MAIN IMAGE: Lew Geffen, Chairman Sotheby’s International Realty, South Africa, and author
Staff writer
Lew Geffen has been in the real estate industry since 1972 and is recognised as one of the leading experts in property in South Africa. Lew and Sandy Geffen opened their flagship office, Lew Geffen Estates, in 1982 in Johannesburg. Over the next 20 years, the company became a market leader in Johannesburg, with over 200 agents operating in 12 branches.
Geffen was also responsible for negotiating the Master Franchise for Sotheby’s International Realty Master Franchise for South Africa and holds many directorships in associated real estate and allied industries.
Now exploring new territory, Geffen has written an autobiography that’s currently on the shelves at Exclusive Books.
Soul Mandate
Born in the same year as Prince Charles and the state of Israel, Lew Geffen was always destined to have an eventful and controversial life.
Driven by a maverick spirit and an acute eye for business, Geffen starts as a hawker, then moves into construction before shaking up the South African real-estate industry by launching Lew Geffen Estates.
A fiercely independent thinker, Lew knows no limits. Living much of his life by the seat of his pants, he embarks on a wild ride of success, securing a Sotheby’s International Realty master’s license to become a major player in the local property market.
Along the way, there are highs and lows: he’s fired by his mother, Aida, gets harassed by the mafia, sells Nelson Mandela’s house, offers a mansion to Princess Diana, plays golf alongside Rafael Nadal and navigates the fallout of a murder at his company’s annual convention.
The tale of Lew’s extraordinary life unfolds with candour, laced with chutzpah, warmth and his wicked sense of humour.
Lew’s book is retailing for R330 here.
