MAIN IMAGE: Thato Ramaili, PPRA CEO
Editor
Just over a year ago, Thato Ramili, owner of Loara Realty and then a serving member of the PPRA board, stepped up to lead the Regulator as acting CEO. Towards the end of last year, she threw her hat in the ring, and on Thursday, March 14th, she was appointed CEO.
Taking on the challenge
The erstwhile EAAB wasn’t known for its efficiency, and its successor, the PPRA, took over on very unsteady ground in 2022. The problems began with then-CEO Mamodupi Mohlala-Mulaudzi, who ended up facing seven charges, including, but not limited to, irregular appointments, irregular payments, contravention of the Pension Fund legislation, and financial misconduct relating to the appointment of a catering company. She was fired in December of that year.
Deli Nkambule stepped into the role of acting CEO and was credited with changing the atmosphere at the PPRA from confrontation to consultation and cooperation. That said, the Regulator faced several serious challenges in terms of uprooting corruption, staffing issues, severe inefficiencies and a very frustrated industry. It was in this climate that Ramaili took over the reins in 2023.
Less than six months later, annual wage negotiations at the PPRA turned sour. NEHAWU members went on strike, and there were reports of public, personal attacks on Ramaili. Needless to say, the strike further hampered already lagging service delivery, with exams thrown into chaos and the issuing of FFCs experiencing serious delays.
Making progress amidst trying circumstances
Despite the ongoing obstacles, it is undeniable that, under Ramaili’s leadership, the FFC backlog has been significantly reduced, inspections of undesirable business practices have been undertaken en masse, and the overall efficiency of the Regulator has improved. Two big projects were also launched: the Transformation Property Partnership in collaboration with Eskom, the Property Sector Charter Council, and Claremart (more on this in our next issue), and the initiative with Rawson Property Group.
These achievements are a testament to Ramaili’s commitment and the dedication of the PPRA team.
The way forward
“I am truly honoured and excited to continue to lead the incredible PPRA team into the future. Together, we will innovate, grow, and achieve greatness. Our stakeholders will remain our top priority, and we will continue to serve them with dedication and professionalism.
Our core mandate remains to accelerate transformation in the real estate sector. I am particularly thrilled that the private sector has heeded the call and that, as the Regulator, we won’t be tackling this mammoth task alone”.
