Greetings fellow DM Insiders.
I am a retired zoologist. I now work part-time as a fundraiser for an NPO: Africa A+ Schools. Based in Pretoria.
This DMC is looking good and I look forward to participating. Thanks to DM and all strength to DMC.
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Hi, my name is Rosalie Kingwill Pickering. I look forward to having conversations here, that is, with open minded progressive thinkers and hopefully no trolls to disturb my equilibrium. I am a news junkie and when not catching up on news and work, I am gardening in the street garden adjacent to my apartment block. I am a land reform and property rights researcher, generally concerned with land governance in all its manifestations. My particular interest is is cross-cultural systems of succession and inheritance.
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Hi All. I’m Muzi Sigudu. I’m a DBA candidate at Westford College University (UAE)/UCAM (Spain). I’m interested in Youth Development issues and the Job Creation Initiatives. My current research is on Factors influencing Voluntary Unemployment in South Africa as the topic of my thesis. I have followed with interest the unemployment statistics and was intrigued by Gerrie Fourie’s assertion of the 10% unemployment rate and the analysis that followed. I am a business consultant focusing on skills development and workplace placements for unemployed graduates within RSA, the rest of Africa and a few more countries around the world with special focus on internships and apprenticeships.
I’m quite excited about the DMC and look forward to connecting with people who are interested in unemployment issues and job creation initiatives. A great platform indeed!
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Hello all, I am Irene Zambelis. Very excited to be a part of this hub. I have a keen interest in health, healthcare, medical scheme, and insurance cover. Always a hot topic, especially with all the proposed changes to our health system.
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Hi, I’m Malcolm. I’m a retired veterinary pathologist (Onderstepoort graduate) living in Devon, UK, and find the DM invaluable in informing me of happenings in South Africa.
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Howdy! I’m just saying that because my wife’s friends were giving me stick about saying y’all - my preferred salutations are “Aweh” and “Word” which tracks with my profession in the employ of Daily Maverick on the Business Maverick team… My name is Lindsey, by the way.
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My name is Dave. I’m a retired architect with a lifelong passion for sustainable design and construction. In my younger days, I built a yacht — though, admittedly, that didn’t end well.
Recently, finally free from the constraints of clients’ wishes and whims, I was able to build my own home in Gqunube Green Ecovillage near East London.
My life has been eventful, but the most pivotal, life-changing experience came in 1990 when my family and I were held hostage for seven weeks by child soldiers in Mozambique. This was part of an attempt by an angry Renamo to pressure South Africa into resuming support after SA had adhered to the conditions of the Nkomati Accord. I can almost hear the eyebrows raising — but it’s true. The story is complex, and I explore it fully in my book, Not Child’s Play.
We were eventually rescued by the South African Navy, after secret negotiations and meetings worthy of a spy novel. As a result, I developed a deep respect for our military forces, which made the recent events in the DRC all the more painful to witness. Strangely enough, my wife and I happened to be in Goma when the M23 rebels attacked. No, I don’t have a death wish — but our reasons for being there are another story entirely.
Back home, we returned to responsible parenting and rebuilding our careers. Forgive the name drop, but a highlight of my career was the privilege to have President Mandela as a client for his retirement home in Qunu.
In 2000, I became involved in developing the Gqunube Green Ecovillage — a project that has been both rewarding and heartbreaking. We still have a long way to go if we hope to prevent our environment from turning on us — or worse, on our children and grandchildren.
Sometimes I think there’s another book waiting to be written: The Idiot’s Guide to Ecovillage Design perhaps? But then I sit back, listen to the birds singing, and the madness drains from my brain.
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I have worked with Mike and know him well. His intro is spot on. You don’t want to mess with him when it comes to ethics and the environment. Look forward to your input on the DMC.
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Hi there all DM readers, nice to emeet you all. I am Norah Stoops, a sort of retired nurse who works in the Health Information Systems field. Just as I think I will have some time off/out, more work comes pouring into my inbox. For work purposes I have travelled extensively through Africa and would love to tell you some of my stories. Been a DM Insider for many years and read DM morning and evening! My daily dose of attempting to understand SA and anything else.
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Hi all, I’m Menahem, I’m the IT systems lead for a renewable energy company, with a background in business systems architecture and delivery management. I’ve lived in Jhb since I arrived in South Africa in 1981 as a teenager. I like road and offroad cycling, hiking (especially in the ‘berg), adventure travel and music. I was a bass player in a band once, cycled through Vietnam and Cambodia, scuba-dived off Ustica, trekked the Himalayas and to date I’ve completed 17 Cape Town Cycle Tours.
I have been a DM insider since the initiative was formed. I believe DM is a critical publication acting amongst others as a watchdog over our democratic institutions and endeavouring to ensure accountability to the public at large. DM Connect is an interesting idea and look forward to being a contributor to this community.
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Hi Sherene - My name is Tony and I am the CEO of one of the 3 biggest real estate companies in SA. If I understood your dilemma correctly it seems that the Owner of the Unit above yours cannot be traced or is simply absent.
1. Duty of the Body Corporate:
Under the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act, the body corporate is responsible for the maintenance of common property, which includes structural elements like geysers (if not located within exclusive-use areas) and any part of a building that affects other units.
Even if the geyser is inside a privately owned flat, if it is leaking and causing damage to another unit, the body corporate has a duty to intervene – especially where the owner cannot be reached and there’s ongoing damage or a health hazard.
2. Legal Grounds for Forced Entry or Emergency Repairs:
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In cases where the owner is absent and access is needed to prevent damage to other units, the body corporate can:
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Apply to a Magistrate’s Court or CSOS for an order to gain access.
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If the risk is urgent (e.g. water damage, electrical hazard), they can arrange emergency repairs, then recover the costs from the owner later.
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This is supported by Prescribed Management Rule 22, which allows the body corporate to enter a section or exclusive use area for emergency maintenance or to prevent further damage.
3. Your (Shirene’s) Tenant’s Rights:
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The tenant has a right to a habitable dwelling, and prolonged uninhabitable conditions (like being forced to sleep in the kitchen) may amount to a breach of lease or constructive eviction, for which the landlord (Shirene) could ultimately be held liable if no action is taken.
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Therefore, it is in Your and the tenant’s interest for the body corporate to act swiftly, regardless of whether the upper unit owner is traceable.
What You Can Do Now
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Formally Write to the Body Corporate (if not already done):
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Request emergency access to the flat above due to ongoing water damage and risk to the downstairs flat and its occupant.
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Quote Prescribed Management Rule 22 and mention the tenant’s health/safety risks.
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Escalate to CSOS Immediately:
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Lodge a dispute stating that the body corporate is failing to carry out its obligations despite a serious maintenance issue and the absentee nature of the owner above.
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Request an order for emergency entry and repairs, or for CSOS to compel the body corporate to act.
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Request the Body Corporate Appoint a Tracer:
- The body corporate can (and should) hire tracing agents to locate absentee owners if levies aren’t being paid or access is needed. If the flat is abandoned or untraceable, this could also eventually lead to a court-sanctioned sale in execution if needed.
Who or what is CSOS you ask?:
1. What is the CSOS?
The Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) is a statutory dispute-resolution body for community schemes like sectional title developments (e.g. flats), homeowners’ associations, and retirement villages. It assists with disputes between owners, tenants, managing agents, and bodies corporate.
2. Types of Issues CSOS Can Help With:
In Your case, she could lodge a complaint regarding:
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The body corporate’s failure to maintain common property (e.g. a malfunctioning geyser affecting multiple units),
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The lack of responsiveness from the managing agent or body corporate,
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The violation of a tenant’s right to habitable living conditions, which is protected under both the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act and consumer protection laws.
3. Steps to File a Complaint with CSOS:
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Step 1: Try to resolve the issue internally via written communication with the rental agent and the body corporate. Keep all correspondence.
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Step 2: If no resolution, complete a CSOS Form A: Application for Dispute Resolution.
- Link to form: https://www.csos.org.za/forms
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Step 3: Submit the form with supporting documents (emails, photos of the damage, repair quotes, medical concerns if any) to the CSOS.
4. How to Contact the CSOS (Western Cape Office):
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Email: [email protected]
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Phone: 021 001 2569
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Physical address: 8th Floor, Constitution House, 124 Adderley Street, Cape Town
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Website: www.csos.org.za
regards Tony Clarke
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Hi there, I have been living in Abu Dhabi for the past 5 ½ years, after spending close to 5 years in Singapore. I do scanning for a futures institute and keep up to date on what’s happening in SA, using DM, amongst quite a few others. This is in addition to my day job at a university in the UAE, where I am involved in executive education and post-grad studies.
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I am Cecil Murray, and have worked as a coach, facilitator, and educator in 11 countries across five continents. With a deep grounding in adult education, business, and systems coaching, I specialise in human behavior change within teams and organisational systems.
I love working with leaders to cultivate trust, navigate conflict, and build high-performance cultures. As co-owner of a purpose-driven company, I am committed to helping teams move toward more skilful relating, guided by the belief that relationships matter, contribution counts, and people thrive when they feel safe to be fully human.
Each day I am learning to be a better husband, father, and grandfather of four. I find joy and renewal in mountain biking, adventure, and connection.
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Hi Tony
I’m very grateful indeed for this info you’ve provided.
I did insist the BC force entry into the flat above. They actually replied that they had no right to do so. I couldn’t believe it but then thought what a country ! It’s also why I emailed a ‘property lawyer’ who was not remotely concerned nor interested in acting on my behalf. I could only presume she too was a landlord.
Any chance you could recommend a property lawyer, perhaps in the Cape Town area ? I’m in London, so not at all convenient right now.
Thank you
Shirene
Hi Shirene
I do know many property lawyers but cannot vouch if any of them will take up a matter such as this - they usually deem this too small a case to warrant the work involved. That is why I suggested you follow the CSOS route and get them to hold the Body corporate accountable.
One attorney you can possibly try is:
Robert Krautkramer
Miltons Attorneys
082 823 6781
Hi Folks,
Ian Graham-Parker here.
Born and bred in Joburg, living in Knysna for four years now.
Looking forward to meaningful engagements.
Thanks DM for this initiative!
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Hi all, Helen Kneale here. After 30 years in Johannesburg working in the SAP (Financial Systems, not police!) area we (husband & I) along with very many fellow friends have finally made it to Cape Town where we are loving our new life. I am an ardent contributor to DM and feel very strongly about the role that it plays in our society. I have many sporting interests as well as a passion for reading anything I can get my hands on as well as keeping up with SA & world news. Love DM articles.
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Hi - my name is Nadya. After a stint in corporate, I became a full time yoga teacher after the birth of my youngest kiddo and opened my own yoga studio in 2014. Unfortunately it closed during COVID, but as a happy coincidence it was the last thing tying us to Gauteng so we set the ball rolling and finally moved to CT in 2022. Best thing we ever did!
These days I provide a whole range of freelance services including, graphic design, curriculum creation/editing (usually online coaches/workshops), newsletter and other content creation, general graphic design, exam and test assistant for high schools, and mentoring/support/coaching (usually for yoga teachers sometimes writers which would include proofreading and editing).
I have too many hobbies, tend to talk too much, and LOVE thunderstorms (rain in CT is great, but thunderstorms are the only I miss. about GP). I love language, books, movies (especially gothic and horror), yoga, theatre, Shakespeare, trees, cats, the ocean, and black coffee.
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Good morning to you all
What a fantastic initiative this is! Congrats, Daily Maverick!
I am one of your Afrikaans speaking readers, 64 years of age, retired but busy with a masters degree in Sexology. Loving (nearly) every minute of it!
I previously worked in public relations, tourism and did a little bit of farming too. To be a farmer was by far the best!
Thank you for your work, Daily Maverick! I value integrity above all else and rejoice every time I read something in which this scarce personal attribute nowadays in South Africa can be observed. Keep up the good work.
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Hello everyone, my name is Annemari Coetser and I’m excited to be part of this wonderful group of people. I’ve been a member of DM forever and it is my favourite source of news, views, opinion and just about everything else. Thankfully we are as diverse as the universe and open-minded to boot.
I was born in Durban, my home is in Pretoria, my heart is in the Eastern Cape and I attended schools in KZN, the Free State and the Eastern Cape. Before my first marriage I worked in Bloemfontein and Kimberley. We spent three years in Washington, DC and four years in Namibia when it was still called South West Africa. Since then Pretoria is my home town and beautiful Chintsa East is our preferred holiday stay. I studied through UNISA and worked as a libriaran for 17 years.
I’ve been very fortunate to be able to travel overseas quite a bit. My husband and I took many long road trips throughout South Africa as well – I think we’ve been to almost every town and city. My hobbies are writing, reading, (a lot of reading!) gardening, learning watercolour painting, photography, travelling, and spending quality time with my friends and family.
I would be thrilled if Pretoria could also become a social hub. Thank you for this great initiative.
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