory set a precedent for SAPOA’s legacy of advocacy, which remains a core function today.

Over the last six decades, SAPOA has been instrumental in shaping the built environment and protecting the principles of a free-enterprise system. A few of the most defining milestones include:

As SAPOA steps into its 60th year, the organisation is not resting on its laurels. The previous SAPOA Annual Convention at Sun City in September 2025, highlighted a sector shifting from a period of severe economic headwinds into a phase of pragmatic optimism.

SAPOA Chief Executive Officer Neil Gopal believes relevance requires constant evolution. He notes that you can only remain relevant by adapting to change or leading the change you feel is necessary. Leadership demands flexibility, which requires the willingness to recognise the need for change, consult with affected and involved parties and finally, you must have the ability to lead and manage that change.

This adaptability is yielding results on the world stage. Recently, South Africa’s voice in the international property arena grew significantly when Neil Gopal was elected Vice-Chair of the BOMA International Council in Washington.

Back home, the focus is squarely on delivery and resilience. Speaking at the 2025 Convention, SAPOA President Itumeleng Mothibeli, who is notably serving a strategic two-year term to ensure leadership continuity, highlighted the undeniable green shoots visible in the market.

He emphasised that with tailwinds replacing headwinds, now is the time to harness the momentum to build a more resilient and inclusive sector, one that connects communities, practices positive public-private partnerships, attracts capital and delivers lasting value.

The convention also shed light on exactly where this value is being created today. Experts highlighted that social impact investing is no longer just charity but a pathway to strong returns and meaningful outcomes. By rethinking housing and tapping into the booming backyard rental market, the industry is discovering highly investable asset classes. Furthermore, the future of retail is becoming increasingly experienced-led globally, with environmental design entering the mainstream.

In the realm of technology, the industry is learning to use generative AI as a practical partner. By turning raw data into actionable insights for property management and streamlining complex lease agreements, AI is helping professionals make better decisions. Through all these modern advancements, the human element remains central to strategy and oversight.

From a single conversation on a Cape Town road trip in 1963 to an international force shaping policy, sustainability, and technological integration in 2026, SAPOA’s journey reflects the industry it serves. It remains adaptable, resilient and forward-looking.

Networking and knowledge sharing have always been the glue holding the SAPOA family together. As former president Amelia Beattie noted, a few people working together can achieve much more than everyone working on their own. As the commercial property sector navigates the exciting integration of generative AI, the rise of impact investing and the vital need for robust public-private partnerships, SAPOA remains the steady, unifying voice at the helm.

As SAPOA celebrates 60 years of elevating property and elevating South Africa, it remains the steady, unifying voice at the helm of a sector navigating the exciting integration of generative AI, the rise of impact investing and the vital need for robust public-private partnerships. From that single vision on the road to an international force, the journey of collaboration continues to deliver lasting value and meaningful outcomes. But the narrative of transformation and leadership is far from over. Be sure to look out for more as the story continues in our April edition of our informative SAPOA Newsletter.

For 60 years, the mission has remained unchanged.

Elevating property. Elevating South Africa.