We are all about celebrating the women who power our communities

August in South Africa is a time for reflection, recognition, and realignment. As we commemorate Women’s Month and celebrate National Women’s Day on the 9th of August, we pause to honour the resilience, leadership, and contributions of women in every sector of society, including in sectional title.

At STS, we are proud to work alongside and uplift women in community schemes across the country — not only during August, but every day of the year. From female trustees and property professionals, to first-time women homeowners and sectional title thought leaders, we recognise the vital role that women play in shaping sustainable, safe, and inclusive communities.

In 2021, STS proudly became a premier sponsor of WiST (an industry-first platform designed to support, connect and empower women in what has historically been a male-dominated space).

WiST provides a space where women can network, share knowledge, collaborate, and thrive, and it continues to grow as a dynamic force in shaping a more equitable industry. Monthly webinars, community engagement, and mentorship opportunities form the core of WiST’s impact, and we are proud to champion these efforts.

“We have to co-create and shape the inclusive and collaborative industry of the future and this starts with knowledge sharing and the empowerment of initiatives like WiST.” – Johnny Wates, CEO of STS.

Women’s inclusion in community schemes is about representation and redefining leadership, broadening decision-making, and building communities where empathy, diversity, and safety flourish.

In our blog post, Celebrating women’s voices: essential inclusion in community schemes for a brighter future, we explored how women bring valuable strengths to the sectional title space, such as:

• Empathy and community awareness, which are critical to resolving disputes and encouraging collaboration.
• Fresh, dynamic thinking that brings innovation into trustee meetings and scheme management.
• Consensus-building skills that help navigate the often complex world of community governance.

We’ve also explored the growing trend of women entering the property market, especially as single buyers. In A community for women to thrive, we looked at why sectional title living offers the ideal environment for many women:

• Enhanced safety and security,
• Shared maintenance responsibilities,
• Strong community support systems,
• Affordability and convenience for single women and single mothers.

Our commitment to educating and supporting women buyers is further reflected in our support of platforms like TRACS (Training Academy for Community Schemes), which offers free online training in multiple South African languages

In another article titled Considering women’s contribution to bodies corporate, we unpacked three key themes for achieving gender equity in sectional title: inclusion, education, and appreciation.

We believe that every body corporate should:

• Actively encourage women to become trustees and decision-makers.
• Provide access to inclusive education platforms like TRACS.
• Show appreciation for the ongoing contributions of women who serve tirelessly behind the scenes in managing community living.

STS exists to serve and strengthen community schemes, and we do that by empowering all voices, especially those that have historically been underrepresented. Through our values of Community, Dynamic, Collaboration, Trust, and Excellence, we are proud to be part of the change that is needed in our industry.

We know that meaningful inclusion requires more than sponsorships or statements. It requires daily commitment, visible representation, and strategic partnerships. That’s why we:

• Support initiatives like WiST that foster visibility and education.
• Promote online resources to equip all buyers (especially women) with the tools to thrive.
• Create space for women’s voices in every blog, boardroom, and body corporate meeting we’re part of.

As we honour the trailblazers, professionals, property buyers, and trustees who are women, we also look ahead to a more equitable industry. One where women are not just included, but fully recognised for their leadership, knowledge, and care.

Let’s continue to empower, educate, and appreciate the women who help make community schemes not just function but flourish.