By Sitha Maliwa:
A historic moment is about to unfold in South Africa’s property sector. On Wednesday, 27 August 2025, the Women’s Economic Assembly (WECONA), through Pillar 5 of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF), in partnership with the Department of Human Settlements (DHS), will host the first-ever Women in Property Summit and Awards at the UNISA Kgorong Function Hall in Pretoria.
Themed “Economic Power – Women Shaping the Future of South Africa’s Built Environment,” the summit is not just another industry event. It is a bold declaration that women can no longer be sidelined in one of the country’s most powerful sectors – a sector that shapes skylines, drives growth, and defines the nation’s future.
For decades, women’s contributions to the built environment have been overlooked, their leadership dismissed, and their ownership limited. Now, the summit seeks to flip the script.
At the heart of the event are the Women in Property Awards, which will honour the visionaries, pioneers, and unsung heroes who have fought to claim space in an industry long dominated by men.
From Lifetime Achievement to Outstanding Emerging Woman Entrepreneur, from Trailblazer to ESG and Sustainability Leadership, the awards will showcase resilience, creativity, and groundbreaking leadership.
The call for nominations – closing Friday, 22 August 2025 at 17h00 = is a chance for the sector to finally put women at the centre of its story. Submissions can be sent to weconapropertysector@gmail.com.
This summit is not built on celebration alone. It comes on the back of Phase 1 of a groundbreaking research study released in May 2025 by WECONA Pillar 5. The study laid bare the barriers women face in the property sector – from policy gaps to limited access to training and capital.
Those findings sparked workshops and seminars that prepared the ground for this summit. The message is clear: women are not only ready to participate; they are ready to lead.
A Call to Recognition
For Co-convenor of Pillar 5, Mahadi Buthelezi, the summit is both a recognition and a rallying cry:
“Women have contributed enormously to South Africa’s property sector and sub-sectors, but their work is rarely acknowledged. This Summit is about opening doors, honouring achievements, and creating opportunities for more women to thrive in this industry.”
The timing is no accident. South Africa stands at a crossroads, reviewing progress on gender equality while grappling with persistent barriers that keep women from fully participating in the economy. The property sector = central to wealth creation, infrastructure development, and economic transformation – cannot remain a boys’ club.
The Women in Property Summit and Awards is more than a celebration. It is a weapon in the fight for equality, linking women’s economic empowerment to the national battle against gender-based violence and femicide. When women hold property, resources, and decision-making power, they gain the independence to protect their rights, uplift families, and strengthen communities.
This summit is not simply about recognition = it is about rewriting the future of the built environment, with women at the helm.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, 27 August 2025
Venue: UNISA Kgorong Function Hall, Pretoria
Time: 09h00 – 16h00 – @NewsSA_Online
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