Reside Summit 2025: Real Conversations, Real Solutions for a Residential Sector in Transition

As South Africa’s residential property sector enters a new era of opportunity and disruption, Reside Summit 2025 returns with a renewed focus: tackling the complex realities of a changing market while driving inclusive and sustainable housing solutions.

The summit, now in its third year, has become a vital convening point for the people shaping Southern Africa’s residential investment and development space. And this year, the stakes are higher—and the conversations deeper.

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“While the recent reduction in the repo rate offers considerable prospects for both buyers and sellers within South Africa’s residential property market, it simultaneously presents inherent risks that necessitate careful management,” notes Marius Muller, Chief Executive Officer of Soho Properties and Reside Committee Member."

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“As stakeholders navigate these transformations, strategic planning will be imperative to cultivate sustainable growth within this vital sector of the economy.”‍

This statement sets the tone for Reside 2025: we cannot afford to be reactive. The sector needs insight, foresight, and coordination. And that's exactly what the Summit promises to deliver.

1. The Politics of Land: Reform or Power Grab?

With land reform debates reigniting, Reside opens a timely conversation around the implications of South Africa’s Expropriation Act.

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“The Expropriation Act is not rote reform; it is a power grab dressed up as justice,” says Martin van Staden, Head of Policy at the Free Market Foundation (FMF), who will unpack the tension between constitutional rights and political expediency in his keynote titled "South Africa’s Post-Apartheid Crossroads: Expropriation Act or Constitutionalism?"

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This session invites developers, financiers, and public sector leaders to interrogate how legal uncertainty could impact investor appetite and development delivery.

2. PropTech & AI: Evolution, Not Fear

Across the world, real estate is embracing digital transformation—and South Africa must not lag.

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“Smart solutions aren’t a luxury anymore—they’re a necessity,” says Jess Moyer, Director: Strategy & Research at Cushman & Wakefield | Broll Properties, who will lead the session "PropTech Evolution: Smart Solutions to Drive Efficiencies and Scale."

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The digital transformation theme continues with Ross Fitzcharles, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Preferental, joined by two of the country’s leading PropTech pioneers:

• Schalk van der Merwe, Chief Executive Officer of WeConnectU
• Waldo Marcus, Chief Executive Officer of TPN Credit Bureau and MRI Software South Africa

Schalk asserts: “Meeting the needs of the always-connected customer is essential. It’s inevitable—embrace tech or become irrelevant.”
Waldo adds: “By striking this balance and implementing robust data protection measures, organisations can harness the power of AI while preserving brand authenticity and competitive edge.”

Together, they’ll explore how technology is reshaping ownership, tenant relationships, and the economics of residential development.

3. Student Accommodation Crisis: Time for a System Reset

Delayed NSFAS payments are no longer just a student issue—they’re destabilising the private student accommodation sector, threatening investor confidence and disrupting education.

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“A comprehensive solution needs to be found immediately,” says Kagisho Mamabolo, Chief Executive Officer of the Private Student Housing Association (PSHA), who will lead a session on urgent collaboration between landlords, government, and financial administrators.

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Without intervention, the country risks a student housing collapse that could ripple through the entire residential market.

4. Rethinking Community: Not Just Building Units, But Building Belonging

Housing is more than a physical structure—it’s a social foundation. Innocent Mabusela, Communications and Stakeholder Relations Manager at Jozi My Jozi, leads a crucial discussion on designing for belonging and well-being, particularly in urban and inner-city environments.

This session will explore the concept of housing as a connector, not just a commodity.

5. Short-Term Rentals: Opportunity or Overreach?

The explosive growth of short-term rentals has drawn both entrepreneurial interest and regulatory scrutiny. The Department of Tourism is finalising a national policy framework that could reshape the landscape entirely.

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Miguel Martins, Head: Policy & Stakeholder Engagement, SASTRA representing the South African Short Term Rental Association (SASTRA), will tackle the complex tension between short- and long-term models in his session “Short-Term vs. Long-Term Rentals: Balancing Market Trends, Investment Opportunities, and Regulatory Hurdles.”

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With new rules on the horizon, this conversation comes at a critical moment for hosts, investors, and policymakers alike.

6. Public-Private Partnerships: Time to Deliver

The call for private-sector participation in public housing isn’t new—but action has lagged.

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“The private sector being patriotic would answer this call of partnership,” said Mr Albert Mammoga Seabi, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements in the National Assembly, during a recent engagement hosted by the CSIR and Moladi.

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At Reside 2025, this call to action takes center stage with contributions from:

• George Phiri, General Manager: Lending Division at the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC)
• Karabelo Pooe, General Manager at the National Association of Social Housing Organisations (NASHO)
  
• Motebang Matsela, Construction Project Manager at the Department of Human Settlements
  
• Zodidi Meyiswa, Senior Advisor: Human Settlements at the South African Local Government Association (SALGA)
  
  
  

Together, they’ll explore the mechanics, risks, and ROI of PPPs that can deliver scale, quality, and speed.

7. Multi-Family Rental: A Rising Star in Residential Investment

With 23% of South African households renting, and institutional appetite growing, the multi-family sector is gaining real traction.

Myles Kritzinger, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Multi-Residential Rental Association (SAMRRA), will share insights from their latest research—compiled in partnership with the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa (CAHF)—highlighting:

• High occupancy rates
  
• Strong rental collections
  
• Growing transparency attracting institutional capital

The exclusive VIP Investor Breakfast will offer deeper analysis and deal-flow conversations for serious stakeholders in this resilient asset class.

A Vision for All: Housing That Works Across the Spectrum
From social and affordable housing to student living, multi-family rentals, and retirement accommodation, Reside Summit 2025 continues to prioritise housing for all.

This year’s theme reflects a sharpened focus—not just on ideas, but on action.

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"We’re not here to admire the problem. We’re here to solve it—with partners who are ready to build, invest, regulate, and innovate,” says Debbie Tagg, Chief Executive Officer of SAHARA (Southern African Housing and Residential Alliance) and Convenor of the Reside Summit.

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With a packed programme, influential voices, and a strong foundation of collaboration, Reside 2025 promises to move the needle.