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Environmental sustainability

Redefine signs 37 GWh renewable energy wheeling agreement

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Redefine Properties signs 37 GWh renewable energy wheeling agreement with NOA Trading 

Redefine Properties, one of South Africa’s largest property groups, has signed a renewable energy supply agreement that will meet a significant portion of its total Eskom-connected electricity requirements from renewable energy sources. This agreement, signed with NOA supports Redefine’s decarbonisation efforts through wheeling, while also enabling significant energy cost savings for the JSE listed property company.

With a municipal wheeling solution between the parties to follow as a second phase of the engagement, the initial agreement focuses on Redefine’s Eskom-connected premises across multiple property locations.

“Future-proofing our assets is central to Redefine’s strategy, and this agreement plays a key role in that. By securing renewable energy at scale through wheeling, we’re not only reducing emissions and controlling costs but also building resilience across our portfolio,” said Scott Thorburn, National Asset Manager Commercial at Redefine Properties.

Redefine will receive a carefully crafted blend of renewable energy at 11 of its Eskom-connected properties, ensuring a high level of renewable energy penetration while providing the flexibility to reallocate energy between locations. The agreement will supply 37 GWh per year over a 20-year period, reducing CO₂ emissions by over 39 000 tonnes annually.

NOA, as an integrated renewable energy utility, will source the energy from both third-party Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and its own generation facilities. The aggregated energy will then be allocated to the property group’s designated premises. Most notably, one of the sites that will be supplying Redefine is the Khauta Solar PV project, located near Welkom, Free State. The generation facility is expected to be one of the largest Solar PV sites in South Africa.

“NOA’s bespoke energy products are ideal for property sector customers. By allowing energy reallocation between multiple locations across South Africa, we ensure high renewable energy penetration while limiting the risk of customers paying for unused energy,” said Karel Cornelissen, CEO, NOA.

SOLINK Energy Brokers, a wheeled energy specialist, analysed Redefine’s energy needs and sustainability goals, sourced NOA as the ideal supplier, and supported the deal through to signature.

This agreement underscores the critical role of energy traders and aggregators in supporting the decarbonisation of the property sector, where rooftop and onsite energy solutions often have limitations.  By providing tailored renewable energy solutions, NOA enables large-scale property groups to structure both commercially accretive and environmentally compelling energy agreements.

“The property sector is a key growth area for NOA, offering solutions that can achieve over 80% renewable energy penetration through a phased supply framework,” concluded Cornelissen.

 

Art puts the heart into student living

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New mural in a Johannesburg campus community reminds students where they’re from, where they’re going – and that they are not alone.

Sleep, study, eat. Sleep, study, eat.

Sleep, study … art?

For tertiary level scholars studying in Johannesburg, far away from their roots and often with the weight of their family’s expectation on their young shoulders, the chance to find beauty and breathing space amidst the relentless learning may seem like a fanciful dream. However, at Thrive Student Living’s new Arteria Parktown 500-bed student residence, the art is right there in – even on! – their custom-built home away from home.

Local poet, healer and multi-disciplinary artist Thobile Mavuso was commissioned by Thrive Student Living to create a mural for the R200-million Arteria Parktown property and designed a unique artwork that encapsulates both the displacement and excitement of student life in “res”. The piece is fittingly entitled Ukuzilanda Ukuzilandela Nokuzelapha, which loosely translates as “to return to one’s roots is to care for and heal oneself.”

For artist Thobile – who is currently doing a master’s degree in Fine Art at the University of the Witwatersrand – those roots are in her Ndebele background, echoes of which are found in her vibrant yet restful mural. Painted on an internal courtyard wall in acrylic, using a palette of teal, yellow ochre, red and green, this vast piece features a circle of connected figures in traditional headdress… or perhaps a tangle of opening flowers… or perhaps a patchwork of homesteads amidst fields…

Whatever, it begs to be looked at, to be contemplated.

And that is precisely the point.

The Arteria Parktown mural, says Thobile, explores “the wounding that comes with displacement, dispossession and landlessness that many South African people experience, which often leads to a loss of cultural identity, heritage and traditions.”

The interplay depicted between the human body and the land communicates the interconnectedness of the two, she explains. “It encourages enquiry into one’s history, roots, and imvelaphi – one’s origins – as a means of care and healing. The artwork aims to suggest that through knowing who one is they may find what they are not.”

Thobile was commissioned by Thrive Student Living in consultation with Latitudes, the curated online market for art from Africa, and South Africa in particular. This collaboration was a natural one, as Latitudes’ inclusive ethos mirrors that at Thrive.

“Latitudes is not just a marketplace but an educational platform about and for art,” says co-founder Roberta Coci. “The difference is in our approach. We are flexible, inclusive, and insistent on equitable participation for all players, from the artists, like Thobile Mavuso, to the galleries, curators, and the collectors – many of whom first find the courage to start buying art through our open, inclusive showcase.”

Thrive Student Living benefits from Growthpoint Properties’ award-winning green building initiatives and ongoing mission to create healthy, sustainable environments, with a socially conscious mandate.

“We believe in lifting as we rise and endeavour to partner with members of the university community where possible,” stresses Amogelang Mocumi, Fund Manager of Growthpoint Student Accommodation, which operates Thrive Student Living. “The decision to partner with Thobile was easy given that she is a Wits student and her work resonates with what Thrive Student Living stands for.”

Thrive offers tailor-made campus communities, which include study areas, games rooms, gyms, and backup power and water. Its Student Life programme offers round-the-clock support for students, encompassing everything from academic performance to physical health and mental wellness. It is this unique approach that gives parents and bursary providers peace of mind, knowing students are in a fully supportive environment. Ukuzilanda Ukuzilandela Nokuzelapha is a visual extension of this spirit, believes Amogelang.

“Art is a language, a universal form of expression,” he says. “When students who are sitting in the courtyard underneath this wonderful mural, and they then read the plaque detailing its inspiration, they find new meaning in it and derive their own meaning from it.”

Commissioning Thobile Mavuso proved the perfect fit: she is young, female, vibrant, upcoming, locally-based in Joburg, multidisciplinary – she works in paint, photography, text, sound, and printmaking – and a student too, with her own complicated history. Born and bred in the city, she has long wrestled with her Ndebele culture. She started writing poetry in earnest at the age of 11 to process her emotions around troubles at home, culminating in the publication of her award-wining anthology Songs Broken Women Sing in 2019.

“This latest artwork calls for its viewers to remember who they are no matter how far away they may feel or be from their ancestral lands and events,” she says. “Their work is to celebrate their culture, and to keep it alive. Culture, like art, is a living thing.”

Growthpoint thriving bee hives at Woodlands Office Park

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Buzzworthy news for World Bee Day: Growthpoint hosts eight thriving bee hives at Woodlands Office Park 

In the heart of Johannesburg’s north, a quiet, vital workforce has been thriving for the past six years at one of the city’s foremost office addresses. Eight honeybee hives nestled within the lush grounds of Growthpoint Properties’ The Woodlands Office Park in Woodmead are always hard at work, and this year they’re also creating a buzz for the UN designated World Bee Day on 20 May.

The World Bee Day 2025 theme “Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all”, highlights the critical roles bees and pollinators play in agrifood systems and the health of our country’s, and our planet’s ecosystems. The Woodland’s bees exemplify this sentiment.

Set in a 43-hectare game park, The Woodlands is already known for its remarkable blend of nature and business. With tranquil waterscapes, rich birdlife, and freely roaming buck and other small animals, it offers an unmatched environment for both productivity and peaceful retreat. With its resident bee colonies, it’s also playing a small but meaningful role in supporting South Africa’s embattled pollinator population.

Pollinators in peril

South Africa is facing a serious shortage of bees, beekeepers, and secure forage sites—conditions that are critical for agricultural pollination. The eight hives at The Woodlands represent a fraction of what’s needed nationally, but they matter because they form part of a larger ecosystem of conservation-aware stewardship.

Bees pollinate roughly 70% to 80% of the foods we eat. Of the 1,258 known species in South Africa, only two can be domesticated in hives (but not in the same regions) and they are stretched thin.

How do these office-park bees support agrifood systems?

The Woodlands colonies are among the 700 that seasonally support macadamia orchards in Barberton, where their pollination boosts crop yields by as much as 70%.

To pollinate South Africa’s 78,000 hectares of macadamia trees, an estimated 312,000 colonies are needed. Yet the total number of managed colonies nationwide barely exceeds that. Add apples, avocados, butternuts and berries to the mix, and the deficit becomes even more alarming.

During off-season periods when farms must be treated with pesticides, these bees require safe, forage-rich refuges. The Woodlands, with its flourishing stands of acacia, paperbark, fever trees, soetdoring and select non-invasive eucalyptus species, offers exactly that.

Why bees belong

By maintaining safe, pesticide-free apiaries like those at The Woodlands, Growthpoint contributes to pollinator conservation and, by extension, national food security or, as this year’s World Bee Day theme highlights, nourishing us all.

As a bonus, each hive, which has one queen bee fiercely protected by her colony, produces up to 30 kilograms of honey annually under ideal conditions, though recent erratic weather patterns have dampened yields across the country, from Gauteng to Limpopo.

“This initiative reflects the value of adaptive, site-specific stewardship. The hives benefit from an abundant local food source, contributing to a healthy and balanced ecosystem within the park,” says Martjie Cloete, Growthpoint Properties Sustainability Manager – Projects.

She adds, “Every small act counts in safeguarding our pollinators. The Woodlands bee project is a reminder that even in urban settings, nature can thrive when given the chance and when our environment is treated as a vital part of our future.”

Emira’s beehives are a sweet investment in tomorrow

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This May, pinstripes are out and bee stripes are in. The United Nations has declared 20th of May World Bee Day, providing the perfect opportunity for Emira Property Fund to celebrate the success of its own tiniest, busiest VIP – Very Important Pollinator – tenants.

For the last five years, SA REIT Emira (JSE: EMI) has been quietly putting its weight behind an essential global commodity: bees. During that time, the fund’s littlest property investment has become one of its proudest, with 14 beehives at five of its properties, all abuzz with activity.

As Ulana van Biljon, Chief Operating Officer of Emira, explains, “The beehive project was chosen to highlight the decline of global bee populations, because bees and other pollinators are under serious threat, yet they contribute so much to society, as well as to the biodiversity of our properties. Our hives provide a safe place for honeybees to live and breed.”

According to the United Nations (www.un.org/en/observances/bee-day) over 75% of the world’s food crops – nutrient-dense fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds – and 35% of global agricultural land depends on animal pollinators. The greatest of these are the 20,000 species of bees worldwide.

In 2020, Emira began installing beehives at eight of its properties in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Subsequently, three of the properties were sold, so currently Emira has 14 hives across five properties.

“Our bee conservation project is a holistic approach to reducing the impact of environmental degradation, which goes beyond planting trees,” says van Biljon.

The first Emira hives were installed at Knightsbridge office park in the heart of the Bryanston business node, and Hyde Park Lane, a tranquil corporate address in Sandton. These sites were selected, according to van Biljon, “due to their safe site location, the biodiversity of the surrounding landscape and the abundance of flowering plants which provide the nectar flow for the bees to produce honey.”

Both bee and human welfare concerns were carefully considered, she adds, noting that the public live in harmony with bees anyway: there are many natural swarms of bees throughout South African cities. Emira’s beehives are managed in a secure, controlled environment, away from areas of heavy foot traffic and clearly sign-posted, while beekeeping activities take place at night.

The results so far have been sweet: the busy little workers have produced 106kg of honey for the March 2025 harvest from four apiary sites, namely Knightsbridge (19kg), Hyde Park Lane (16kg), Wonderpark (53kg) and Albury Park (18kg). A by-product of the conservation initiative, the honey is harvested after the summer months when the bees produce a surplus.

However, no honey could be harvested from the two hives at One Highveld, as both underwent “absconding” at the same time – absconding being a normal phenomenon within honeybee hives, part of a cycle in which an old queen is replaced with a younger one. Any existing honey was then “stolen” by other honeybees, another natural turn of events.

The honey was shared among Emira staff and tenants, creating awareness of the importance of preserving biodiversity. To the delight of the recipients each harvest tasted unique as bees tend to collect nectar within 3km of their hive. This meant Johannesburg honey was crafted largely from exotic garden ornamentals like jasmine, lavender, rosemary and jacaranda trees. Meanwhile, in Pretoria North – where hives are situated at Wonderpark Shopping Centre – an abundance of indigenous plants, acacias, and grassland flowers created honey with darker, flavourful herbal tannins.

“This biodiversity is vital for healthy ecosystems, which support both human well-being and the economy,” says van Biljon. “Healthy ecosystems form the ecological infrastructure of the country, providing clean air and water, fertile soil and food.”

The bees must have realised they were on to a sweet rent-free deal at Emira: in April 2024, passing bees took up residence in a pylon at Boskruin Shopping Centre, not an ideal location. Once they were safely removed by a beekeeper, catch hives were installed to prevent more unplanned bee incursions. These will capture swarming honeybees, allowing them to be relocated to suitable sites within the Emira portfolio, or to commercial farms within the region. Thus, urban sites remain safe, and honeybee stocks are secured.

As part of Emira’s dedication to best environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, it has also committed to a “No Net Future Loss” policy, conserving and promoting biodiversity across its portfolio and reducing the company’s impact on the environment.

“The country’s natural ecosystems are threatened by land use change, degradation and invasive alien species,” says van Biljon. “Climate change worsens these threats, but healthy ecosystems offer natural solutions that increase resilience. They protect communities from extreme weather events and enhance natural resources, livelihoods, food security and habitats for animals and plants.”

With the beehive project, Emira is putting the bee firmly into business, living up to its reputation as a truly diversified, balanced real estate investment trust.

Office parks reimagined

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Office parks reimagined: When sustainability meets market leadership

By Samantha Lambert, General Manager, Redefine Properties

In an era of unprecedented environmental and operational challenges, South Africa’s office parks stand at a critical juncture. Energy insecurity, water scarcity, and ageing municipal infrastructure are no longer distant concerns but immediate challenges that demand innovative solutions. Yet, within these challenges lies an opportunity to reimagine office parks as beacons of sustainability and operational resilience.

The business imperative for sustainable office parks

Sustainable office parks are no longer just an environmental consideration; they are a business imperative. Unreliable municipal power supply and recurring water shortages directly impact operational continuity and tenant satisfaction. Simultaneously, tenants and investors increasingly demand spaces that combine operational resilience with environmental responsibility. This convergence of operational necessity and stakeholder expectations is reshaping how we approach office park development and management.

Black River Office Park in Cape Town’s Observatory district exemplifies this transformation. The park’s evolution has been accelerated by significant node activation, including Amazon’s new head office development across the way. This strategic location, with its superior road infrastructure connecting to both northern and southern suburbs, has catalysed the area’s development into what we envision as an emerging Century City-calibre node.

Infrastructure that powers performance

Leading sustainable office parks are distinguished by infrastructure investments that address both environmental impact and operational resilience:

  • Renewable energy systems: Black River’s solar fleet, with an installed capacity of 1,496 kWp supported by 5,715 panels, significantly reduces grid dependence while ensuring consistent power supply.
  • Backup power solutions: A comprehensive backup generator system, coupled with a centralised power plant, ensures business continuity during grid interruptions – a critical feature that’s no longer optional but essential for tenant operations.
  • Water security measures: Strategic use of borehole water for refuse yards and irrigation supports water-wise landscaping, reducing municipal water dependence while maintaining attractive green spaces.

These investments deliver measurable returns through reduced operating costs and enhanced tenant satisfaction. The park’s near-full occupancy demonstrates the strong market demand for sustainable, resilient office space.

The multi-tenant advantage: How diversity drives growth

Sustainability extends beyond utility management to encompass how spaces support diverse business needs. Black River Office Park comprises 14 distinct buildings, each with its own identity, enabling a unique ecosystem where corporate offices and business process outsourcing (BPO) operations successfully coexist. As we’ve discovered, sustainable office parks must be flexible enough to accommodate varying density requirements while maintaining premium-grade standards.

The park’s design thoughtfully incorporates energy-efficient building systems alongside carefully planned green spaces that enhance both environmental performance and user well-being. Supporting amenities promote tenant productivity and satisfaction, while flexible spaces readily adapt to changing business needs.

This approach has attracted a diverse tenant mix, including boutique gyms, award-winning salons, medical practices, and varied food offerings. As a result, it has created a vibrant, community-centric environment that supports approximately 2,000 employees, a number set to double with recent expansions.

Collaboration: The key to sustainable success is collaboration

Achieving meaningful sustainability requires close collaboration among REITs, tenants and vendors. At Black River, this collaborative approach begins with our tenants, working closely with them to optimise space utilisation and resource efficiency. We engage suppliers in sustainable procurement practices while maintaining strong partnerships with the City of Cape Town and CapeBPO to align with regional development goals. Our Red Thread initiative exemplifies this collaborative spirit, repurposing materials from gutted buildings to benefit the community and demonstrate our commitment to circular economy principles.

Smart design, smarter returns

Modern technology plays a crucial role in maximising sustainable infrastructure performance. At Black River, we’re investing in smart building systems for resource optimisation, complemented by advanced monitoring tools for energy and water consumption. Our commitment to continuous assessment of environmental performance drives strategic upgrades that maintain our premium-grade status.

The planned redevelopment of Gate House, which anchors the entry point to Black River Park, illustrates our commitment to ongoing evolution. This project will enhance the building’s exterior while maintaining its distinct character, demonstrating how sustainable design can complement heritage features.

Market leadership through environmental excellence

As South Africa continues to face environmental and infrastructure challenges, sustainable office parks will play an increasingly vital role in our business landscape. The success of Black River Office Park demonstrates that sustainability isn’t just about environmental responsibility; it’s about creating resilient, future-ready spaces that deliver lasting value for all stakeholders.

Property owners and managers must take a long-term view, balancing immediate operational needs with future sustainability requirements. This means investing in robust infrastructure, fostering collaborative ecosystems, and maintaining unwavering commitment to continuous improvement.

The future belongs to office parks that can adapt, evolve and thrive in the face of change. Embracing sustainable practices today not only protects our environment but also ensures the long-term viability of our assets. At the same time, it creates spaces where businesses can flourish for generations to come.

Olympus Sandton achieves stratospheric sales success

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The landmark Olympus Sandton residential and retail development has achieved a phenomenal R940 million in sales just days after its luxury apartments were launched for public purchase on 27 February 2025, with 295 apartments sold by the close of the public sales launch weekend.

Olympus Sandton is being developed by Growthpoint Properties (JSE: GRT), South Africa’s leading real estate investment trust (REIT), in partnership with Tricolt, a premier developer specialising in high-end residential projects. It is the latest development in Sandton Summit, where Growthpoint is shaping its vision to create South Africa’s premier walkable mixed-use precinct. At the high-profile junction of Sandton/Katherine Drive and Rivonia Road, Sandton Summit is anchored by Discovery’s iconic head office building (co-owned by Growthpoint 55% and Zenprop 45%). Adjacent to this landmark, along Rivonia Road, the Olympus Sandton high-rise residential development will elevate fine living in vibrant Sandton, setting a new benchmark with 512 state-of-the-art apartments across its two towers.

The development’s first 24-storey residential tower, The Athena, is nearly sold out with 227 of its 288 apartments already secured by eager buyers.

Tim Kloeck, Chairman of Tricolt reports, “Olympus Sandton sales are exceeding all expectations. In response to the overwhelming demand, we are pleased to announce the immediate release of apartments for sale in the second tower, The Apollo. Tricolt brings its expertise in world-class residential living to this landmark project.”

The first 68 of The Apollo’s 224 apartments were snapped up swiftly on release.

Neil Schloss, Head of Asset Management: South Africa at Growthpoint Properties, adds, “The exceptional sales momentum has accelerated the Olympus Sandton development timeline, and we can confirm that construction of both towers should commence in the latter part of 2025 and early 2026. The development’s sales success exemplifies Growthpoint’s strategic approach to unlocking maximum value from prime real estate assets through strategic, market-aligned development and partnerships.”

Kent Gush from Kent Gush Properties states, “I have been selling property for 40 years in Sandton and Olympus has been the most incredible success story of my career.”

Olympus Sandton offers a variety of premium residences, with prices ranging from R1.49 million to R7.2 million for studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments. Penthouses are available from R14 million to R45 million.

The sales team notes that buyers report Olympus Sandton’s most compelling features are its prime position in vibrant Sandton Summit, offering effortless connectivity, premier amenities and a dynamic neighbourhood. Also enticing buyers is Olympus Sandton’s 360-degree skyline splendour with unmatched views across Johannesburg from the 24-storey tower, which will become the highest point in Sandton. Olympus Sandton’s elevated dining from Marble Hospitality Group, served with the breathtaking panoramas from around The Athena’s entire 18th floor, is a distinctive drawcard, as is the next-level ground-floor curated fancy foodie grocery experience from Pantry by Marble.

Beyond location and lifestyle, Olympus Sandton is a design icon — a landmark envisioned by award-winning Architects Clark Hopkins Clark. With cutting-edge, eco-friendly design, it redefines green luxury, offering smart, sustainable living at its finest.