Building a dream, one brick at a time

ON TUESDAY, PAM GOLDING, SOUTH AFRICAN PROPERTY AND REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER, DIED AGED 90. SHE LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK ON THE INDUSTRY,WRITES

‘TBONNY FOURIE

HE funny thing about something that is larger than yourself – it’s not yours to own, it is there to pass on.” These words from Pam Golding, founder of the Pam Golding Property Group, encompass the spirit of giving and empowering that the property and business doyenne possessed – and the legacy she leaves behind.

She was not only well known in the real estate industry in South Africa and globally, but a role model and inspiration for women everywhere.

In an article published by Lioness of Africa (LOA), a community of African women entrepreneurs, Golding was quoted as saying: “Encouraging other women from all walks of life to achieve their aspirations and be successful is of great importance to me. Women have much to gain from networking with other women who are successful, in whatever their chosen field.”

And when it came to networking and achieving success, she was a queen. After all, she founded one of the country’s largest independent property trading companies in 1976 with no start-up capital and just a sales assistant. At the time, she identified the need for a discreet and professional agency within the South African real estate market.

In the LOA article, Golding said: “Today it might be called entrepreneurial spirit, but back then I simply dared to try, not sure quite how I would get there, but determined all the same.”

The group has since developed into a world-class global organisation comprised of a number of operating companies which cover the full spectrum of the property market in sub-saharan Africa and internationally. It is recognised locally and globally as Southern Africa’s leading independent real estate group and the country’s most awarded real estate company.

Pam Golding Properties has more than 300 branches in Africa and international branches or sales links in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the US (Miami), Malta, Grenada, Cyprus, Mauritius and the Seychelles.

Pam Golding Properties also has a strategic alliance with Savills plc, one of the world’s largest property groups.

Inherent in the essence of the brand – underpinned by the company’s philosophy and cornerstones of empathy, knowledge, experience and integrity – is the promise of a “sense of comfort”, the group’s website states.

According to Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief at LOA, Golding built a property empire and earned her place as one of the world’s leading businesswomen.

“(And) all while maintaining her effortless grace and charm, and never losing sight of her exemplary levels of ethics and integrity.

“Her journey has provided a wonderful example for the next generation of women.”

In 2015, she told Bizcommunity that one piece of advice for women who were looking to walk a similar path of success as she has, was:

“Be determined to succeed and remain committed to your career path, retaining life’s balance.

It is important to remain approachable and be empathetic to co-workers and clients.”

She also said that in addition to being passionate and working hard, they should make time for fun.

Family, too, was incredibly important to Golding and, at the centre of that – and, in fact, her life – was her relationship with her husband, Cecil, an EX-SAAF pilot who she married in October 1953. She also credited her “dear” husband – who passed away in 2014 – with giving her the ticket to her success in persuading her to make the business personal by putting her name on it and her photograph on the advertising masthead.

At the time of the group’s 40th anniversary, Golding said her dream was for her sons Andrew and Peter, and daughter Jill, and the families, to continue to grow the success of Pam Golding properties. To this end, Dr Andrew Golding said: “The greatest reward of a 40-year legacy is seeing the spirit of Pam in each and every one of our extraordinary people. A legacy at your service.”

Among Golding’s titles and accolades were a position on the John F Kennedy School of Women’s leadership board, a trustee of the Desmond

Tutu Peace

Trust and the World

Wildlife

Fund, and patron of the

Heart of