South African Strata Indaba

In South Africa an Indaba is an important conference held by the izinDuna (principal men) of the Zulu and Xhosa peoples of South Africa.  And, it’s no different for strata managers since they’ve just held their first ever national strata title Indaba.

The National Association of Managing Agents of South Africa is the peak body for sectional title managers (as they’re called) and has been working over the last 10 years to advance strata title matters in South Africa.

So, on 6 and 7 May 2011 in Johannesburg over 150 South African and 2 Australians got together to share knowledge and discuss important issues.

Presentation at the Indaba included –

• Dr Gerhard Jooste with an introduction and overview
• Joseph Maluleke about the new Community Schemes Ombud Service
• Mike Addison with an insurance workshop
• Clive Ashpol about the operation of the EAAB as the regulatory body
• Tertius Maree with a workshop on management matters
• A discussion panel of Professor Cornie Van der Merwe, Jan Thladi, Joseph Maluleke ad Kwezi Ngwenya about the new sectional title laws
• Professor Cornie Van der Merwe about sectional titles around the world
• Marina Constas with a legal workshop
• Justin Mason about section 46 administrators
• Me presenting about the first 50 years of strata title in Australia

All the presentations were excellent and highlighted the common and special challenges of strata title operations and management in South Africa. They reminded me again about how similar things are everywhere in the world.

You can see my presentation 50 Years of Australian Strata Titles at my website.

For my part it was a pleasure and an honour to be involved in the Indaba and I learned a bit more (again) about strata title matters.

Francesco …