Building Tomorrow Better - My two presentations for Private Property at ABSA event

I completely forgot to post this piece about an ABSA event last year! So here is is now:

I had the pleasure of giving two presentations at the Real Estate Industry’s (REIS) 2,000-delegate summit, sponsored by ABSA and held at the Sandton Convention Centre. The theme was “BUILDING TOMORROW, TOGETHER.”

Private Property organized a magnificent exhibition and conference. I was invited to present a keynote at the elegant pre-event function held at Summer Place. Then also invited to give an introductory talk of my work and address the topic on a panel the following day at big main event at the Sandton Convention Centre.

During the day, speakers presented thought-provoking topics to examine contentious issues and challenges confronting the real estate industry’s developers, investors, sellers and buyers.

The topic for my keynote at Summer Place was “Regenerative, Sustainable Real Estate” with a look at alternative building methods and materials and with the emphasis on oft-neglected interior design and décor. Then to also clarify the fundamental principles of "regeneration, sustainability, circularity and the challenges of climate change on real estate in general - risks and solutions. I explained how ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) reporting is increasingly essential for all stakeholders throughout the value chain of a company if they want to be taken seriously by investors, banks and customers. All this in plain English with pictures and some humour.

The topic for our panel discussion at the Convention Centre was “Sustainable Building Solutions across the value chain”, a discussion on new and still-being-tested technologies that meet growing green building certification standards. Also addressed were the innovations and challenges facing the housing shortage in South Africa. We have much work to do but we have some amazing minds working towards solutions.

This event was a highlight for me this year. I always make a point of getting to know the delegates prior to speaking and it paid off brilliantly again when I found myself facing a sea of attentive, smiling faces ready to engage and respond. You know you've made an impact when folk come up afterwards wanting to chat further or debate a point. What a pleasure and what a reminder of why I love my work so much.

Thank you to the teams from ABSA, REIS and Private Property for an outstanding event and stunning venues. You did us proud.

Theo Mseka Zintle Oyiya