Broll Beacon - November 2005 (1.43MB)

eaconNovember 2005K E E P I N G T H E B R O L L F A M I L Y I N F O R M E DThe appointment of retail property specialist,Maurice Mdlolo as an executive director tothe main board of Broll Property Group is asignificant step in bolstering the company’s skillsoffering, says executive chairman Jonathan Broll.‘Maurice brings over 14 years’ experience – mostrecently as managing director of Motseng Marriott– to his new position as MD of our retail managementdivision,’ adds Jonathan. ‘His thorough understandingof retail dynamics and, in fact, all aspects of theproperty industry will bring tremendous value to theGroup.’A UNISA economics graduate, Mdlolo spent sevenyears with Caltex sourcing sites for retail servicestations in KwaZulu-Natal followed by five years inCape Town with Eskom Properties and Woolworths.‘I see myself as a hands-on player and am lookingforward to working with the Broll team,’ says Maurice.‘The company is well established in the industry andhas a 30-year track record. I believe that I bringspecific skills which will add value to the serviceoffering to existing and new clients.New in theDirector'schair‘I have known Jonathan Broll and Alan Wallace formany years – since my time at Woolworths – andwas always impressed with how the company hastaken a leadership role in the industry under theirdirection. They are not only focused on delivering onclient expectations but they do it in a way that is inharmony with the realities of our business environment.Personally, I can identify with this type of results-orientedforward thinking.’Maurice believes it is a great time to be in the industry.‘Property, and particularly retail, has never beenthis good. If you’re looking to progress your careerrapidly now is the time to grab those opportunities andmaximise your talents. There is no excuse not to excel!’Together with his wife Malindi, they have two children,Nkosinathi 13 and Nozipho 5. A keen sportsman,Maurice played semi-professional soccer in KZN,he has completed five Cape Argus Cycle Tours, theAmashovashova in Durban and the 94.7 race inGauteng.Beacon suspects that those working with Maurice hadbetter have high energy levels!In thisissue ...Hendrik Jacobsconquers Kilimanjaro3 4 7 8Artistic gifts at shoppingcongressSharon Kemese's roadto successPria Bhagwandin'ssecret identity

NEWSPartnership brings value to SouthgateManagement of the almost80 000m 2 SouthgateMall and Value Markethas been awarded to a jointventure between Broll and AkhonaProperties, a partnership establishingnew benchmarks for broad-basedblack empowerment in the propertymanagement sector. The contract waswon in the face of stiff competitionfrom eight companies.Opened in October 1990, SouthgateMall quickly established itself as aleading force in the retail mix ofsouthern Johannesburg. In fact, it isthe dominant player among severalother centres and experiences one ofthe highest footfalls per square metreof any shopping mall in the country.Boasting a cosmopolitan blend ofpatrons, the Mall and Value Centrehave benefited tremendously fromthe current retail boom and a newemerging middle market. ‘Weare delighted at this achievement.Southgate is one of the jewels inGauteng’s retail crown and it’s amagnificent show of faith in ourability to deliver,’ says NoluthandoGosa, Akhona’s chief executiveofficer.‘This is a perfect example of howwe plan to grow our business – withcarefully selected partners, whobring expertise and add value to ouroffering.’Time for a changein shoppingDelivering the welcome address at the 10th Annual Congress ofShopping Centres, Arnold Meyer challenged the industry to ensurethat 10% of delegates at next year’s event are black. ‘Whilenumbers of black delegates are up from last year it is still at a woeful 4%,hardly representative of the massive retail power of black consumers,’ saidArnold. ‘Transformation is not just a buzz word tobe bandied about when pitching on new business,it is a business and social imperative.’As South Africa’s leading retail property specialist,it was fitting that Broll was the congress’s mainsponsor. There were five foreign speakers amongthe 14 delivering papers and topics covered avariety of retail subjects.Arnold Meyer outlines the importanceof black delegates to suit the changingconsumer market.• Retail is thriving globally• There is huge growth in the role ofdiscounters• There is a significant move to roundthe-clockretailers• There are 46 000 shopping centres inthe United States• The world’s largest shopping mall isunder construction in China, a 720 000m 2behemoth with over 1500 stores2

ConqueringKILIMANJARO‘Kilimanjaro is a place where ordinary people go toachieve the extraordinary, to challenge their dailyexistence and experience a magical place betweenHeaven and Earth in the Africa of their dreams,’says Broll operations manager, Hendrik Jacobs.Early in September Hendrik set out toreach the summit of the highest peakin Africa and highest free-standingmountain in the world. Situatedalongside the town of Moshi in Tanzania,Kilimanjaro peaks at 5895m – six times theheight of Table Mountain!Kilimanjaro has its own climate and thosetackling the challenge pass through severaldifferent zones on the journey up. After3000 metres above sea level there aretorrid storms, cumulus clouds and fog, madeworse by loose gravel underfoot, known asscree. Temperatures range from 0 0 C to 50 Cand all-important oxygen levels decreaseExhausted, both mentally and physically, Hendrik stands on the summit ofKilimanjaro with his group in the background.the further up you travel,making Kilimanjaro theultimate African challengefor any intrepid explorer.An active cyclist and runner– he has competed in Ultraevents such as the ArgusCycle Tour and ComradesMarathon – Hendrik isno rookie when it comesto testing his fitness andtenacity.Hendrik’s group chose totackle ‘Kili’ via the UmbweRoute whichis said to beone of the mostharrowing, yet most scenic.The party comprised five hikersand17 porters who carried thefood, tents and hardware.From the 1700m mark progressbecame gradually slower asthey climbed towards UhuruPeak and, at times, felt asif they were taking threesteps backward for everyone forward! Increasinglylower oxygen levels and thetreacherous scree combinedto make the final push to thepeak – a 1300m hike at a45 0 angle – a seven-hour epic!The expedition took six days, five days upand one down. At every stop, there werechecks for frost bite and an assessment ofexhaustion levels, reaction to the cold anddiminishing oxygen levels and any otherinjuries that may have occurred.‘Reaching the summit was emotional to saythe least,’ Hendrik says. ‘Some shouted,some fell to their knees to thank God, othersjust stood absorbing the surroundings,taking weighted sighs of relief. Throughoutthe hike people took photos and you canimagine how the shutters clicked madlyaway once we summited. But no imagecould do justice to the emotion and elationof reaching Uhuru Peak.’Branching out up NorthIn September Broll Nigeria was awarded a five-yeartender to provide property management services forthe first-ever regional shopping centre in Lagos.This success follows close on the heels of the successfulTinapa management contract and underlines theimportance of Broll’s Nigerian venture.Situated on Victoria Island in the Lekki Peninsula district,The Palms Shopping Centre neighbours the prestigiousBritish International School and, with a number of keySouth African tenants, is to become a retail jewel in thisoil-rich African country.‘The 20 000m 2 gross lettable area is not huge by SouthAfrican standards but it is the first regional centre inNigeria,’ says Broll CEO, Arnold Meyer. ‘Built to worldclassstandards, The Palms will lift retail by severalnotches in the Nigerian market thanks to the involvementof local firms like Game, Shoprite and Nu-Metro.3

Trolleys a hit at shopping congressspecial feature at Broll’s Shopping Centre Congressexhibition this year was the beautifully-crafted, wirereplicashopping trolleys created by Proud MaburuseAand used as giveaways for visitors to the display.‘The theme for the exhibition was community developmentand the use of wire,’ says Claire Boaventura, exhibitioncoordinator. ‘Proud certainly did do us proud with hisefforts, we had awesome feedback from delegates. Inaddition to the mini trolleys, he also created a huge modelof the Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg, brochure andbusiness card holders and a globe. He’s an exceptionallytalented craftsman.’Proud has been doing wire and bead work for six yearsand enlisted ten helpers to assist in completing Broll’smammoth order.If you are looking for someone to create beaded wire craftsplease give Proud Maburuse a call on 082 707 7589.Cape centre strikes goldShe says the agency, owned byLizanne Vos, first caught the eye of theSomerset Mall team when they sawexamples of Mustard Seed’s beautifulCELEBRATING. From left to right: Dillon Swartz, Alan Wallace, Lisa de Boer, Lizanne Vos, Riaan Louw and Andrew GrundlinghSartwork. The agency works with aomerset Mall, one of Broll’s flagship Footprint Awards – the shopping industry number of the more select, smallershopping centres under management, equivalent of the Oscars. Somerset Mall centres and has partnered Somerset Mallrecently won gold in the annual recently completed a massive third-phase for just over a year.4Shiny, happy people developing propertyDuring the middle part of the year Iattended a workshop where the myththat the heads of a company make it asuccess, was dispelled.In truth, it is you, the people, who makeor break an organisation. I recalledfootage Arnold showed us at the ImaxTheatre of a group made up of happy,smiling people and realised you are whatmakes us the successful company we are,not the handful in managerial positions.We, as managers, have been placed inpositions to mentor, guide and encourageyou to break through barriers and havethe confidence to stand up and becounted. We need to share in your happytimes, but also understand the sad times.As a prominent member of our team saidto me the other day, we need to get intouch with our feminine side.With life so frenetic and stressful thesedays, we need to bring some peaceand harmony into the lives of thosearound us and become a more humanexpansion, increasing the mall by18 000m², which included a doubleclimbing wall and other entertainmentfeatures aimed at attracting a younger,more vibrant market. The Footprintaward recognised the marketing effortsto re-position the mall and draw uponan increased target market.Lisa credits the mall’s marketingagency, Mustard Seed, for theircontribution towards winning theaward. ‘They did all the artwork forthe ads, the posters in the centre andthey co-ordinated the opening functionfor which we won the award,’ saysLisa.By Anita Hechterand understandingteam. That is whatI am aspiring to asI go forward in thecompany.I challenge all ofyou to encourage those around you touse their talents, because a person bornwith a talent they are meant to use willfind their greatest happiness in using itand happy employees are productiveemployees.

Innovation and peopleare thekeyJohannesburg-based WalterManaka is in charge ofmaintaining and elevatingthe value of such prominentproperties as Golden Walk inGermiston, Alberton Mall inAlberton, Horizon View andSanlam Centre.On a constant quest for excellence,Walter is always looking forinnovative methods and solutions.He shares some of his views on theindustry and the company.The property market has seen manychanges in the past 10 years. Thesechanging events are indicative of thedynamic and competitive environmentin which the company has found andcontinues to find itself.Within Broll, these changes – relocatingto Broll House, Academy and mentorshipprogrammes, ISO, joint ventures etc – notonly reflect developments in the company,but are also testimony to a company thathas developed into a market leader.The key to our success has been anddepends largely on developing peopleskills and client service, among others.We need to treat our clients – both tenantsand patrons – as assets. This is where weshould truly distinguish ourselves – serviceexcellence and good interpersonal skills.Through our commitment and enthusiasm,we need to continue to exceed eachclient’s expectations.We must be prepared for the unexpectedand must cultivate the resilience, strengthand skill that will enable us to cope withchallenges in the ever-changing andcompetitive property environment. Istrongly believe that, by maintaining ourcompany’s core business values and ethics– service excellence, honesty and integrity,among others – we can remain a marketleader in service to our clients.Innovation without implementation is justan empty word. This innovation means thevision, dedication and tenacity of peopledriving the changes and the willingnessand capability of unit staff to implementchange.Together we need to ensure that we buildand align our company so that it willrealise the business benefits from its newprocesses, programmes and technology.The property market is a giant that shouldbe harnessed to take a prominent placein the overall economy. It should initiategrowth rather than act subservient to otherentrepreneurial industries – after all, itis the bedrock and physical reservoir ofeconomic achievement.I believe the key to success is learningand research. The benefits of continuouslearning will manifest in a fresh impetusand approach to business operations. Oneneeds to be constantly improving oneself.There’s a need to unlearn, learn and relearn.In other words, we need to go ofancient, archaic methodologies in favour ofinnovative solutions.Walter’s commitment to improvementincludes self-improvement. On his movefrom Golden Walk to Illovo offices,Walter says, ‘It was kind of the companyto recognise my contribution to the wellbeingof the company and broaden myhorizons. I think it’s good for me and forthe company as well.’5

Budding littlemodel, SaskiaBurger loves thecameraWelcome to the Broll familyWith the good vibes of spring in the air, we’re very excited towelcome all the new brolletjies to the family.Aiden John Rossenrode was born to parents, Linda andDerek at Westville Hospital on June 2, weighing a healthy3.76kg – a little rugby player in the making!Brendon Burger, facilities manager at Thomas More College,and his wife, Colleen have a new baby girl. Saskia wasborn on July 26 and weighed 2.86kg at birth.Sydney Lethwane, stationery & reprographics administratorin Facilities Management, and his wife have a healthybaby boy, born on September 23. Sydney (Junior) MohaleLethwane weighed 3.2kg at birth.Thandiwe Ngiba celebrates the imminentarrival of LangelihleAptly-named Langelihle (beautiful) Ngiba arrived atSt Augustine’s Hospital on September 15, weighing 2.9kg.His mother, Thandiwe, is based at the Durban office.Aiden, newaddition to theRossenrodefamilyBeen driving all night, my hand’swet on the wheel…The 1973 song, immortalised byGolden Earring, could well havebeen written for Johan Botha from theBloemfontein office, considering the timehe spends driving through the Freestate,Northern Cape and Northwest Province inhis quest to care for the ApexHi portfolio.If you thought Sandton was a bit far fromBroll’s Illovo head office, spare a thoughtfor Johan – a series of meetings recentlytook him from Harrismith in the east toKathu in the west, a one-way distance ofmore than 900 kilometres! His tight-knitteam of ten people manages a portfoliocomprising 40 buildings,179 496m 2 ofspace and 542 tenants spread over thethree provinces – an area of4 000km 2 .ApexHi has proven that propertyinvestments outside the traditional urbancentres can also be profitable for investors,with the right management and a close eyeon the fundamentals.While relatively new to the Broll scene,6Johan’s team has enormousexperience. There aresome unique characteristicsand considerations whenmanaging property insmaller towns, says Johan.‘You need to be muchcloser to the communityand consider the impacton them when makingany decisions. Tenantsand shoppers do not havethe same selection, thereis not the same range ofalternatives that you mayfind in a large city, forexample, and any changecan have far-reachingimpacts.’‘Our core focus is propertymanagement at the moment, but I believethere are opportunities to expand thebasket of services on offer,’ says Johan.‘Bloemfontein is home to three majorsports stadia and the skills offered by ourThe Bloem office, from left to right: Anene Marais, Madelein Sahling, ChristelKershaw (front), Leentjie du Plesis, Hannetjie Schlebush, Johan Botha (middle)and Dennis Perry (back).facilities management operation could beput to valuable use here. Slowly, slowlythough. Broll is making its presence feltand establishing a strong managementbase from which to roll out other servicesin the future.’

Self-confidence, hardwork and grabbingopportunities withboth hands have beenthe foundations for thesuccess of Sharon Kemese,junior property managerat Broll Cape Town.No glassceilings hereAfter joining the company inSeptember 1994, without amatric qualification, Sharon has– through dogged commitmentand the help of academiccourses through the Property Academy– progressed from receptionist to being oneof the first black women to fill a propertymanagement position.Originally from the Eastern Cape, Sharon’stenacious nature quickly came to thefore when she decided to study part timetowards her matric certificate, a feat sheaccomplished in 1997. A stint as personalassistant to the retail team prepared herfor greater things and, in June 2004, shewas again promoted, this time as propertyadministrator for the Safety Security andJustice (SSJ) and Sundry portfolios.This heavily client-focused position involveddealing with tenants, municipal recoveriesand the Department of Public Works inCape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg.She also completed a PropertyManagement course via the Academyand from there was recommended forher current position in charge of the SSJportfolio in June 2005.Sharon believes her background helpedmould her into the tough, successfulbusinesswoman she is today. An underprivilegedchildhood and early, harsh parttimework experiences as a young womaninstilled in her the ability to focus andwork hard. She sets a fine example for herchildren, Akhona (13) and Phumza (8) andhopes they will take heed of their mother’shard work ethic.‘Striking the balance between being asingle mother, performing at work andfinding personal time is difficult,’ saysSharon. However, she is not all work andno play. In her free time she enjoys readingmagazines and books, watching television,spending time with her children and goingto the beach.She is a firm supporter of Broll’s in-housetraining and academic programmesand believes mentoring is an importantmethod of building the skills of promisingcandidates within the company.‘Broll is certainly one place where there isno shortage of opportunities, but you haveto do your part,’ says Sharon. ‘It’s aboutdelivery at the end of the day.’Sharon’sshort-term goal is to become a seniorproperty manager and if her track recordis anything to go by, we can expect to seethat announcement in the not too distantfuture!Here’s to oursuperwomenThe women at the helm of Broll’s retailcentres are the epitome of glamour andstyle but, between them, these toughprofessionals manage over 200 000m 2of floor space and 800 tenants in sixof the Western Cape’s major shoppingcentres. Every one of them has a storyof fighting to the top in an industryhistorically dominated by men, but allof them have found Broll enormouslysupportive, helping them to fulfil theirpotential and reach their goals.7

Thesecretidentityof PriaBy day, Pria Bhagwandinis an accomplished businessprofessional, overseeingBroll’s Durban SundryPortfolio and carryingresponsibility for the dayto-daymanagement ofcommercial buildings,leasing and credit control.But at night, Pria slips intotraditional Indian dressand takes on an entirelydifferent role – that of astriking, customary Indianperformer.Pria Bhagwandin is finding the deeper meaning of culture in her extra-mural activities as dancer/singer.Pria is one of few South Africanborn South Indians still proficientin Tamil language and song.Last month, she won the Durbanand Surroundings South Indian musicalcompetition and came second in the interregionalround in which artists from allover KwaZulu-Natal compete.Contestants are judged by theirperformance of Tamil language, music andclassical dancing, which according to Pria,is based on century-old traditions and ‘notas modern as what we see in Bollywoodmovies’.Candidates have to prove their knowledgeof Tamil culture through accurate8Broll takes a great catchPretoria’s Super Sport Park – formerly Centurion – recentlybecame the second national public event sports stadiumin South Africa to outsource their maintenance to BrollFacilities Management. This requires the management ofhard services and ensuring the cricket stadium, which seats18 000 spectators, buildings and assets are match-ready.pronunciation of words, understandingof notation, facial expression and bodylanguage. ‘You need to make the audiencefeel what you are feeling when singing thesong,’ explains Pria.Getting a good grasp of the Tamillanguage demands years of patient study.‘If you don’t understand it properly you caneasily drop the meaning of the words whenperforming,’ explains Pria, whose fields ofspecialty are love songs and sacred songswritten centuries ago by ancient Hindusages.Pria discovered her love for Tamil cultureat a young age. She started to learn SouthIndian song and language when shewas only six years old. ‘The tradition hasaccompanied me all my life,’ she says,adding that she found inspiration in hermother, a talented singer who never hadthe opportunity to publicly demonstrate herskills.Pria has passed on her talent and passionto her two young sons who have bothtaken up Indian musical studies. ‘We wantto keep in touch with our language and tryto keep our culture alive,’ she says.And her children are as successful as theirmom. Pria’s six-year-old son Keveshan haswon the children’s section of the DurbanSouth Indian musical competition two yearsin a row.[ Contributions andcomments ]Please forward all ideas,stories and comments to:The Editor Broll BeaconCullum JohnstonTel 021 461 1705cullum@imbongisa.comIMBONGI COMMUNICATIONS TEL: 021 461 1705 www.imbongisa.com