About Us
Find out more about who we are, what we do and why we are different.
Who we are
Women in Sectional Title (WiST) aims to unite women from all spheres of sectional title in one vibrant, collaborative community. We connect, support and develop women involved in the growing and dynamic sectional title sector of South Africa’s property industry.
What we do
WiST offers a platform for women to network, learn, share knowledge, collaborate with and inspire each other, while gaining access to the resources they need to succeed in this historically male-dominated field.
We offer networking events, educational programmes, mentoring and advocacy for:
- Managing agents;
- Real estate agents;
- Property developers;
- Property investors;
- Legal professionals;
- Trustees;
- Owners;
- Students and those aspiring to a career in sectional title;
Why we are different
WiST strives to promote diversity, equality and professionalism in sectional title in South Africa. By creating awareness of sectional title and the opportunities therein, and making it more accessible and appealing to young women, our vision is to build a skilled, representative sectional title community that is enriched by diversity and in which everyone can thrive and advance.
Members of the Steering Committee
Marina Constas
Founding member. Community-spirited specialist attorney and author.
Women in Sectional Title (WiST) founder Marina Constas is a specialist sectional title attorney and a director at BBM Law. She co-authored “Demystifying Sectional Title”, the first consumer friendly South African book on sectional title property issues.
Marina presents local and international workshops and seminars on sectional title matters. She is a regular contributor to magazine and newspaper columns and a sought-after guest on radio and television shows.
Always at the cutting edge of new developments in the community schemes legislative environment, Marina served on the board of the Community Schemes Ombud Service shortly after it was established. She is accredited with The London School of Mediation and is a Fellow of the Association of Arbitrators. She has been honoured by The Lyceum Club of Greek Women for Excellence in Law.
Marina devotes most of her spare time to her community. She has served as chairperson of the Bedfordview Community Policing Forum and the Residents Action Group (RAG), and co-founded Community Hours, an award-winning online portal that facilitates community service for teens, schools, active citizens and accredited non-profit organisations. Marina also enjoys entertaining friends and family and walking marathons. She has completed the London and Rome marathons.
Sheena Scott: 1987-2021
In Memorium
Sheena Scott was a Director at BBM Attorneys and served on the Women in Sectional Title (WiST) committee for just under a year. She received her Bachelor of Commerce Law Degree cum laude from the University of Johannesburg, whereafter she joined BBM Attorneys as a Candidate Attorney; she became a director on the 1st of July 2018.
Sheena’s sense of dedication, outstanding work ethic and keen legal mind conspired to ensure that she was well-respected by peers and clients alike. She was not only a wonderful person, she was also an honest, enthusiastic, and formidable opponent. She embraced life and always gave one hundred percent of herself in any endeavour. Not only did her interest lay not only in the field of community schemes, but her true passion was taking shape in the field of Environmental and Animal Welfare law. Sheena was a proactive participant on the WiST committee and was committed to building the platform. We were privileged to work with her and will forever hold a place for her, ensuring that her spirit lives on.
Gone too soon, but never forgotten.
Serena De Freitas
National Association of Managing Agents
Serena De Freitas is a long-standing member of the NAMA (National Association of Managing Agents) KwaZulu-Natal Committee. She describes it as a truly rewarding experience. “Sharing knowledge with other professionals in the property management industry has been invaluable,” she says.
Property management, especially Sectional Title, is Serena’s passion.
After completing her studies at the University of Cape Town and Durban University, and achieving a Bachelor of Social Sciences, majoring in Industrial Psychology and Constitutional Law, she established her own property management and financial services firms: Harlev Property Management and Harlev Financial Services. As well as being registered with the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB), Serena has also completed the Financial Services Board FAIS Regulatory Exams for Key Individuals (RE1) and Representatives (RE5) and Harlev Financial Services is registered with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).
Her zest for self-improvement and learning has led Serena to further her education wherever she can, and she has achieved a Diploma in Pastel Accounting, Bookkeeping, Human Resources and Payroll Administration. She also achieved distinctions in UCT courses on Practical Labour Law and Advanced Sectional Title & Share Block Management (CSM), as well as the Paddocks Bridging Course on the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act. Serena is a registered debt collector.
A self-confessed workaholic, she spends her (rare) spare time with her teenage daughter and husband, and, occasionally, a book.
