19 Oct 2014

Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Lebonaamang Mokalake has called for all stakeholders in the real estate sector to meet regularly to introspect about developments within the sector.

Mr Mokalake said it was of great importance for Batswana to recognise that real estate was one of most important drivers of the economy, which required due care and diligence.

Officially opening a two-day conference hosted by Real Estate Institute of Botswana (REIB) and Ba Isago University College on October 16, Mr Mokalake said real estate was the land Batswana plough, feed their livestock from, undertake developments in, work and manufacture in.

“Truly without knowledge of it as the most important asset we possess, we will not be able to reap its true value,” he said.

He said the partnership played by REIB and Ba Isago in the development of the sector and the profession was pertinent in its uniqueness of bringing together the professionals and drivers of the industry in the form of REIB and the trainers who produce human resources for the sector in the form of Ba Isago University College.

“This must be encouraged as it has the potential of creating synchrony and cohesion in terms of the practice in the sector capacity development to facilitate strategies in the sector,” he said.

Mr Mokalake further stated that the real estate conference has been a much needed platform in Botswana, adding that a conference such as this one where government, estate agents, architects, developers, academics, financiers and the public who invest and consume services and goods from the sector could convene is certainly important.

The conference’s theme was Trends and Challenges of Real Estate in Botswana, which the minister said provides an opportunity to discuss topical issues and reflect on the future of the industry.

The aim of the conference was to address practical issues affecting the sector and the profession. ENDS