MAIN IMAGE: Happy Senyarelo – owner of Royalty Kingdom Properties
Senior writer
Happy Senyarelo, owner of Royalty Kingdom Properties based in Soweto, entered real estate via the banking industry, working at FNB, Absa and Nedbank, specialising in home loans. His understanding of the home loan process was so deep that it heightened his fascination with property that he decided to study for his property practitioner degree in 2007. He believed this would deepen his ability to process home loans even more efficiently. At the time, he worked as a supervisor for Home Grown Mortgage Originators, assisting clients in securing finance.
Five years later, he began selling properties as an agent, mostly, he says, selling off-plan apartments. “After three years, it was time to explore other types of properties and the sales game. I was fortunate to secure a sales manager position at Nest Haven Properties, where I gained enormous experience. There, I managed a team of 10 agents, was tasked with recruiting new agents, and was also a coach and trainer. Those two years gave me so much confidence and experience that when I joined Keller Williams, I did so as an associate.”
It was Keller Williams that took Happy to new heights. He says the training he received there, plus exposure to the market, was “overwhelming, but in a good way.” It was then that he reset his goal, which was to become a principal. He also knew he was ready to run his own agency, but there was just one more step he felt he needed to take: working as an independent agent, which he did at Rags2Riches for one year.
In 2020, Happy opened his agency despite it being the first of the Covid years. He registered Royalty Kingdom Properties and began trading. Some four years later, he can boast that he has lived his dream and serves as an example to his children, who have also entered the sector. He also credits his wife, Busisiwe, for “being a pillar of strength along my journey.”
Q: What was the challenge of moving from the home loan environment into property sales?
It was an easy move, actually, because I had so much home loan experience. What was more challenging was acquiring my first Fidelity Fund Certificate, issued by the Estate Agency Affairs Board in 2016. It was a difficult period since few blacks were in the industry then, so I struggled to find a mentor. I had no choice but to throw myself in the deep end and learn to swim with the territorial sharks, surviving purely on my merit. I feel that this really gave me a good reputation as a hard worker prepared to climb all obstacles.
Q: How difficult was it for you to complete your studies?
My NQF 4 was supported by Corrie from Van Deventer Attorneys and CBI Attorneys, who sponsored me through logbook fees—they are still involved in my business. I was also assisted by Louise from Louise Tonkins Attorneys, who provided me with training in the legal aspects of property. Louise introduced me to the ‘Guru of the Game’, Trevor Gaw, who became my mentor. He exposed me to monthly training sessions, which allowed me to complete a full year in Business Leadership.
My dedication and commitment to these programmes led me to become one of the most successful students, which was recognised by REBOSA when it sponsored me in its Business Leader programme.
Q: What is your main focus in terms of property?
I focus on varying types of properties, from low-cost housing to luxury estates. I also sell quite a number of apartments and vacant stands. I make sure that all the properties in my portfolio cater to all types of home seekers, even those seeking farms.
Q: What is the greatest reward from the role of a property practitioner?
There are many rewards. Of course, I enjoy being able to find the right buyers for my sellers and being part of their homeownership journey, but there are other more personal rewards. For example, watching my sons and daughters develop in this industry is something truly exciting. Their success is my success, and I enjoy seeing their dedication and hard work. Their commitment to understanding all the angles of this industry is exciting, and I predict that their dream to own their own agency will come true in the near future.
Q: As a black property professional, do you find that the transformation of the real estate industry has progressed?
I do see some progress, especially as the PPRA is doing everything possible to promote transformation. Although there is only a slight increase in the number of previously disadvantaged people becoming agents, at least it is on the rise. I think the biggest problem is the non-compliance aspect; it’s a tough one to overcome.
I try to assist where I can to drive the transformation agenda, encouraging others to explore real estate as a career. I think this is something that all black property practitioners should be doing.
Q: How do you play a role as a mentor?
When I opened the agency, I made it very clear that I wanted to recruit staff who had zero knowledge of the real estate industry. There was a good reason for this: one has to bear in mind that RE/MAX, Rawson, and Keller Williams require some experience, a car, and a laptop, which is a barrier for upcoming agents.
I am proud to say that some of the agents I have mentored have been so successful and committed that they qualified to join the big gun agencies. I continue to mentor most of the agents who work for my agency, all of whom can boast many success stories. Three agents have recently been able to buy their own cars, and two have bought their own homes.
I accept that some will leave to join franchises, and that is perfectly acceptable and as it should be. Mentorship has to be generous, and there is a time when you realise that a new agent might learn more from working in a bigger agency. That was certainly my case. For now, I am happy to help them get their feet wet and allow them to move on to greater things and achievements.
Mohlala Nagana will never forget the years spent at Royalty Kingdom Properties: “You provided me with invaluable skills at no charge and taught me valuable life lessons.”
Khosi Nkonyana says Happy is passionate and kind: “You paved the way for me, so much so that today I have been able to afford my own home. You always want to see other people progressing.”
