Jackie van Niekerk takes SA REITs into a new growth era

• Attacq CEO Jackie van Niekerk takes over as Chair of the SA REIT Association as the sector enters its strongest growth phase in years.
• South African REITs delivered a 38.6% total return in 2025, with market capitalisation surpassing R350 billion and R11.4 billion raised.
• The Association launches a new delivery-focused operating model to strengthen governance, investor engagement and long-term sector growth.

A new chapter for South Africa's listed property sector‍

South Africa's listed property sector has entered a new era of growth with the appointment of Jackie van Niekerk, Chief Executive Officer of Attacq Limited, as the new Chairperson of the South African Real Estate Investment Trust (SA REIT) Association.

Van Niekerk succeeds Estienne de Klerk, Group Chief Executive Officer of Growthpoint Properties, following a planned leadership transition approved at the Association's Annual General Meeting held on 20 July 2026.

Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment for South African REITs. After several years focused on repairing balance sheets and rebuilding investor confidence following the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector has firmly shifted into a new phase characterised by growth, renewed investment activity and improving market sentiment. The timing could hardly be better.

South African REITs generated a 38.6% total return during 2025, following an equally impressive 35.8% return in 2024. The sector's market capitalisation has now exceeded R350 billion, while member companies successfully raised more than R11.4 billion through oversubscribed capital raisings during the past year.

Building on strong foundations

Van Niekerk inherits an Association that has undergone significant transformation under the leadership of Estienne de Klerk.

During his tenure, the SA REIT Association helped steer the listed property sector through one of the most challenging periods in its history, strengthening disclosure standards, rebuilding investor confidence and reinforcing relationships with government, regulators and institutional investors.

One of the defining achievements of his chairmanship was South Africa's inclusion in the newly established Global REIT Alliance, launched in Stockholm during September 2025.

The alliance represents REIT associations from 24 countries and regions, collectively accounting for approximately 98% of the world's US$2 trillion listed REIT market.

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"It has been a privilege to chair the Association through a period that tested the sector severely and then rewarded its discipline," says De Klerk.

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"I hand over an organisation that is stronger, better connected internationally and better positioned to serve its members."

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Although stepping down as Chairperson, De Klerk will continue supporting the Association as Strategic Advisor to the Executive Committee, ensuring continuity while allowing a new generation of leadership to guide the sector forward.

A Leader with proven credentials

Van Niekerk brings extensive leadership experience and deep industry knowledge to the role.

As Chief Executive Officer of Attacq Limited, she has played a leading role in the continued development of Waterfall City, one of South Africa's largest mixed-use precincts.

She also previously served as President of the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) and has been actively involved within the SA REIT Association, where she chaired the Marketing and Conference Committee.

During that period, the Association significantly strengthened its public profile.

Among the notable achievements were:

• The continued success of the SA REIT Chart Book as one of the industry's most trusted research publications.
• The launch and growth of The REIT Report podcast series.
• The successful staging of the 2026 SA REIT Conference, regarded as the Association's strongest conference since its establishment in 2013.

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"It is a privilege to take the chair as the sector reaches a clear turning point," says Van Niekerk. "I want to thank Estienne for his leadership and for the strong foundation he leaves. Continuity of institutional knowledge matters as much as renewal."

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A new operating model

Alongside the leadership transition, the SA REIT Association has introduced a significantly streamlined operating model designed to improve execution and accountability.

From August 2026, the Association's previous seven standing committees will be consolidated into three strategic delivery portfolios:

• Accounting, Regulation and Taxation
• Markets, Research and Investor Engagement
• Transformation

Each portfolio will operate with clearly defined objectives, measurable outcomes and dedicated working groups focused on delivering practical results for members. The Legal and Competition Commission function will continue as a cross-cutting advisory capability supporting all three portfolios.

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"Our central purpose is to position South African REITs as a compelling asset class for both global and local capital," says Van Niekerk. "That calls for clear priorities, accountable delivery and measurable objectives, which is exactly what the new operating model provides."

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Strengthening the investment case‍

Supporting investor confidence remains one of the Association's highest priorities. According to Joanne Solomon, Chief Executive Officer of the SA REIT Association, the leadership transition reflects careful planning rather than organisational change for its own sake.

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"We retain Estienne's experience and standing while gaining a Chairperson with a clear record of delivery," says Solomon.

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"With the new operating model in place and real momentum behind our members, the Association is well positioned to support the sector through its next phase of growth." 

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Over the coming year, the Association's priorities will include:

• Strengthening engagement with local and international investors.
• Enhancing research and market intelligence.
• Supporting greater transparency and disclosure.
• Working closely with the JSE on sustainability and reporting standards.
• Leveraging opportunities created through South Africa's participation in the Global REIT Alliance.

Van Niekerk and Solomon will also engage directly with member CEOs to better understand industry priorities and ensure the Association's strategic agenda reflects the needs of the sector.

Confidence returns to listed property‍

The appointment of Jackie van Niekerk reflects more than simply a leadership handover. It signals the confidence returning to South Africa's listed property sector after several years of rebuilding.

Improving balance sheets, stronger distributions, renewed capital raising and increasing international engagement have repositioned listed property as an increasingly attractive investment class.

With experienced leadership, a refreshed operating model and favourable sector momentum, the SA REIT Association enters its next chapter with a clear mandate, to strengthen the industry's investment proposition while supporting sustainable long-term growth.

As South African REITs move decisively from recovery to expansion, Van Niekerk now assumes leadership of an organisation entering one of the most promising periods in its history.

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