STANDER'S TEAM COMES OUT TOPS!

"EXCELLENT service without exception... always!" That is the motto of Benita Stander, the principal/director of Castello Properties trading as DPG - Gary Mann Estates, the ace Gauteng-based branch of the Dormehl Phalane Property Group (DPG).

Little surprise, then, that the vivacious blonde and her strong team of 48 did so exceptionally well at the 16th national awards of the property group - an event held from April 9 to 13 at Happy Wanderers beach resort at Kelso on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.

Gary Mann Estates, which has its main branch at 18 Klipriver Drive, Three Rivers, in Vereeniging, was named Franchise of the Year at this year's awards. Additionally, it took the coveted trophies for Commercial Industrial Franchise of the Year; Residential Franchise of the Year; and Top Franchise - Gauteng.

There's more... the franchise's Yolanda Honiball came second in the coveted national category, Agent of the Year, behind Pinetown's Brendon Bosch. Honiball was also placed third nationally for Residential Agent of the Year (Urban), a category awarding the highest commission in registered sales.

In awards specific to the Gauteng region, the franchise took trophies for Honiball as Top Agent and also Commercial Industrial Agent of the Year (the latter category acknowledging Gary Mann Estate's Michelle Bow in second place).

Other accolades for Gary Mann Estates were for Top Supporting Office - OOBA Inland - Highest Rand Value Granted; Top Supporting Office - DWLM Attorneys - Vereeniging branch; Top Supporting Agents - DWLM Attorneys - 4th Jacqueline Lombaard, 3rd Hasiena Hassen, 2nd Charline v d Walt, 1st Yolanda Honiball; and OOBA Top Supporting agent Inland - Yolanda Honiball, for highest number of units granted.

To say Benita Stander was very happy with her team's success would be putting it mildly: "I was overwhelmed with pride, gratitude and immense joy, knowing that all the dedication, passion and hard work our team poured into our business was being recognised at the highest level. My incredible team's unwavering commitment, resilience and pursuit of excellence are the heartbeat of our success."

Gary Mann Estates was originally established in 2012 as Sotheby's International Realty Vaal, then changed to DPG Vaal, with 15 property practitioners, in March, 2018, recalls Benita.

"DPG Vaal and Gary Mann Estates merged in March, 2023. We were the two most prominent real estate companies in the area and decided to merge rather than compete against each other. In the process, we cut overhead expenses," explains Benita.

She adds that these days, Gary Mann himself, a prominent business owner who resides in the Vaal Triangle, prefers to focus on managing his other companies.

Benita says she is greatly assisted by Natashee Lemmer, the franchise's Risk and Compliance Officer, who also has a hand in managing finances, transactions, HR and training.

Gary Mann Estates has four Gauteng branches - in Meyerton, Vanderbijlpark and two in Vereeniging (18 Kliprivier Drive and at The Barnyard Complex, Club Street). It serves Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Sasolburg, Meyerton (Midvaal) and Heidelberg, handling residential, industrial and commercial sales as well as agricultural sales (plots and farms). It also has a rental division, handling residential, industrial and commercial rentals.

"We still have the original franchise for Heidelberg, Meyerton/Midvaal, Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark and Sasolburg. This is a huge area which includes many township areas and we need to triple the size of our property practitioner staff complement to effectively cover the whole area. We continue to recruit to establish a majority market share in all the towns."

Ask Benita what she sees as strengths of her team and she is quick to reply: "We have diverse skill sets which include strong negotiators, marketing wizards and admin pros. We pride ourselves on excellent service without exception and respond quickly; and we provide our clients with good communication and smooth transactions.

"We have a client-centric approach and build lasting relationships. Our property practitioners know their local market and farming areas inside and out. Team members are held accountable and take responsibility for their roles and results and go above and beyond for clients. We have efficient systems and processes and operate as a well-oiled machine".

Benita also applauds the strengths of the Dormehl Phalane brand: "We have a strong national footprint and an established reputation and longevity. Founded in 1993 the brand has over 30 years of experience.

"DPG provides training and support, and invests in property practitioners with mentorship. Despite being a national brand, each franchise operates as part of a family and forms close-knit, community-oriented approaches within their areas."

Benita has two children - one now a medical doctor, the other a student of logistics and management supply. Born in George and educated at Outeniqua High, she studied public relations and worked for the Pick 'n' Pay group for many years, handling marketing and advertising. Her entry to the world of real estate came in 2004.

Over the years, she has experienced some amusing moments in property: "There have been a few haunted houses... and what made me laugh this year was a tenant insisting on a discounted rental amount because February had only 28 days."

Her goals for Gary Mann Estates in the coming year?

"We want to grow our market share across our franchise area and increase our sales volume by 30% through better lead conversion, more market penetration and sole mandates. We also want to grow our rental portfolio by 30%, focusing on sole mandates and increasing our commission percentage."

Benita also wants to refresh the team's brand identity and do monthly marketing themes: "We plan to develop a five-star client journey. We also want more team development with training and creating a mentorship system; and we plan to use AI tools to the full extent and enhance our local involvement and visibility."

The team kicked off 2025 with adopting schools in its farming areas and sponsoring and attending sports events, handing out water, sunscreen and the like. Plans ahead include continuing with the team's Save a Life blood drive - "We have already broken records with most pints of blood collected in one day" - and marking Cancer Awareness Month.

Gary Mann Estates will also mark Women's Month in August, plan winter sport events, and commemorate Mandela Day in July at Tabita Care Centre in Vereeniging, where the team interacts with residents, provides soup for 120 people and arranges games.

Among other plans are special media drives with catchy, tongue-in-cheek reels with all the team's property practitioners; creating visibility in all farming areas, designed for the target group in the area; and mass, on-show days once a month, when the team has 25-plus properties on show at the same time.

Away from the busy property world, Benita spends as much time as possible with her family and dogs. She loves the outdoors, a good book, music and dancing.

She also admits to being a bit of an adrenaline junkie; enjoys spending time in her holiday home in Ballito; and says she is a great fan of chasing sunrises and sunsets.