Boss babe Nthabiseng Makgabo is an asset manager in one of the largest property portfolios in South Africa, Respublica Student Living. She’s also chairperson of the South African Institute of Black Property Practitioners (SAIBPP) Young Professionals Forum, an organisation aimed at driving transformation and the participation of young professionals in the property industry.
She’s passionate about spaces (property), the way people and property interact, and seeing people being treated fairly and living their purpose. She tells GH writer Ondela Mlandu about her journey.
Get your notebook and pen ready because there are some smokin’-hot lessons coming up…
First off, how do you get into the property industry?
Nthabiseng recommends that you study towards a property-related degree. “There are many universities in the country that offer courses, including my alma mater, the University of the Witwatersrand. I completed a BSc in Property Studies there,” she says.
“There are also short courses available. SAIBPP continues to educate the country by offering courses and our property entrepreneurship course is accredited by the University of Cape Town.”
Once you’ve done your research and know which part of the industry takes your fancy, get involved with industry bodies such as the SAIBPP Young Professionals Forum, so you’re part of the community and can gain valuable mentorship opportunities.
What challenges can you expect in this line of work?
For Nthabiseng, the jump from university to work felt massive. “It took me some time to adjust,” she says. “When I first started working, I was afraid to speak my mind. I was anxious about getting things wrong and I struggled to understand why work was so challenging if I aced university,” she says.
READ MORE: How To Make It As A Woman In The Property Industry
But she soon took control of the situation. “I decided to start participating more actively in industry networking groups. I created relationships that could support me when I went through challenges at work. Most importantly, I came together with other industry professionals to put together the SAIBPP Young Professionals Forum so that other young professionals wouldn’t feel the pressure to conform or not be themselves in their places of work. I didn’t want others to have their growth stunted. And so, I became the change I wanted to see in the industry,” says Nthabiseng.
Solid-gold lessons she’s learnt along the way… (um, notepads everyone)
1/ Be yourself.
“You are of more service to yourself and the world when you are being authentic.”
2/ Forgive yourself when you make mistakes.
“Rather learn from them and teach others to grow from them too. It takes courage to do this. It’s also liberating.”
3/ It’s okay to be afraid when you do something new.
“It’s okay to have doubts and to feel like the challenge is massive.”
4/ Run towards the discomfort.
“Your greatest challenges are often the ones you beat in your head first.”
5/ You are wildly capable of achieving everything you want.
“Visualise yourself as the person you want to be and try your best to show up as her every day. Persistence will take you far.”
6/ Ask for help.
“You’d be surprised at how far you can get with a little bit of guidance.”
Connect with Nthabiseng
@MissMakgabo on Twitter and Instagram
