Page 9 - TYSON PROPERTIES: 20 YEARS AND COUNTING

MAKING INROADS INTO A VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF REAL

INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY ESTATE

YUNUS RANDEREE SIMON BRAY (Former CEO of Private Property)

With land around the Durban
port becoming increasingly he future of real estate belongs maintaining a rare empathy has dynamic individuals entering
scarce, developers are adapting by to those who can blend values helped him lead Tyson Properties the sector, Tyson Properties will
repurposing or building to spec in Tand vision, humanity and to double-digit growth, even remain the leading light when it
surrounding areas: “It’s purpose- innovation. Tyson Properties during some of the country’s most comes to leveraging tools without
driven development. Developers exemplifies this duality as does its economically challenging years. losing touch with people.
saw the shortage coming and built founder Chis Tyson.
ahead of the curve,” he adds. He has always been a first- AI is a big game changer. AI
South Africa needs mover. When Private Property doesn’t wait to be told what to do.
Randeree keeps a close eye on entrepreneurs like him - those first launched, he was one of the It anticipates, acts, and adapts
national trends and both Cape who build on strong principles, strongest advocates for industry- to support agents in proactive
Town and Johannesburg are see opportunity in every wide participation, believing and intelligent ways. Picture
also seeing strong activity he challenge, and are excited by firmly that collaboration would an AI system that doesn’t just
notes: “Cape Town was quiet for innovation not for its own elevate the entire real estate respond, but initiates: scheduling
a long time, but it’s come back sake, but for its ability to serve ecosystem. He professionalised appointments, drafting market
aggressively. The commercial people better. his business early, implemented insights, and even engaging early-
sector there is thriving, especially cutting-edge digital marketing stage leads on behalf of agents.
in key nodes. Johannesburg has There have been monumental tools, and cultivated a high-
always been a giant. It’s vast, and shifts in real estate over the past performance culture rooted in By embracing technology but
there’s demand across multiple two decades. keeping a human heartbeat, I
Yunus Randeree, KZN’s Top Agent 2025 industrial zones. It’s a different I’ve had the privilege of working service, values, and community. believe that Chris and his team
scale, but the opportunities are alongside Chris for much of EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH will be an even bigger business
waZulu-Natal’s commercial huge if you know the market.” that. We share a commitment to TECHNOLOGY success story. 
property market has seen a Looking ahead, Randeree is
K marked resurgence post- focused on growing Tyson’s transformation. What defines Chris’s leadership
Covid, and Yunus Randeree, commercial footprint nationally: From my earliest days, Chris is his belief in people. He’s
Tyson Properties top agent for “There’s a gap. No one is really offered his time and insight encouraged his agents to become
commercial property as well as a owning the commercial space without judgment.I remember the best versions of themselves
double diamond agent, is on the across South Africa.” arriving at our early meetings and created an environment
frontlines. in a City Golf with no air where top performers thrive.
When it comes to advising on conditioning. Despite my
“There’s a lot happening. End- investment property, Yunus is This success has been
users are consolidating, moving unequivocal: “Location, location, inexperience and lack of budget, underpinned by a strategic and
Chris treated me like a peer.
from multiple distribution centres location. That’s rule number one.” intentional use of technology, not
to single, larger spaces. From the That defined our collaboration to replace agents, but to enhance
investment side, the mindset has Beyond that, he comments that and shaped my own journey in their effectiveness.
matured. People aren’t chasing investors need to look carefully at this sector.
ridiculously high yields anymore. tenant profiles, lease terms, and Technology is no longer optional
They’re looking for sustainable intrinsic property value. “You want AN INNOVATOR WITH HEART and I agree with Chris that it
returns,” he observes. good, reliable tenants. Triple net I believe that Chris is a visionary. empowers individuals to provide
leases are ideal and, of course, it better service, more efficiently,
The KZN region, especially all boils down to your net return He built a brand from nothing, and with greater personalisation.
Durban, remains a hotbed of on investment. Big companies also and he did so with grace, strategy,
opportunity, despite challenges. need specific features like dock- and a deep sense of elegance. Here, Chris has always been
Mini warehouses, light industrial level access, warehouse height, and Real estate is tough, but Chris ahead of the curve and, as real
users, and textile businesses still truck access. These are all critical always kept his head. His ability estate becomes increasingly
thrive in areas around Durban. factors in industrial property.”  to remain goal-oriented while professionalised, with younger, Simon Bray

ADDING VALUE TO CROSS-BORDER TRANSACTIONS

he number of foreign house “We’ve got offices in about 20 plus Johannesburg, KZN, and beyond cost-effective service. For many Lawson notes. “We ensure clients
buyers is on the up, with the countries, and South Africa has because many South Africans clients, navigating South Africa’s are properly regulated in their
T Western Cape emerging as been a core part of our business are emigrating. Frequently, the foreign exchange framework country of residence, and we
the top choice for non-resident for 21 years. What we do is help real estate agent is the first point can be daunting. Currencies take care of all Reserve Bank
buyers, according to Lightstone. people move money in and out of contact for someone about Direct provides peace of mind by reporting. If money is brought
With the imminent opening of of the country in line with local to leave the country. They’re managing the compliance process in under the wrong balance
the Club Med resort on the KZN regulations, with a strong focus selling their home, and we step meticulously. of payments category, it could
North Coast and the launch of on the real estate market.” in to help externalise their funds. cause problems down the line,
luxury estates nearby, this trend We often see scenarios where “We’ve got local bank accounts particularly when someone wants
is expected to continue its upward The company’s longstanding both the buyer and the seller are across the world,” Lawson to sell their property years later
trajectory. relationship with Tyson foreign nationals, just at different explains. “Say someone’s moving and move the funds out.”
Properties has grown from a to Mauritius. Instead of figuring
In light of this, the demand shared understanding of this stages of their journey. One may out how to buy rupees, they The synergy between Currencies
for a reliable, compliant foreign niche. “Because Tyson Properties be arriving to begin a new life just send their rands to a local Direct and Tyson Properties
exchange partner is greater than concludes transactions in the in South Africa, while the other account we open in their name. is clear. As Lawson puts it:
ever says Matt Lawson, a director upper echelon of the property is heading home after 10 or 15 We handle the conversion and “We’re not estate agents, but
at Currencies Direct. market, it makes sense that we’ve years.” ensure the money gets to the we understand how hard they
partnered with them for years,” Currencies Direct effectively right place, like the conveyancer work. Our role is to make their
He explains that Currencies
Direct is a global business that says Lawson. replaces the need for traditional abroad. It’s seamless.” job easier and to make sure their
plays a vital role in facilitating “We’re on the ground in banking processes in these “Anti-money laundering clients are taken care of, every
cross-border property Cape Town, Garden Route, instances offering a more compliance is huge for us,” step of the way.” 
transactions in South Africa. personalised, efficient, and

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