Managing agents' credibility in spotlight at indaba

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This is according to Marina Constas, specialist sectional title attorney at BBM Attorneys. "The organising committee of the KwaZulu-Natal arm of the National Association of Managing Agents pulled out all the stops for this year's very successful, eventful and informative indaba," she comments. "It is heartening to see how far NAMA has come, and to see the burgeoning support from around the country."

Managing agents from around South Africa recently converged in Durban for the annual NAMA Indaba. This year's speakers included Brian Chaplog, head of the Estate Agency Affairs board, Themba Mthetwa, the Community Scheme Ombudsman, and Constas.

Ombud's role

Among the issues that were comprehensively addressed at the indaba was that of managing agents' credibility and the need to professionalise the industry. "The Ombud's role in community schemes and mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism were also issues in the spotlight this year," she says.

Constas discussed traditional methods of conflict resolution in sectional title, as well as the Community Schemes Ombud Service Act and Regulations, and the option to mediate. "With the costs of litigation and arbitration becoming prohibitive, mediation is becoming an increasingly popular alternative for resolving disputes in the South African sectional title industry. In addition to saving money, mediation also saves an increasingly precious commodity in a fast paced world - time," she notes.