Real Estate Chairman of the Year 2021 (Southern Africa): Rob Buthelezi & Excellence Award for Community Support Initiatives 2021

B Property Group was established in 2000 to provide property services such as consulting, sales and development management. Award winner at the CEO Monthly Chairperson Awards 2021, Rob Buthelezi and his wife, Mahadi, founded the company by offering property consulting and management services to government and private sector clients. Since then, the reach of RB has grown steadily as the firm has gone from strength to strength.

The RB Property Group is constantly evolving and growing. RB offers a wide range of services intending to provide the best solution for every one of its clients. Founded in 2000, over twenty years of experience has been built into its culture. Founder Rob Buthelezi explains, “We have serviced clients in almost all spheres of the property spectrum, from project finance solutions, project and development management and asset management.?

“RB was founded on building sustainable wealth and promoting and sustaining property investments by ordinary people looking to grow their asset base,” he continues. “Our directors come from diverse backgrounds giving our team a skill set for the benefit of its investors.”?

The company has provided market research for property owners and developers over the past two decades, giving insight into current and future trends within the industry. Rob explains, “Our strength within the property data analysis extends to property valuations conducted for thousands of properties for various municipalities across the country.”?

Some of its clients include government departments, universities, the private sector, and financial institutions. RB offers end to end solutions by managing the process from project scope definition, feasibility, design and construction to facilities management. RB’s goal is to bring value to its clients by managing efficiencies in the design, while also making significant contributions to reshaping the social perceptions of the industry too. Rob explains, “Over the years, we have been involved in transforming the property industry by taking on assignments like the property charter to allow more black people to acquire skills and knowledge in the property industry in South Africa. Our company was instrumental in supporting and building the SAIBPP (South African Institute of Black Property Practitioners).”?

Before the company’s formation, Rob worked for his father in construction as a junior project manager, before moving on to work for NBS Devco. Additionally, Rob worked for NED Bank as Asset Manager and then moved to Group Five Construction to take on the role of Project Manager. In 2000, Rob decided to form RB Property Group in order to provide project management services for his own highly valued clients.?

Rob explains, “It is important for us to listen to the client’s brief and give our professional input to help the client to develop and realise their goals and in most cases, exceed the client’s expectations. Our services include technical advisory services and strategic solutions to clients who have large property portfolios.”?

RB’s main objective is to drive value with affordable housing, affordable student accommodation and provide services that will add value. “We are always looking for innovative solutions to deliver housing projects faster and at fewer costs per unit.”?

Rob continues, “In South Africa, like most African countries, we are faced with a very high housing backlog. We also face the credit challenges of a risk-averse banking sector when it comes to end user housing finance.”?

According to recent statistics, South Africa is currently showing the highest unemployment rate in years, with the global pandemic disrupting economic activity to a significant degree. Rob explains, “We are faced with the highest youth unemployment rate of 64% in South Africa now; we have to do something about it. To combat this issue, we want to establish mentorship programmes for the youth to get them employed in the property and real estate sector.”?

Rob goes onto explain the success of his business and his leadership style, “I like to believe that I lead by example by being focused and diligent in providing a service to a client. I do not like to micromanage, to tell people how to do their jobs; I like the idea of being results-driven. To challenge people to bring their top game to work and to do more than their best. Good communication is also key in business to ensure that we are all pulling towards the same goal and objective.”?

However, with great success comes some hardships as well. Rob describes the most significant test he has faced: “In 2008, the world economic crises affected our business adversely. We had to close two offices and retrench staff as the business struggled with cash flow. We had to redefine and reposition our business to survive and even grow following the world economic crisis.”?

Currently, RB is planning to have a global presence, starting in Africa and then in most African countries. The goal is to form strategic alliances with other companies or service providers, investors that could add value to the company and help RB achieve its objectives.?

Additionally, Rob is planning to continue fulfilling the role of Chairman of RB Property Group for the next ten years, and in the meantime, to have a succession plan in place to grow the business. Rob explains, “We want to grow the business on the foundation of good values of family, fraternity and unity. We want to grow corporate governance and systems to manage the business and to promote compliance with labour laws of each country we have presence in.”?

This year, RB is celebrating both its 21st anniversary and its recent awards gained at the CEO Monthly Chairperson Awards 2021, which represent resilience and strength in overcoming all of its challenges as a global entrepreneur.?

Company Name: RB Property Group

Contact Name: Rob Buthelezi

Web Address: www.rbpropertygroup.co.za

Contact Email: [email protected]

Contact No. +27646602090