At Boxwood Property Fund, we have always believed property is not merely about buildings, it is about people, ideas and the future.
For this reason, we consider the presence of young professionals in leadership positions to be a strategic benefit, rather than a “nice-to-have”.
In a recent interview with the Cape Town Central City Improvement District, our COO Sarah Divaris, shared her perspective on the importance of generational diversity at executive level. “We’re creating spaces for the next generation, so it makes sense to have the next generation involved in shaping them,” she said. And she’s right.
The property sector is evolving fast. Sustainability, wellness, flexibility, tech integration, hybrid working, ESG: these are no longer emerging trends, they’re at the core of how property works today. Staying relevant, resilient, and ahead of the curve, requires leadership that understands the needs, habits & expectations of modern tenants, retailers and residents.
At Boxwood, two-thirds of the team are under the age of 40. That’s not accidental, it’s intentional. It’s a step towards our larger goal of creating a company that represents the cities of tomorrow.
“Being part of a company that not only values young voices but actively creates space for us to contribute has been incredibly motivating,” says Nkanyiso Mbatha, one of the newest members of the Boxwood team. “I was drawn to Boxwood because of its youthful energy and forward-thinking culture.”
We’re proud to have emerging leaders not just in the room, but at the table, actively participating in decision-making and shaping strategy.
Boxwood is launching the Built Different platform with the aim of bringing together the next generation of property professionals.
In conjunction with SACSC we hosted the first NextGen 2025 Western Cape event, an engaging evening of Padel and networking that attracted over 70 people. Some played, others cheered from the sidelines, but everyone walked away with something valuable: connection.
It’s simple: when you empower young people, you’re not just investing in talent, you’re investing in innovation, energy & long-term success.
At Boxwood, we’re building and developing the future together.
Happy Youth Day!
