Jacques Coetzee crowned Investor of the Year 2026
Jacques Coetzee claimed South Africa’s top property-investor title, the R100,000 grand prize and the Big Leagues award at a glittering gala in Sandton.
- Jacques Coetzee was crowned Investor of the Year 2026 after also winning the highly competitive Big Leagues category.
- Michael Brink won the Intermediate category, while Amanda Stone claimed the Beginner title following live presentations and questioning.
- The three winners will unpack their deals, numbers, risks and lessons during a free REI Live webinar on Wednesday.
Jacques Coetzee has been crowned Investor of the Year 2026, taking home the R100,000 grand prize and an extensive package of additional prizes at a glittering black-tie awards evening held at The Maslow Hotel in Sandton on Saturday.
Coetzee completed a remarkable double victory by first winning the Big Leagues category before being named the overall Investor of the Year 2026.
The other main-category honours went to Michael Brink, who won the Intermediate category, and Amanda Stone, who emerged as the Beginner category winner.
The awards marked the culmination of the fifth season of Investor of the Year, presented by the SA Property Investors Network (SAPIN) in partnership with Absa Home Loans.
Jacques Coetzee takes property investing’s top honour
Coetzee’s overall victory placed him at the top of a highly competitive national field and recognised the strength of his property journey, deal execution, financial structuring and approach to managing risk.
His journey into property has been anything but conventional. From playing professional rugby and selling windows to entering construction and ultimately property development, Coetzee has continually adapted and built on each stage of his experience.
Today, through AXAREA, he develops sectional-title projects designed for young professionals and property investors. His transition from professional sport to development reflects the resilience, commercial judgment and disciplined execution that carried him to the top IOTY title.
Along with the prestigious title, he received the competition’s R100,000 cash grand prize and a range of additional prizes from the IOTY partners and sponsors.
Michael Brink wins the Intermediate category
Michael Brink took the Intermediate category, emerging ahead of fellow finalists Miranda Melk, Robert Patson and Mojalefa Rampono following the live presentation and judging process.
Brink sees opportunity where others see the ordinary. He transformed a former crèche into a 22-bed student accommodation property, using creative funding to make the deal possible.
The property now generates more than R50,000 in monthly cash flow and has an estimated value of R4.4 million. His project demonstrates how adaptive reuse, strong demand and creative deal structuring can convert an overlooked building into a high-performing investment asset.
At Intermediate level, investors had to demonstrate more than one successful transaction. The judges examined whether their strategies were financially sustainable, repeatable and capable of supporting continued portfolio growth.
Amanda Stone claims the Beginner title
Amanda Stone was named the Beginner category winner, securing one of the evening’s most closely watched awards ahead of fellow finalists Sphelele Zuma and Pieter Wessels.
Stone recognised potential in an outdated Green Point apartment that others might have overlooked. With a clear renovation strategy and a sharp eye for value, she transformed it into a standout two-bedroom property.
The project created approximately R1.6 million in value and delivered a reported 36.5% return on investment in just eight months.
Her victory demonstrates that investors do not need large portfolios to establish credibility. A carefully selected opportunity, disciplined renovation and well-executed value-add strategy can provide a powerful foundation for long-term property success.
Nearly 200 entries from across South Africa
Investor of the Year 2026 attracted 191 submissions from 178 unique entrants, representing all nine provinces. The competition eventually produced:
- 36 entrants who progressed to the due-diligence stage
- 30 finalist places
- 21 individual finalists
- 12 award categories
- Three main-category winners
- One overall Investor of the Year
More than three-quarters of entrants entered at Beginner level, highlighting the growing number of South Africans seeking to build wealth, income and financial independence through property.
The entries covered a diverse range of strategies, including buy-to-let properties, short-term accommodation, multi-lets, developments, commercial property and renovation projects.
Deals tested beyond the presentation
The finalists did not advance on presentation ability alone. Before reaching the gala stage, shortlisted entrants were required to present their deals and provide supporting documentation. Their numbers, ownership structures and compliance positions were examined as part of the due-diligence process.
The three main categories were then decided following live five-minute presentations and direct questioning from the judging panel.
The independent judging panel comprised:
- Nondumiso Ncapai, Managing Executive at Absa Home Loans
- Neale Petersen, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Real Estate Investor
- Mabuye Mokoena, representing Mokoena Africa Group
Each deal was assessed against five principal criteria:
- Risk mitigation
- Profitability and return on investment
- Financial and deal structuring
- Ownership structure
- The investor’s personal journey
Risk mitigation carried the greatest weighting. This placed particular emphasis on due diligence, zoning, approved plans, legal compliance, health and safety, backup strategies and credible exit plans.
The approach ensured that a large headline return could not compensate for an investment carrying unmanaged legal, financial or operational risks.
A celebration of South African property investors
The black-tie gala brought together property investors, industry leaders, sponsors and members of the wider investment community to recognise not only successful transactions, but also the persistence and personal sacrifice behind them.
The event was supported by headline partner Absa Home Loans, premier partners Tile Africa, Mokoena Group and TUHF Capital, and media partner Real Estate Investor.
Additional sponsors supported specialist categories across innovation, township investment, renovations, short-term accommodation, youth participation and industry leadership.
Beyond the trophies and prizes, the awards provided an important platform for investors to share credible examples of how South Africans are finding opportunities and creating value across different property sectors and economic conditions.
Join the winners live on Wednesday
The trophies and prizes have been awarded. Now the winners will reveal how they did it.
Join Real Estate Investor for an exclusive post-awards REI Live webinar, IOTY: How They Won — Inside Three Award-Winning Property Deals, on Wednesday, 23 September 2026 from 12:00 to 13:00 SAST. It is live online and free to attend.
The three main-category winners will take investors behind the scenes of their successful deals:
- Amanda Stone — Beginner category winner
- Michael Brink — Intermediate category winner
- Jacques Coetzee — Big Leagues winner and Investor of the Year 2026
Discover how they found their opportunities, assessed the numbers, structured the finance, managed the risks, overcame the setbacks and turned their strategies into award-winning investments.
Real deals. Real numbers. Real lessons. No theory, no generic advice — just practical insights from three of South Africa’s award-winning property investors.
Going deeper on student accommodation
Michael Brink’s Intermediate-winning deal turned a former crèche into 22 student beds — one of the strategies drawing the most investor interest this year. For investors looking at the NSFAS-funded end of that market, there is a live online masterclass at the end of the month.
NSFAS Accreditation Masterclass — presented by Retha van Rooyen, founder of My Student House — runs over two evenings, Wednesday 30 September and Thursday 1 October 2026, from 18:00 to 20:00 SAST on Teams. Recordings are included.
It covers the accreditation requirements and the NSFAS portal, what NSFAS pays, what you may charge and how the payment cycle works, and staying compliant through real-world inspections and renewals. Seats are R2,497.
