The 2025 class of SAPOA’s flagship Property Development Programme (PDP) recently celebrated graduation at an intimate dinner held at The President Hotel in Cape Town.

A long-standing partnership between SAPOA and UCT GSB going back to 1969, this year marks the programme’s 54th year with the likes of past SAPOA President, Kevin Roman, and SAPOA CEO, Neil Gopal, as alumni.

In thanking Growthpoint Properties as the principal sponsor of a world-class programme, Neil Gopal said that one of the key driving forces of SAPOA is to contribute to the advancement of its members’ interests in the commercial property sector.

“One of SAPOA’s key objectives is to provide professionally designed programmes and to ensure that the content aligns to the industry’s needs. We do this to raise the competence levels of those operating within our industry. Education will continue to be a strong pillar within SAPOA, and it is a sharp focus in the current environment as this is what drives the quality of the commercial property sector in the future,” he said.

“It is gratifying to see so many experienced property professionals enhancing their skills and knowledge through the PDP. Having done PDP myself in 1998, the two-week programme is intense and it’s not easy to juggle this with work back at the office.”

“The importance of a building is not only about its functionality; but how it interfaces with the urban fabric and how you create an authentic experience for its users”, said Peter Engelbrecht, Head of Development at Growthpoint Properties, and past board member of SAPOA.

“The major challenge in urban design is to create a sense of place where the users have an emotional connection to the building. It is important that you all leave the PDP as winners, having made ever-lasting relationships that will stay with you throughout your careers.”

2025’s class comprised 42 delegates – 38 from South Africa, 3 from Mauritius, and 1 from Zimbabwe.

“We are not only here to celebrate the class of 2025, but to celebrate resilience, progress and possibility. The PDP is about three ‘P’s – People, Purpose and Partnership,” said Henry Chitsulo, Course Convener and who has been involved with the PDP for close on 25 years.

For their final project, the students were grouped and tasked with a Strategic Development Vision (SDV) for one of the City of Cape Town’s inner-city sites in Wynberg, earmarked for affordable housing.

Group 2 won 1st prize, sponsored by Growthpoint Properties; Group 4 won 2nd prize sponsored by VMQ Property Services, and Group 5 won 3rd prize sponsored by FNB Commercial Property Finance.

Group 2 – 1st prize (sponsored by Growthpoint Properties). Group 4 – 2nd prize (sponsored by VMQ Property Services). Group 5 – 3rd prize (sponsored by FNB Commercial Property Finance).

“In order to change ‘business as usual’, we believe that you need professionals who are willing and curious. It is about leaving your hierarchy at the door, starting at the bottom, and carving out a change in mindset,” commented Jodie Martin, Executive Head of Education at UCT GSB.

“This is where curiosity comes in. I ask the class of 2025 to hold on to that curiosity because it is no longer ‘business as usual’ – its ‘curiosity as usual’. With the PDP, our intention is to make you think differently and to build a network of support so that when you leave the programme, you remain connected with each other to make an impact – not just on profit, but on people, and the eco-system,” he concluded.  

As part of the PDP, each year’s graduates raise money for a nominated charity. For 2025, they donated R45 850 for The Hope Exchange which assists the homeless in Cape Town in their journey of becoming independent.

Applications are open for the 2026 Property Development Programme