Through an innovative and ambitious approach to product development, Southland Regional are at the forefront of structural advancement models that allow the delivery of their mandate to the market. The company sees problems as an opportunity, and is wired to deliver answers instead of complaining about the operating environment. At the same time insulating themselves from the economic cycles.
They are a dynamic property development, concessions, real estate, and professional services company with a focus on transforming Zimbabwe and Africa’s infrastructure. Their motto, “People Busy Taking Responsibility,” encapsulates their unwavering dedication to shouldering the responsibility for the better.
“Our expertise spans the entire infrastructure life cycle, allowing us to identify, prepare, engineer, fund, and construct the critical infrastructure our communities need. From major projects to intricate developments, we approach each endeavour with passion, innovation, and a deep sense of responsibility,” said Gregory Gapare, Marketing Manager.
He added that the company’s development model is also very unique and yields substantial returns. “Clients who have worked with us can testify to this end,” he says.
Testament to their bold innovation and desire to make a strong market presence is Southland Regional’s recent launch of Property X, a product that “allows clients to acquire property fractionally and at a pace convenient to their means”.
The company has been under the public radar for more than 2 decades, but major projects have successfully been completed, mainly in Zimbabwe and even in the DRC, South Africa and Nigeria. Projects in Zimbabwe include the iconic and multipurpose Joina City, NMB new head office, FMCG retailer Pick n Pay (Kamfinsa), Riverside Walk (Avondale Mall) and others. For the DRC they have completed TESOL School.
Philani Mathiya, founder of the company and a board comprising of Richard Chakweya and Chaitezvi Musoni have been leading the company’s charge. Mathiya also sits on the board.
Supporting the trio are other key members of the company’s management team, namely Philani Mathiya (BSc, MSc, MZwIE, Pr Eng (Zim), MAPMZ, MPMI (USA), Pr CPM (RSA), Maxwell De Souza (BCompt (Unisa), CA (Z), Richard Chakweya (Managing Director – Southland Regional, BA (UZ) (MBA) (UZ), and Joseph Amos (Diploma in Quantity Surveying) (BSc Hon Project Management). Completing this list
are Bhekilizwe Ndlovu (Procurement Executive) B.A (UZ). M.A (Wits) HD (IPMZ), Success Kamjoma (Senior General Manager) BSc Hon Quantity Surveying and Gregory Gapare (BSc Hon Marketing Management, MAZ Marketing Practitioner).
Residential properties are the company’s main line of work, for they believe that “there is a need for residential properties that are of high standards and also, the area of business is quite profitable”.
The highlight of the past 20 years is that the business model has remarkably evolved from a civil engineering design and project management office to a property development firm. They also boast a full house of built environment professionals and a construction unit.
Gapare summed up Southland Regional’s impact on the Zimbabwean construction industry, saying: “The beauty of the built environment is that the results of our efforts will certainly outlive us. Our works will speak after we are long gone.”
The company’s commitment to the future and its legacy will be seen through efforts that are aligned with the following:
• Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy.
• UN SDG No. 1 – No poverty.
We have created direct employment through engaging staff on our projects, and indirectly through our supply chain network.
• UN SDG No. 6 – Clean water and sanitation.
• We were part of the professional team that worked on the Kunzvi Dam (Musami) design as well as the Harare Water Master Plan. In addition, all our land developments have reliable water and sewer reticulation infrastructure.• UN SDG No. 9 –Industry, innovation and infrastructure
• We designed and deployed a bespoke project management software called Colours which we use to manage all our projects.
• We intend to offer this product to the market.
We have designed, obtained regulatory approval and patented a product known as Property X which allows our clients to fractionally acquire property, at a pace convenient to their means. This product is currently generating great interest in the market.
UN SDG No. 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities We are currently working on the Chinhoyi Master Plan review and are motivating the review of the Gweru Master Plan.
Text by Martin Chemhere
From: S&D ISSUE 60
