MAIN IMAGE: Johann van der Merwe, MD and co-founder of WeconnectU and Neale Petersen, founder of Real Estate Investor Magazine
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What happens when a visionary PropTech founder and a seasoned real estate media leader sit down to talk about the future of property in South Africa? You get a powerful conversation packed with insight, innovation, and practical wisdom.
Johann van der Merwe, MD and co-founder of WeconnectU, joinsNeale Petersen, founder of Real Estate Investor Magazine, for a candid discussion on how PropTech is reshaping property management–”from compliance to performance–”and why connected end-to-end ecosystems are fast becoming the new normal.
PropTech is no longer just a nice-to-have in the South African real estate space–”it’s becoming the backbone of how modern property businesses survive and grow. That was the key message from a recent Real Estate Investor webinar where Johann van der Merwe, MD and co-founder of WeconnectU, sat down with Neale Petersen, founder of Real Estate Investor Magazine, to unpack where things are heading.
Spoiler alert: The future is all about connected ecosystems, not just fancy features.
PropTech: More Than Just Apps and Automation
In South Africa, PropTech has moved way beyond digital leases and tenant apps. According to Johann, we’re seeing two major shifts. First, PropTech is now part of almost every step in the property journey–”applications, communication, compliance, even rent collection. Second, it’s starting to blur into FinTech. Property and finance aren’t running in silos anymore–”they’re part of one smart, connected flow.
This isn’t just innovation for innovation’s sake. It’s about building more resilient, future-ready businesses.
The Big Four Challenges Every Property Business Faces
Let’s face it: property management isn’t getting easier. Johann pointed out four challenges every business is grappling with–”Compliance, Manageability, Scalability, and Profitability.
If a solution doesn’t help you solve all four, it’s not really helping. That’s why the WeconnectU team built their tech to be an enabler. It’s not about replacing people–”it’s about giving them better tools to do what they do best, and do it at scale.
Tech Adoption Isn’t a Flip of a Switch
Here’s the reality: change is hard. Especially when you’re moving from clipboards and spreadsheets to platforms that handle everything from inspections to maintenance, lease management, compliance and billing.
Johann shared that success lies in how you bring people along for the ride. That’s why WeconnectU focuses so heavily on smart onboarding and customer support. It’s not just about powerful features–”it’s about building confidence, step by step.
Why Ecosystems Matter More Than Integrations
One of the big ideas Johann kept coming back to? An ecosystem is not just an integration.
In property management, everything’s connected. Leasing leads to inspections. Inspections trigger maintenance. Maintenance links to billing. And compliance? It weaves through the whole process.
If your solutions aren’t speaking to each other, you’re creating delays and frustration. The RAMS and RedRabbit ecosystem was built to connect the dots–”real-time visibility, automation, and performance data, all in one place. That’s how you move from managing properties to managing performance.
Data: Your New Superpower (If You Use It Right)
We all hear that data is powerful–”but only if you act on it.
Johann explained how smart data can help you spot arrears before they become a problem, identify your top-performing assets, and even guide tenant selection. But it doesn’t stop there. With AI built into the WeconnectU solutions, property professionals can respond faster and reduce admin–”freeing them up to focus on what really matters.
It’s about turning insight into impact.
So, What’s Next for PropTech?
Johann’s prediction? The future is ecosystem-driven. More companies are building out their platforms or acquiring others to offer end-to-end solutions.
Why? Because users are done juggling five tools that half work. They want one that works well–”all the time.
That’s exactly what WeconnectU is building: a solution that helps property professionals be compliant, scalable, manageable, and profitable. That’s the sweet spot.
Parting Words
Johann put it best:
“We’re not here to replace the human element –” we’re here to empower it.”
And in today’s complex rental landscape, that empowerment isn’t optional anymore. PropTech that works together is becoming the new industry standard.
The future of property managemenet is here. Let WeconnectU help you lead it.
