Property Point wins top award for job creation Property Point, a Growthpoint Properties initiative, has been named the winner of the Job Creation Award at the Mail & Guardian Investing in the Future Awards property Point is an enterprise development initiative that was founded by Growthpoint Properties, South Africa's largest JSE-listed property company, in 2008. It has achieved tremendously positive results, not only in job creation but also in the spheres of procurement opportunities, and nurturing and growing small business and entrepreneurs.

So far, Property Point has been instrumental in creating more than 1 141 jobs. Almost a hundred businesses have participated in Property Point's two-year programme, enabling them to generate more than R451-million in procurement opportunities, with a reported revenue growth of a remarkable 54,5%.

The initiative has been named the winner of the Job Creation Award at the Mail & Guardian Investing in the Future Awards. "We are thrilled to receive this esteemed award," says Norbert Sasse, Chief Executive Officer of Growthpoint Properties, commenting on the award.

"It is incredibly rewarding to see the progress of Property Point, and the ever-growing number of entrepreneurs and small businesses that have graduated from its programme. Enterprise development is a key focus area for Growthpoint and accounts for the biggest portion of our corporate social investment. With it we strive to be leaders in job creation, transformation and sustainability. This is one way in which we do our bit for the much-needed stimulation of the South African economy!'

"Property Point is here to support small businesses, create jobs and link entrepreneurs with real opportunities in our industry," says Shawn Theunissen, Head of Property Point and head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Growthpoint Properties.

"We truly want to uplift and transform. It is an honour to receive this award, particularly because of the high regard in which these accolades, and those who award them, are held." The Investing in the Future and Drivers of Change Awards are a Mail & Guardian and Southern Africa Trust initiative. While it was founded by Growthpoint Properties, Property Point has grown to collaborate with partners across the property industry to drive enterprise development forward for the sector. Its first partnership came at the beginning of 2015, with JSElisted property capital growth fund Attacq.

Now, Property Point is a growing catalyst for successful enterprise and supplier development within the South African property industry, helping other property companies create jobs too. "By collaborating with partners in the property sector, we are really able to drive enterprise development forward," says Theunissen. "We invite more participants in "By collaborating with partners in the property sector, we are really able to drive enterprise development forward" -Shawn Theunissen, Head of Property Point the property industry to work together for meaningful, positive impacts that help develop a healthy, vibrant SME sector that can unlock real opportunities and create even more jobs!' Growthpoint, South Africa's largest REIT and a JSE ALS! Top 40 Index company, is also a JSE Socially Responsible Investment Index company and a Dow Jones Sustainability Index company.

It owns and manages a diversified portfolio of 471 properties in South Africa and 53 properties in Australia through its investment in GOZ, and has a 50% interest in the properties at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Growthpoint's consolidated property assets are valued at more than R100-billion. Shawn Theunissen with the Job Creation Award at the influential Mail & Guardian Investing in the Future Awards 56 SOUTH AFRICAN PROPERTY REVIEW