Taking place at the breathtaking winelands region in the Western Cape and featuring an action-packed speaker line-up, the SAIV 114th National AGM, Seminar & Networking Dinner lived up to expectations. The Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate in Stellenbosch played host to the much-anticipated event which was attended by property industry professionals from different parts of South Africa. The event took place from the 18th – 19th of May, and covered the theme ‘Sustainability in the Built Environment, Property Market and Valuation Profession’. Speakers and attendees discussed issues affecting the property sector and solutions for more growth and development.
Day one kicked off with a presentation from David White, managing director of David White Valuations, whose 35 years’ experience as a Valuer & Chartered Surveyor in Europe and South Africa was instrumental in his topic on ‘Forestry valuations’. Thys Beukes, director of MRB Property Valuations presented on the topic ‘specialized agricultural valuations from turnover’. Acting registrar at the South African Council for the Property Valuers Profession (SACPVP), Roshinee Naidoo provided an update from the SACPVP. The final speaker on the day was Erwin Rode, managing director of Rode & Associates, who presented on ‘the capitalisation & discount rates in a low growth economy’.
The seminar was followed by an AGM and panel discussion featuring immediate past president Malusi Mthuli; professional valuer at Franci Malan Valuers, Franci Malan; Nedbank CIB principal valuer, Charles Saaiman; and Erwin Rode. The panel discussion, facilitated by SAIV past president, Patrick O’Connell, on the sustainability of the valuation profession, was eye-opening for all in attendance. It was followed by a networking dinner with award-winning music band, GnT, keeping the delegates on their feet with live music entertainment.
Attendees were treated to more insightful presentations on the second day with Frikkie van Zyl, agricultural economist at Frudata, presenting on the ‘Economic analysis of fruit cultivars and specialised agriculture, and the effects on market value’. Following up was a presentation on ‘Climate change in agriculture’ presented by Dean Ward, head of valuations for Area North at the City of Cape Town. The topic on ‘Sustainability in green buildings’ was presented by Georgina Smit, head of technical at the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA).
The afternoon slot featured the final three presentations shortly before the event was brought to a close. Presenting the topic on ‘Sustainability in the property valuation profession’ was outgoing SAIV president Malusi Mthuli, who was followed by the CEO of Greater Tygervalley Partnership (GTP), Warren Hewitt, and chairperson of the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) who presented on the potential of the greater Bellville/Tygervalley Region as a second Central Business District for Cape Town and Rob Kane speaking about investments happening in the current City Centre of Cape Town.
Not to forget the very productive NATEX meeting just before the seminar started lots of good decisions made to benefit the organization and members going forward.