Apply to join Property Point's incubation programme

Shawn Theunissen, Head of Property Point and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility for Growthpoint Properties.

Property Point is an enterprise initiative founded by Growthpoint Properties, South Africa's largest JSE-listed property company. It has grown to collaborate with partners across the property industry, like Attacq, to drive enterprise development forward for the sector.

Developed as part of Growthpoint Properties' social investment programme, Property Point has been a catalyst for successful enterprise and supplier development within the South African property industry since 2008.

To date, 96 businesses have participated in the two-year programme, enabling them to generate over R398 million in procurement opportunities, with a reported revenue growth of 54.5% - well above the national average.

Job creation

The incubation programme has also made significant strides in enterprise and supplier development through the creation of 1,141 jobs, while empowering 2,500 people with best business practices.

As part of its latest incubation programme intake, Property Point is looking for motivated individuals running SMEs that specialise in areas like electrical work, hygiene services, plumbing, landscaping, pest control, air-conditioning, fire protection services, security, waterproofing and painting.

"Property Point is here to support small business. We truly want to uplift and transform," Shawn Theunissen, head of Property Point and head of corporate social responsibility for Growthpoint Properties, says.

Low representation

Property Point is particularly keen to include more black women owned businesses in its programme, which is proving a challenge in the traditionally male-dominated property industry. "There is a low representation of black women owned businesses within the broader supply chain of the property industry.
We're committed to transformation and want to be part of changing this," says Theunissen.

To be considered, entrepreneurs need to be based in Johannesburg and their businesses should at least be 51% black owned (as per the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act of 2003), have operated for at least two years and offer services needed in the property industry.

They must also be able to provide references and prior contracts of work, and prove that their business has the potential to grow and become a success. They may not currently be on another incubation programme.

Applications for this Property Point intake close on Thursday, 15 October 2015.

Property Point incubation programme applications can be downloaded from www.propertypoint.org.za or business details can be emailed to az.gro.tniopytreporp@ofni.