More Black Estate Agents Needed in South Africa

There are not enough black estate agents in South Africa. Out of about 50,000 accredited estate agents, only 12% are Black. This is a problem because it means the property industry does not reflect the country's population.

One Young Agent's Story

Mhlonishwa Winston Kunene is a 29-year-old Black estate agent. He started at 18 putting up 'for sale' signs for a top agent. He learned fast and became an intern agent after just three months. Now he runs his own company, Libertalia Group.

Kunene says young people should be patient and get accredited. They should also use their tech skills. For example, they can take photos of houses and advertise them online. Being tech-savvy is a big advantage over older agents.

Why Diversity Matters

Thato Ramaili from the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority says the industry needs to be more inclusive. Right now, White people still hold most senior jobs. But there is some progress: women are now 54% of registered property practitioners, and Black people make up 30%.

Tips for Young People

• Be patient and keep learning.
• Get accredited by the right authorities.
• Use technology like AI and photography to help you stand out.
• Document your small wins to stay motivated.

Kunene also started a non-profit to help young people get training and exposure. He hopes to open a real estate institute with affordable courses.

This article was originally published on TimesLIVE.