Video Library
Browse our selection of videos
Sectional Title Solutions - The Smart Scheme Solution
In this WiST Soundbite, Marina Constas from WiST interviews Maryna Wiesner and Melissa Ghannam from Sectional Title Solutions (STS). They tell us more about the turnkey value-add solutions that STS offers community schemes.
Sectional Title Solutions is focused on providing value-add solutions to community schemes nationwide that reduce cost, generate revenue and increase property value.
Solutions offered include innovative Funding and Treasury, Efficient Energy, Smart Technology, Legal Advisory and a host of other service solutions. Building sustainable relationships, helping our communities thrive.
Visit their website: www.stsolutions.co.za
What should property managers focus on in the next 12-24 months?
In this clip, Marina Constas from WiST talks to Danie van der Merwe from WeconnectU about the solutions they offer property managers and what the focus of property managers should be for the rest of 2022 and 2023.
WeconnectU offers the most advanced end-to-end body corporate and HOA management solution that addresses all core business processes of professional community management. We help property managers overcome their greatest challenges: Compliance, manageability, scalability, profitability, and empower them to create optimal efficiency and complete transparency.
WeconnectU – Transforming the Property Management industry.www.weconnectu.co.za
DetailsDealing with conflict in sectional title schemes
Urban densification is the order of the day and according to Lightstone Properties, Sectional Title Schemes are showing steady growth in a difficult economic property cycle with apartment blocks rising like anthills all over South Africa. This is resulting in an increasing number of people living near each other as high density living becomes more common.
Ironically, the closer we live to each other, the further we often grow apart. Conflicts within community schemes can affect the soul of the scheme; therefore, the way in which disputes are resolved becomes important for our peace, health and general well-being.
For our next webinar, we considered conflict in sectional title schemes: How do we best cope with combative trustees and troublesome owners.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, CIA, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
The value of great industry partners
For our May webinar, we offered the floor to our sponsors: ZDFin, CIA, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
We are exceptionally lucky to have key players in our industry who support the vision and initiatives of WiST; their support and generosity means the world to us and makes this platform possible.
Marina Constas led this discussion about industry trends, our partners’ challenges in the sectional title industry, and their role in supporting managing agents and trustees. In addition, we picked their brains about the future of the industry and if they are planning any innovative solutions that we should know about.
This webinar took place on 25 May 2023.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, CIA, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
Should you go solar in sectional title?
Amidst the national energy crisis, the need for owners in complexes to install solar systems has increased. Unlike a free-standing house, an owner does not have the luxury to decide to install solar without seeking consultation or approval from the body corporate, but what type of approval is necessary, and how can the trustees streamline a policy resolution where everyone is happy?
At the July 2023 webinar, we talked to industry leaders in solar to understand the system's infrastructure. We delved into relevant legislation to keep you updated with all available options.
This webinar took place on 20 July 2023.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, CIA, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
Dealing with tenants in sectional title schemes
The subject of tenants residing in sectional title buildings has always posed interesting legal questions: Can tenants be evicted by the body corporate? Can owners be forced to evict tenants who do not stick to the rules of the scheme? When does the rental tribunal get involved with disputes in complexes, if at all, and how exactly does the eviction process work?
We were interested in finding out about the current rental market trends in community schemes and directed our questions to Marlon Shevelew from Marlon Shevelew and Associates, a well-known Cape Town attorney, who specialises in this space.
This webinar took place on 22 June 2023.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, CIA, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
How to go green in sectional title
Most of us are aware of our responsibility to reduce our carbon footprints and to ‘go green’. We have heard of green buildings and know that we should be doing more - but how?
Lorraine Jenks shared with us how it is possible and easy to build, furnish and equip residential Sectional Title buildings with only eco products and services. Lorraine served as the Contracts and Procurement Manager for the 82 hotels in the Southern Suns chain. She is a thought leader and winner of multiple awards on the subjects of climate change, responsible lifestyle, sustainability, and environmental greening trends for 50 years.
Watch this webinar to see this global speaker in action and to find out why she feels that recycling plastic is a waste of time!
This webinar took place on 24 August 2023.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, CIA, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
What you should know before buying into sectional title
There are three possible major defects to be found in every sectional title scheme: Roof problems, cracks, and the most common defect, damp. It is important for buyers to know exactly what issues around these defects may exist and for trustees, it is critical to understand what maintenance work needs to be carried out.
Maintenance and inspections are key contributors to the optimum functioning of schemes and the preservation of owners’ property investments. However, these issues are often not prioritised due to the cost and time required and a lack of knowledge as to the necessary processes.
For this webinar, we hosted Marisia Robus, the first woman building inspector to hold a position on the National Association of Building Inspectors of SA (NABOSA) Board, a qualified ITC roof inspector, and the CEO of Gauteng Property Inspections.
Together we unpacked what you need to know about maintenance inspections, snag lists, construction errors, and due diligence reports for residential developments.
This webinar took place on 21 September 2023.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, CIA, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
What you should know before buying into sectional title
It is a common problem that owners of sectional title units were not informed of the costs, responsibilities, and rules before buying into a scheme. In most cases, this leaves them ill-equipped to deal with the structures involved in regulating and administrative sectional title living.
It would make life so much easier if buyers into a sectional title scheme were better educated. Often, estate agents are blamed for providing no or incorrect information to inexperienced buyers. The buyers' subsequent illegal or inappropriate conduct becomes a problem for the trustees and owners to deal with.
Our guest this month was Tanya Sakota, named the top RE/MAX agent in Southern Africa for 2021 with nearly two decades of experience in property sales. Marina Constas talked to Tanya about the questions buyers should be asking the agent and what can be expected from estate agents.
This webinar took place on 19 October 2023.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, CIA, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
How to hone your EQ to grow your professional IQ
Are you interested in unlocking your full potential and that of your team?
Trustees and managing agents often find themselves feeling stuck, facing low morale and seemingly insurmountable impasses within their schemes. To stay relevant and future-fit in the workplace, it's crucial for women to continually refine their emotional intelligence (EQ) skills.
Our guest this month was Dr. Sharon King Gabrielides who is the founder and CEO of Key Steps Corporate Training. She is a dynamic facilitator, speaker and executive coach with over 25 years of experience in leadership development and organisational transformation.
Sharon shared her insights and extensive knowledge to assist you in navigating the realm of community schemes. Whether you're seeking personal development guidance or aiming to expand your knowledge, this engaging webinar is the ideal destination for you.
This webinar took place on 23 November 2023.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, CIA, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
How to register with the PPRA as a managing agent
At this webinar, we reviewed the process required to register managing agents.
There are a number of steps managing agents must take to register as property professionals.
Johlene Wasserman and Debra Vial from the PPRA joined us for our last webinar of 2023 to talk us through the requirements and process, and to answer our questions.
Watch this webinar to gain insights into the registration process and understand the educational materials expected by the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA), specifically designed to meet the requirements of managing agents.
This webinar took place on 14 December 2023.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, CIA, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
Let's make a few New Year's sectional title resolutions.
Wondering about the ideal New Year's resolutions for a sectional title building?
During this webinar, we raised some compelling suggestions, centering around advancements in community living, efficiency, management, sustainability, and compliance across various stakeholders.
We, along with our guests, delved into impactful game-changers that enhance communal living in this transformative discussion.
From bolstering security measures and creating welcoming reception areas to implementing lively recycling initiatives, embracing rainwater harvesting practices, and organising community events, we've explored essential elements that promise to enhance the quality of life for everyone in our schemes!
This webinar took place on Thursday 25 January 2024.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
Sectional title living in the age of electric mobility
In this webinar, we explored the dynamic landscape of electric vehicles (EVs) in sectional title schemes.
Discover the challenges and opportunities that come with the increasing prevalence of EVs and learn how communities can effectively manage the integration of evolving infrastructure. From reimagining common areas to addressing the specific needs of residents, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages for building managers, owners, and residents alike.
Our guest was Angelique Mentis, the Founder/CEO of thatsmyspot and Parking Spotz, who is a a trailblazer based in Sydney, Australia, and specialises in parking solutions for strata (Australian sectional title) and commercial buildings. She also serves as the President of Parking Australia and is deeply passionate about all aspects of electric vehicles.
This webinar took place on 22 February 2024.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
Forecasting Tomorrow: Insights into South African Sectional Title Trends
At this webinar, WiST's founder Marina Constas shared a decade's worth of expertise to unveil forward-thinking predictions about Sectional Title trends in South Africa for 2024.
Watch this webinar to gain invaluable foresight into the evolving landscape, empowering owners, trustees, and managing agents to navigate with confidence.
This webinar took place on 19 March 2024.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, PKF Octagon, and Multiprof.
Unveiling the risk: Trustees navigating schemes towards insolvency
Could body corporate trustees be unwittingly steering their schemes towards insolvency?
While a scheme might seem to be operating smoothly on the surface, a closer look at its records could reveal a different reality.
This insightful webinar featured Alistair Scholtz from PKF Octagon and Mike Addison from Addsure. They shed light on why trustees may not fully grasp the legal implications of handling financing arrears and renovation projects.
Mounting debt levels are pushing schemes dangerously close to insolvency as they resort to borrowing without anticipating special levies. Regrettably, the path to financial recovery is often fraught with challenges.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, PKF Octagon, and Multiprof.
Demystifying building, zoning, and development plans
Trustees, owners, and managing agents must strategise! Understanding the layout within the scheme's boundaries is crucial for managing expectations regarding legal compliance. What distinguishes building plans from a sectional title site development plan?
Where do zoning plans come into play, and does the body corporate need plans for exclusive use areas and parking bays?
In this webinar, we clarified these questions by hosting guests Jennie Allison and Inez Ferreira from Multiprof Property Intelligence.
This webinar took place on Thursday 23 May 2024.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, PKF Octagon, and Multiprof.
Trustee and arrear levy lifelines
Many schemes all over the country find themselves caught up in a cash flow deficit position. Trustees face difficult decisions and often projects relating to energy efficiency, improvements to the building, and even basic repairs and maintenance are left on the back burner. This leads to loss of asset value which is a dangerous path to navigate.
How can trustees maintain operational functionality without overburdening paying owners?
This month we chatted Fausto Di Palma from Sectional Title Solutions who elaborated on the bespoke funding structures for bodies corporate.
This webinar took place on Thursday 20 June 2024.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, PKF Octagon, and Multiprof.
Mediation in sectional title
The Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) offers free mediation and adjudication to resolve disputes in complexes. However, for those seeking a quicker resolution, even at a reasonable cost, the Women in Sectional Title platform in association with ADR/Ubuntu now provides an ideal solution.
We have a team of qualified female mediators experienced in Sectional Title matters who can conduct online mediation within a few days. If mediation doesn't resolve the issue, the applicant can still approach CSOS for adjudication, having already attempted internal mediation.
This efficient mediation process can address numerous issues, including arrear levy collections. Time is of the essence, and people need timely resolutions. Mediators can facilitate settlement agreements quickly, helping to resolve matters efficiently.
In our July webinar, we spoke to Advocate Frank Payne from ADR/Ubuntu to explore this exciting mediation option available through this exciting platform.
This webinar took place on Tuesday 23 July 2024.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, PKF Octagon, and Multiprof.
The growing traction of EMAs in sectional title and why it's beneficial
Being a trustee is undoubtedly a demanding and time-consuming role. Increasingly, owners in many complexes are choosing to appoint Executive Managing Agents (EMAs) to work alongside Managing Agents in sectional title schemes.
These agents provide crucial support to trustees, bringing the expertise needed to restore and maintain buildings while effectively managing complex projects. But how do EMAs differ from the traditional role of Managing Agents?
For our August webinar, we spoke to Taylor Daniels, Head of Property at ZDFin to delve deeper into this growing industry trend. This webinar took place on 22 August 2024.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, PKF Octagon, and Multiprof.
Current challenges at CSOS: Good or bad news first?
The Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) announced an important launch on 31 October 2024. The incoming acting Chief Ombud, Ms. Kedibone Phetla, discussed the current backlog of over 3,000 cases and outlined the steps CSOS is taking to enhance process automation and increase adjudication capacity in response to a recent surge in disputes.
In a press statement released on 16 August, Ms Phetla reaffirmed CSOS's commitment to addressing stakeholder queries following the standards set out in the Service Charter.
This webinar took place on Thursday 19 September 2024.
Thank you to our sponsors: ZDFin, Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
Improving your life through strong workplace mental health
October is the month of mental health awareness and the World Health Organisation is working with partners to stress the vital connection between mental health and work. By investing efforts, resources and interventions at work, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive at work and in life. This month we talked to Joanna Kleovoulou, a clinical psychologist in private practice who unpacked some helpful tools to assist in dealing with mild or debilitating symptoms faced by women feeling stressed, stuck, anxious, alone, helpless or just downright down in the dumps.
This webinar took place on Thursday 24 October 2024.
Thank you to our sponsors: Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
How to manage community schemes more efficiently
In our November 2024 webinar, Danie van der Merwe, founder of WeconnectU, tackled a key challenge for community scheme managers: breaking free from the endless cycle of reactive emails and calls. Danie shared insights into why managers often feel stuck in their inboxes and offered actionable solutions to shift from being a “postbox” to becoming a true value driver for their communities.
The session explored how the right software, efficient workflows, and a proactive approach can help you reclaim time and enhance value for trustees and owners. Packed with practical tips, the webinar offered strategies to transform community management from reactive to impactful.
This event took place on Thursday, 21 November 2024.
Thank you to our sponsors: Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
Pets, policies, and possibilities: A fresh look at sectional title living
This was a thought-provoking session as we unpacked Professor Coenie Van Der Merwe’s insights into why blanket bans on pets in sectional title schemes are legally and ethically complex.
We explored the current legal landscape around pet ownership in sectional title schemes, fascinating overseas trends, including the use of capuchin monkeys as assistance pets in U.S. condominiums, and how CSOS addresses discrimination between cats and dogs.
This webinar challenged conventional thinking and provided practical insights for sectional title stakeholders. This was our last webinar for 2024 and took place on 10 December 2024.
Thank you to our sponsors: Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
Charting the path: Women attorneys in Sectional Title
The sectional title industry is a dynamic and intricate field shaped by numerous rules, regulations, and ongoing legislative changes.
Specialised attorneys are vital in helping stakeholders navigate these complexities, safeguarding rights, and fulfilling obligations.
This was a thought-provoking webinar featuring a panel of accomplished women attorneys who have established themselves as leaders in the community schemes sector. We listened to their inspiring stories, learned about the values that guide their work, and gained expert insights into the future of this evolving industry.
This webinar took place on 23 January 2025.
Thank you to our incredible sponsors for making these webinars possible: Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
Exclusive insights from the STSM Advisory Council meeting
We had the privilege of meeting with the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Advisory Council Committee. This Council was established in April 2023 under the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act and is an independent body, reporting to the Minister of Human Settlements and operating independently of CSOS.
We were delighted that its members were listening to us – a select group of stakeholders in the sectional title industry - about the challenges, experiences, and solutions from the front lines of sectional title management.
In our February 2025 webinar, we shared the takeouts from this meeting with our members.
This webinar took place on 20 February 2025.
Thank you to our incredible sponsors for making these webinars possible: Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.
Tackling conflict head-on
Conflict is a reality in sectional title living, but the right approach can turn disputes into opportunities for resolution. Whether it’s tensions between neighbours, challenging trustee meetings, WhatsApp group clashes, or even serious issues like domestic violence within schemes, knowing how to manage conflict is key.
For our March 2025 webinar, we chatted with an expert who shared practical strategies, real-life scenarios, and tools to help you confidently handle disputes.
Watch this webinar to gain valuable insights and learn how to take control of conflict before it escalates.
This webinar took place on 19 March 2025.
Thank you to our incredible sponsors for making these webinars possible: Sectional Title Solutions, WeconnectU, and PKF Octagon.