MAIN IMAGE: Dijeng Tselangoe – Pam Golding Properties – Centurion, Bella Fulford – RE/MAX Living – Atlantic Seaboard, Cape Town, and Zaakira Omar-Moore – Rawson Properties – Wilderness
Kerry Dimmer
Each August, South Africa reflects on the significant contribution women make across all aspects of life. They are hailed as agents of change and of social transformation. This year, the country‘s theme for Women’s Month is ‘Building Resilient Economies for All’.‘In the property sector, this easily translates into the realisation of dreams, and not just those of the female agents themselves but also those of their clients.
We’ve asked three young property practitioners to share their journeys – Dijeng Tselangoe from Pam Golding Properties – Centurion, Bella Fulford of RE/MAX Living – Atlantic Seaboard, Cape Town, and Zaakira Omar-Moore from Rawson Properties – Wilderness
Property has always been alluring – Dijeng’s experience
From a young age, I loved looking at houses. I would imagine what it would be like inside and living there. This fascination grew stronger in my varsity years, and by my early twenties, I knew that real estate was a career I should at least explore. I took the plunge by walking into an agency to ask about becoming an agent and what it would take, and here I am today … a fully fledged property professional.
I am grateful for the opportunity that Pam Golding Properties in Centurion gave me. My regional manager may be tough, but she is also a good person, and I really value and appreciate her. If she had not pushed me, I probably would not be where I am today. I also receive incredible support from all my superiors. These are people I will never forget, nor Pam Golding Properties as a brand. I consider it a blessing to have been noticed by the company, and I will never take for granted the platform I was given to excel.
That is not to say that I know everything. I learn every day and experience challenges. One of those is how I approach my first encounter with clients. It’s not easy to give a good impression right from the start, especially when you want them to trust you. Once past that hurdle, I find that the relationship grows stronger, even to the point of friendship. I have found that respect and humility play a huge role in retaining those relationships, something women are particularly good at doing, which is why this is an excellent profession for females.
Women are great at multitasking: handling a career and a household is not easy in a regular job. You can plan your day according to your own personal and family schedule, yet still be on hand for your clients. This career enables us to manage our time effectively so that no one feels neglected.
Takeaway tip: Time is of the essence. Learn from those who have already walked this path. Just do it, and even if you fail, at least you tried. When in need, ask and don’t cocoon yourself.
Bella Fulford – leading with empathy
“I entered the real estate profession at 22 years old, immediately after achieving a psychology degree. A friend, who was already in the industry, encouraged me to join her at a small firm. Up until then, I hadn’t seriously considered real estate as a career, although my dad works in the commercial property sector. I never thought I’d follow him into property, nor that of my mother, who is in hospitality.
It was while at the boutique agency that my mentor, Philip Gullan,and now business partner,approached my friend and me and offered us a place on his team. It was an easy yes. By then, I realised that my degree had value in terms of the psychology behind sales; how people make decisions is often driven by emotion, even when they think they’re being logical. That dynamic fascinated me then and still does today.
Along my journey, I have come to realise that the greatest and most demanding challenge is being able to provide the best service to both the seller and the buyer. It requires managing expectations and finding solutions in a short time. And, as a people pleaser, I find it difficult accepting that sometimes, no matter how much you care or try, a deal just won’t come together.
What does work really well for me, though, is that I’m not stuck behind a desk all day. I love being out in the world, meeting people, seeing new spaces, and building genuine connections. There’s something almost philosophical about helping someone find their home … it’s deeply personal and rewarding to be part of that process. Those moments of connection and meaning are what make this job so fulfilling.
I think real estate is a great career for women because it blends emotional intelligence, resilience, and strong communication. These are all aspects that I believe are naturally instinctive for women. The job is ideally suited to women because it also offers flexibility and autonomy, which can be especially valuable in most stages of life. There’s something undeniably powerful (and yes, sexy) about being independent and successful on your terms.
Takeaway tip: What I’ve really taken to heart is that real estate is about creating value, not chasing every deal. For women especially, this career gives you the space to lead with empathy, intuition, and strength. When you show up as a trusted advisor, someone who protects, guides, and genuinely serves, you build relationships that go far beyond a single transaction. It’s about playing the long game with integrity and confidence and knowing that your worth isn’t measured by discounts or quick wins but by the trust and expertise you bring to every interaction.
Zaakira Omar-Moore – a career change has given me so much more
You’d think that as a qualified journalist, with experience in investigative, feature, and motorsport journalism, my talents would have been highly sought after. Yet, after the Covid pandemic, I struggled to find a job, especially one that didn’t involve leaving home or that would pay enough to make doing so worthwhile!
It was my mother-in-law, who worked for a real estate agency in the village, who suggested that I apply for an administrative position at the newly opened Rawson Wilderness agency, which fell under the Rawson George agency banner. I thrived in the position, especially as I was familiar with the area, having been a Wilderness resident for some 10 years. I used this to my advantage, helping to break the stigma in the area attached to estate agents that they were annoyances.
For the past five years, I have worked alongside agent Melanie Mare, and together we have grown into a dynamic team in the Wilderness area, which is unique and, in my opinion, unlike any other place in the world.
Our area stretches from Victoria Bay upwards to the Swartvlei/Sedgefield border. The areas in between are each unique, and so too is every property.
As each area has its bylaws and legislation, we have to be careful to ensure that we communicate the correct information to our clients. We, therefore, have to invest ourselves fully in understanding the intricacies of not only each area but also its properties. This requires a certain level of patience as we invest in building relationships, which can take some time, even as long as a year or two.
Considering that I’m somewhat of an emotional woman, which doesn’t usually blend well in other industries, in real estate, it’s become my superpower. I also have a tough skin, achieved from previous roles including restaurant management and motorsport journalism, which is a very “male-dominated” environment. I believe these attributes allow me to connect deeply with my clients. I know that buying or selling a home is more than merely a transaction; it’s a significant life decision for clients, who appreciate that while I’m efficient, I’m never hasty. Melanie and I also seem to have a knack for matching the right buyer to the right home relatively quickly, which helps build a better community and is crucial in a small town.
I love property. I love seeing how people personalise their spaces and build homes from vacant land that I have spent months exploring and understanding. The best thing is that my love for the Wilderness area and property align so well, providing me with a platform for expression and a sense of adventure.
Takeaway tip: I think real estate is an excellent career for a woman; you have a lot of flexibility and independence, which makes “more” possible. It’s also a healthy choice if appropriately balanced with the demands of being a wife, a mother, and all the other commitments that women need to meet.
