Age 31
Where are you based at the moment (who do you work for)?
Citra Development, Cape Town, South Africa
In what year did you complete your honours degree?
2015
What path did you follow before ending up with your current company?
I was fortunate to be offered a bursary to complete my honours degree through Aveng Grinaker-LTA, where I worked in Port Elizabeth for five years on several different projects ranging from educational, to industrial, to institutional, and to residential.
One of my passions during my studies was property development and was then fortunate to be offered an opportunity at Citra Development and get involved in the property sector in Cape Town where I currently reside.
What is your current position and what does the role entail?
I am a Senior Development Manager and team leader of the Greenfields unit. I am currently managing two developments amounting to 2 800 units. My role entails project managing development projects from stages 1 – 6 of the project life cycle.
The following are some of my daily responsibilities:
● Building business and feasibility models for new greenfield projects;
● Derive development concepts;
● Town planning;
● Responsible for all statutory approvals;
● Generating finance proposals;
● Cash flow planning;
● Design coordination;
● Develop development roll-out strategy;
● Construction sequencing and phasing;
● Contracts management, and
● Delivery to end users.
What advice would you give a current construction management student?
Vacation work is very important, and during your first year of employment I would advise that you ask as many questions as possible. There is no such thing as a stupid question. I always tell my team: “Always double check.” Prof. Smallwood will tell you: “Measure twice, cut once.”.
Another principle I live by is to always be willing to learn. Once you lose the urge to learn you will stagnate in your career and you will hate your job. I am fortunate enough to be in a great work environment, and it is a place where I learn something new every day and I love being there. So, find your passion within the built environment, and run with it.
What was your favourite module?
All the Honours year material was my highlight.
Who was your favourite lecturer?
Prof. Smallwood and Prof. Botha
What are your plans for the next 5 to 10 years?
I am currently working on starting up a subsidiary within the Citra Group. During my honours year I undertook a ‘renewable energy’ business plan project, which I would like to follow through on. I plan to implement a similar business model with the help of the Managing Director of the Citra Group. I am also targeting Directorship at my current employer within the next 5 years.
14 August 2023