Jackie van Niekerk takes reins as SA Reit chair

Leading figure in the local listed property sector, Jackie van Niekerk, has taken over as chair of the South African Real Estate Investment Trust Association (SA Reit), the organisation confirmed on Tuesday.

She is the CEO of JSE-listed Reit Attacq Limited and took over the reins as chair of the association from Estienne de Klerk, Group CEO of Growthpoint Properties.

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SA Reit said the change in its chair role follows the organisation’s recent AGM in Johannesburg on 20 July 2026.

Van Niekerk has been in the industry for over a decade having been CEO of Pivotal Property Fund when it listed on the JSE back in 2014 (the fund was later acquired by Redefine Properties in 2016). She is also former president of the South African Property Owners Association and chaired the marketing and conference committee at SA Reit.

De Klerk stepped down as chair having led the association through the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic and the rebuilding of balance sheets and investor confidence in the listed property sector since then.

“It has been a privilege to chair the association through a period that tested the sector severely and then rewarded its discipline,” says De Klerk.

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“Jackie brings deep industry knowledge, the credibility of her leadership at Attacq and a clear focus on delivery,” he adds.

“This handover was planned well in advance and executed deliberately. She takes the chair with solid foundation… and real momentum behind the sector. I have every confidence in the association’s direction under her leadership,” says De Klerk.

“It is a privilege to take the chair as the sector reaches a clear turning point,” says Van Niekerk.

“I want to thank Estienne for his leadership and for the strong foundation he leaves. I am pleased that his experience and relationships remain available to the executive committee, because continuity of institutional knowledge matters as much as renewal,” she adds.

“Our central purpose is to position South African Reits as a compelling asset class for both global and local capital,” says Van Niekerk.

The change in leadership comes with South African Reits in their strongest position in years, according to the association.

“The sector delivered a total return of 38.6% in 2025 on the back of 35.8% in 2024. Its market capitalisation has [surged] and member companies raised more than R11.4 billion in fresh capital through oversubscribed book-builds during 2025.

“Having moved from a period of balance sheet repair to one defined by growth, renewed corporate activity and deepening investor confidence, the sector enters its next phase with an association restructured to match,” SA Reit notes.

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The association highlighted that under De Klerk’s tenure as chair, SA Reit sharpened the sector’s disclosure standards. It released the 3rd edition of the SA Reit Best Practice Recommendations in May 2026, while deepening its advocacy with government, regulators and investors.

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SA Reit added that an international high point came in September 2025 with the launch of the Global Reit Alliance at the European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) Conference in Stockholm.

It brought together Reit associations from 24 countries and regions whose members collectively represent companies managing approximately 98% of the world’s roughly $2 trillion in Reit market capitalisation.

“I hand over an organisation that is stronger, better connected internationally and better positioned to serve its members,” says De Klerk.

“Standing in Stockholm as South Africa took its place in the Global REIT Alliance confirmed what the numbers already show. Our sector has earned its standing among the world’s leading REIT markets.”

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