SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - An independent organisation representing the interest of South African real estate - the Real Estate Business Owners of South Africa (Rebosa) was introduced to Garden Route's real estate industry roleplayers.

On Thursday, business owners, principals and employers attended a breakfast launch held at Tromonto, were a drive for membership was initiated.

Rebosa's interim chairman Andrew Golding CEO of Pam Golding, said "As as a fully representative voice of the industry, Rebosa would be able to approach all stakeholders, including our regulator the EAAB, and put forward a position on behalf of business owners. At the same time the Institute (of Estate Agents) as a 70 year old organization, had become in need of an evolution. The current model (of agent subscription) was proving to be commercially unsustainable. There is a need for a new representative, transformation focused, inclusive industry body.

"Since the formation of Rebosa there has been some politicking between the two organisations (Rebosa and the Institute) and the fundamental reasons for my leaving the Institute was my belief that there was baggage from the past in the organisation (that is the perception out there).

"This is preventing it (Institute) from being effective and credible in the eyes of a number of important stakeholders in the industry," said Golding. He added "I would have preferred the two organizations to work closely together but it seems it is not to be."

This is how Golding explained how it came about that he, as a leading light of the Institute (of Estate Agents) along with other key roleplayers in October last year broke-away (as members of the Institute) and parted ways to form Rebosa. "Currently the bulk of operators in the real estate industry are small agencies - the constitution is therefore designed to give small business a vote and thereby a voice."


Sonet Calitz and Tim Kirby of Sothebys George at the Rebosa breakfast launch. Photo: Pauline Lourens