Pretoria: Government has launched a programme that seeks to expand inclusive economic participation and transformation within the real estate sector through skills development and employment creation. Launched in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, on Wednesday, the Real Estate Learnership Programme will equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to operate effectively within the sector.
According to South African Government News Agency, the programme is a collaborative initiative by different public and private sector institutions, including Mpumalanga Public Works, Roads and Transport; Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA); and Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA). It seeks to expand inclusive economic participation and transformation within the real estate sector through skills development and employment creation and equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to operate effectively within the sector. The initiative also plays an important role in contributing to closing critical skills gaps by developing a pipeline of competent and work-ready property practitioners.
Speaking at the launch of the programme, Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane emphasized that meaningful transformation of South Africa's property sector cannot happen if young people, particularly those from historically disadvantaged communities, remain outside the industry's economic opportunities. Simelane stated that transformation involves more than just changing who occupies positions in the property sector; it's about changing who has access to the opportunities that create those positions.
The Minister highlighted the government's ongoing commitment to youth, women, and people with disabilities, noting that it extends beyond commemorative months to creating an enabling environment for skill development and meaningful economic participation. While the property industry represents significant economic value, it remains largely inaccessible, predominantly controlled by a minority. Simelane affirmed that with entities like PPRA at the center, working with partners, the programme will significantly impact transforming the industry.
Simelane further explained that the programme aims to take young people beyond theoretical training by exposing them to actual workplace environments. She referenced Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu's 2026 State of the Province Address, which emphasized placing young people at the center of economic initiatives and equipping them with skills required by the labor market. Simelane stated that the launch reinforces the Premier's statement and demonstrates that government collaboration can address the challenge of alarming youth unemployment.
Mpumalanga is the second province where the programme is being rolled out, following its initial launch in KwaZulu-Natal in March. Simelane noted that the government intends to expand the initiative nationally. The Memorandum of Understanding between the PPRA, Mpumalanga Provincial Government, and Services SETA will advance transformation within the real property sector.
The programme will also provide support beyond the completion of training, with the PPRA expected to offer post-training and Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprise (SMME) support, including structural and business incubation assistance to help emerging Black- and youth-owned property enterprises become sustainable. Simelane added that top-performing learners who successfully complete the programme will have opportunities through the PPRA to undertake the Professional Designated Examination (PDE 5), enabling them to progress from candidate practitioners to full principal estate agents.
She also highlighted that the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4 qualification in real estate is nationally recognized, allowing graduates to pursue diverse careers in alternative property sectors such as property administration, bond origination, and real estate valuation. Simelane concluded by stating that the programme represents a deliberate effort to open doors for young people, viewing them not just as beneficiaries of government programmes but as future professionals, entrepreneurs, employers, and leaders of the property sector.
