Building Unity and Momentum: Why We’re Launching the Paddocks Industry Summit 2025
By Graham Paddock
After decades of working within South Africa’s community scheme sector – as a teacher, advisor, author, and contributor to legislative development – it has become increasingly clear to me that greater unity is needed across the industry if we are to effectively meet the challenges we face.
The Paddocks Industry Summit 2025 is our response to that realisation.
This two-day online event is designed to bring together diverse stakeholders from across the community schemes landscape in one inclusive, solutions-focused conversation.
It will be a space to share bold ideas, explore pressing issues, and reimagine the future of scheme governance and management – not in isolation, but collaboratively.
An Industry at a Critical Juncture
The environment in which community schemes operate is changing rapidly. We are experiencing intensifying pressure in several areas:
– Legislative Reform
The Sectional Titles Schemes Management Advisory Council is currently finalising proposed amendments to the STSMA and its regulations for submission to the Minister. While experts such as Jennifer Paddock, Marina Constas, Justin Mason, and I have made contributions to this process, these proposed changes have yet to be broadly disseminated.
Given their likely impact on the operational, legal, and financial responsibilities of both scheme executives and managing agents, it is essential that the wider industry becomes informed and engaged.
– The Performance of Regulatory Bodies
Nearly a decade since its inception, it is time for a mature and constructive industry reflection on the role and performance of the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS). Concerns about the accessibility, efficiency, and consistency of its dispute resolution services continue to mount.
Likewise, while the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) now regulates managing agents, there is a growing sense that this segment of the industry remains marginalised in its frameworks and priorities. There is much work to be done, and it cannot be done without feedback and input from those who work in the field every day.
– The Rise of Artificial Intelligence
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is already beginning to disrupt traditional scheme management practices — from automated minute taking, chatbot-based communication to predictive maintenance scheduling and document drafting. While these tools promise greater efficiency, accuracy, and cost savings, they also raise important questions around accountability, data privacy, and human oversight. As AI continues to evolve, industry professionals must equip themselves with the knowledge needed to navigate and harness these changes responsibly and effectively.
New Technology, New Possibilities
Historically, NAMA’s biennial conferences were the primary opportunity for industry professionals to come together to learn, engage, and share insights. These remain important and continue to have our full support.
The rise of AI-enhanced platforms and interactive virtual event technology now allows us to complement the traditional conference model, making it possible to convene large, meaningful gatherings more regularly, more affordably, and more inclusively.
The Time Is Now
We believe this is the right time to launch this initiative because:
- The issues we face are complex and demand shared understanding;
- The appetite for change and improvement is growing;
- And the technology now exists to make high-quality engagement accessible to all.
Yes, it’s an ambitious undertaking. But it is also a necessary one. Because the truth is if we want a better future for South Africa’s community scheme industry, we can’t wait for someone else to build it. We have to do it together.
This is our motivation and our invitation to you. We hope you’ll join us.
Article reference: Paddocks Press: Volume 20, Issue 05
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
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