Members of Property Management, from the left, Wayne Clarke, Debbie Figueira, Adriaan Boersma, Danton Moses, Philleda Scotts and Andrew Small.

The Property Management Chief Directorate had a very useful strategic planning session at the Houwhoek Inn recently. The well-known academic and head of provincial training, Dr Ivan Meyer, was the guest speaker who kicked off the event. He compared the modus operandi of Property Management to the Premier's vision of a home for all. "Anybody who has built his own home will recall the frustrations that are part of such a project. The process that we in the province are currently going through is similar to the frustrations of building your own home," he said.

Dr Meyer motivated the Property Management team to put new life into the strategies, structures, systems, finances and procedures that form the core business of property management. He also focussed on every individual's ability to "first find yourself and then balance it with the physical, spiritual, emotional and mental building blocks of life". He concluded with the very important question, "What is your change strategy that would blend in with the whole IKAPA ELIHLUMYO initiative?"

According to James Slabbert, Assistant Executive Manager of Property Management, every delegate had to present his or her own priorities and working environment, which then created opportunities for the rest of the team to identify problem areas, for which solutions had to be presented.

Property Management's highlights of 2004 surfaced prominently during the strategic session and can be summarised as follows:

The approval of the White Paper for the Management of Provincial Properties, as well as the Disposal Policy by Cabinet and the eventual proclamation of the said White Paper during April 2004.

The take-over of Nelspoort Township by the Beaufort-West Municipality as from 01 July 2004 to manage and own the whole township.

Approval by Cabinet for the transfer of the township Karatara to the Knysna Municipality from 01 July 2004.

The leasing of new offices for Cape Nature Conservation in Belmont Park.

The leasing of new office space in the Southern Life Centre, to be utilised by the Aids unit.

Negotiating additional accommodation in the Golden Acre for the Western Cape Education Department and e-innovation.

Acquisition of 27 Wale Street during April 2004, as well as school sites for the construction of various schools to the value of R70 million.

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Enquiries:
Chris Prins
Manager: Communication
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 2132
Email: cwprins@pgwc.gov.za