In a significant shift for the South African Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) sector, Jackie van Niekerk has stepped into the role of chair of the South African REIT Association (SA Reit). As the current CEO of Attacq Limited, a prominent JSE-listed REIT, Van Niekerk’s appointment marks a pivotal moment for an industry that has had to navigate the turbulent waters of the pandemic and is now poised for renewed growth.<\/p>\n
The South African REIT landscape has undergone considerable transformation in recent years, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This transition has not only reshaped how investors view property assets but has also influenced regulatory frameworks and the strategic initiatives undertaken by the sector’s leading organizations. Van Niekerk\u2019s ascension as chair of SA Reit comes after a fruitful tenure by Estienne de Klerk, the former Group CEO of Growthpoint Properties, who has been recognized for steering the association through challenging times.<\/p>\n
With over a decade of experience in the real estate sector, Van Niekerk is no stranger to the complexities and dynamics of property investments. She previously served as the CEO of Pivotal Property Fund when it debuted on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in 2014, a fund that was later acquired by Redefine Properties. Her extensive background also includes leadership roles within the South African Property Owners Association, where she contributed to significant industry initiatives.<\/p>\n
During the recent annual general meeting held in Johannesburg, the transition in leadership was formalized, and Van Niekerk expressed her gratitude for the groundwork laid by her predecessor. De Klerk emphasized that the association emerged stronger from the pandemic, a testament to the discipline and resilience demonstrated by its members. He praised Van Niekerk, stating that her deep industry knowledge and leadership experience would bolster SA Reit\u2019s objectives.<\/p>\n
One of the key points highlighted during this leadership change is the current positioning of the South African REIT sector. After enduring a challenging period marked by balance sheet repairs and a landscape altered by global events, the sector is now witnessing a resurgence. The total return for South African REITs reached an impressive 38.6% in 2025, following a robust 35.8% return in 2024. This momentum has resulted in a significant increase in market capitalization, with member companies successfully raising over R11.4 billion through oversubscribed book-builds in the past year.<\/p>\n
Van Niekerk is keenly aware of the responsibilities that come with her new role, stating that the primary aim of SA Reit is to position South African REITs as a compelling asset class for both local and global investors. This objective underscores the need for continuous improvement in transparency and standards within the sector. Under De Klerk\u2019s leadership, SA Reit made substantial strides in enhancing disclosure standards, ensuring that the sector remains competitive and attractive to a diverse range of investors.<\/p>\n
As the new chair, Van Niekerk aims to build upon this solid foundation while also introducing fresh ideas and initiatives to propel the sector forward. The transition comes at a time when investor confidence is being restored, and the appetite for real estate investments is growing. The strategic focus on delivering value and fostering deeper engagement with stakeholders will be critical as the association navigates the next phase of its evolution.<\/p>\n
For traders and investors, this leadership change signifies an important moment in the South African property market. The proactive measures taken by SA Reit, coupled with Van Niekerk’s leadership, could lead to enhanced visibility and attractiveness of South African REITs. Investors should pay close attention to developments within the sector, as the renewed focus on growth and corporate activity may present new opportunities for investment.<\/p>\n
In conclusion, Jackie van Niekerk’s appointment as chair of the South African REIT Association heralds a new chapter for the industry. With the sector on the cusp of significant growth and transformation, her leadership will be instrumental in guiding the organization through the challenges and opportunities ahead. As the market rebounds, stakeholders within the real estate investment landscape will be eager to see how SA Reit adapts and innovates under her stewardship, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and prosperous future for South African REITs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In a significant shift for the South African Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) sector, Jackie van Niekerk has stepped into the role of chair of the South African REIT Association (SA Reit). As the current CEO of Attacq Limited, a prominent JSE-listed REIT, Van Niekerk’s appointment marks a pivotal moment for an industry that has […]\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":111546,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[58],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-111545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-finance"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vortexfx.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vortexfx.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vortexfx.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vortexfx.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vortexfx.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=111545"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vortexfx.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111545\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vortexfx.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/111546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vortexfx.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=111545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vortexfx.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=111545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vortexfx.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=111545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}