An Introduction To The Women's Property Network
The Women's Property Network was established in 2000 to create a forum for women in a predominantly male industry to join together to exchange information, develop business contacts and enhance professional success. We have chapters in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town with over 300 members countrywide.
WPN is dedicated to advancing the success of women in the commercial property industry. We are working to accomplish this by continuing to act as a catalyst for change within the industry; by providing our members and sponsors opportunities to network and do business with each other, by providing a bursary scheme to identify young women who we can develop in the industry, by providing skills development workshops to nurture new talent and by highlighting the successes of our members.
We will seek to:
-
Enhance the image and profile of WPN as a dynamic, respected and influential national organisation within the property industry of South Africa.
-
Constructively and positively promote the role of women in the industry.
-
Retain and attract into WPN diverse women from all areas of the property industry.
-
Through educational programmes assist women to achieve economic selfsufficiency and promote the entry of more women into the property industry.
-
Transform WPN so that it fully reflects the geographics and requirements of our country.
-
Support and encourage development and growth through skills development workshops / programmes.
-
Recognise and honor top women in the industry through related awards.
-
Promote interaction, participation and business opportunities through innovative networking activities.
-
Practice good governance and be socially responsible.
Membership Benefits
-
Access to professionals in all disciplines required to complete a project in the main three regions.
-
Increase your business opportunities.
-
Top-quality networking opportunities.
-
Access to excellent job opportunities.
-
Access to information in the industry.
-
Affiliation with an organisation that is well respected in the industry.
-
A way to meet new colleagues, form new friendships and have fun.
-
Access to other affiliated organisations e.g. SAPOA, SACSC & GBCSA.
WPN Educational Trust
In line with our objectives, WPN is looking to provide further education to women in the commercial property sector.
In addition it seeks to actively support black women and assist all junior women to grow in the industry and further their career objectives. In order to achieve this, we have set up a trust called "The Women's Property Network Educational Trust".
The trustees are:
-
Ipeleng Mkhari
-
Amelia Beattie
-
Refqah Fataar Ho-Yee
The purpose of the trust is:
-
Through the contacts and networks which members have, secure women participation in the industry's educational activities.
-
To support and encourage education of women through a number of bursaries at tertiary institutions with approved property courses.
-
To support and encourage development and growth through skills development workshops/programmes.
Skills Development
In 2009, WPN launched its mentorship initiative in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban with the objective of training and guiding suitable mentors such that mentees could be exposed to more senior property professionals and empowered to excel in their careers. The need has however arisen for the focus to be changed somewhat and for the foreseeable future, WPN will be offering members the tools and knowledge to empower themselves not only from a career perspective but also on a more personal level through Skills Development Workshops.