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Background
it all started in 1999
In 1999 the SOHCO Amalinda development was initiated, with the support of the Flemish government, to address the prevailing shortage of social housing stock in East London in the Eastern Cape. Market surveys, land assembly, planning and funding applications were prepared and subsidies approved in early 2000, for the development of Sohco’s first project, Amalinda Village, in East London.
The process that SOHCO follows as a non-profit Social Housing Institution is to source well located land and develop affordable units for the rental market. As part of the development process, SOHCO applies to Government for a captial grant which pays for part of the construction of the development. The balance of the development costs are then sourced by SOHCO as loan finance. This method of financing allows SOHCO to develop units for the Social Housing RENTAL market and in the process enables the units to be rented out at lower than normal market rental value.
In order to comply with Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) guidelines, rentals are determined as a percentage of gross monthly income of all occupants. The current guideline is that combined household income should be less than R15 000 per month.
All SOHCO apartments are available on a RENTAL basis and all tenants sign valid lease agreements which clearly indicate all the terms and conditions of the rental agreement.
SOHCO is a private company and receives NO subsidies for rent or any operational costs. All operational costs are covered from rental collected.
Our VISION:
Opening the door of opportunity for our communities in well-located, good quality and affordable homes.
Our MISSION:
Sohco will achieve its Vision by:
Acquiring, developing, and managing residential property for occupation and use by qualifying low to middle-income households, in a tenant-focused, socially responsible, and sustainable manner.
Board Members
Strong and Involved Individuals
SOHCO is headed up by a strong and involved Board of Directors. Directors are drawn from a variety of sectors of South African society.
Sohco Amalinda Housing
- Mr Ishmael Mkhabela (Chairperson)
- Dr Willie Els
- Ms Heather Maxwell
- Mr Yves Wantens
- Ms Shirley Moulder
- Mrs Claudette Munsamy
- Ms Nomthandazo Pholwana
- Mr Brendan Pearce
- Mr Itumeleng Mohulatsi
Sohco Property Investments
- Mr Ishmael Mkhabela (Chairperson)
- Dr Willie Els
- Ms Heather Maxwell
- Mr Yves Wantens
- Ms Shirley Moulder
- Mrs Claudette Munsamy
- Ms Nomthandazo Pholwana
- Mr Brendan Pearce
- Mr Itumeleng Mohulatsi
Management Team
Qualified and experienced
SOHCO has a strong and qualified management team that ensures smooth and effecient operations.
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Property Systems and Compliance Specialist
Operations Manager: East London and Durban
Cape Town Regional Manager
Durban Regional Manager
Heather Maxwell
Claudette Munsamy
Diana Rathnasamy
Axole Blackbeard
Kashmil Gopal
Mondile Mahlasela
- Chief Executive Officer: Heather Maxwell
- Chief Financial Officer: Claudette Munsamy
- Property Systems and Compliance Specialist: Diana Rathnasamy
- Operations Manager: East London and Durban : Axole Blackbeard
- Cape Town Regional Manager: Kashmil Gopal
- Durban Regional Manager: Mondile Mahlasela
Furthermore, SOHCO has a team in each region in which it operates, with team members based at every residential complex.
Strict financial controls are in place, and the company’s books are audited by international auditing firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers.