It is well-documented that women in the sector, despite having these qualities, are still subjected to a number of challenges: limited access to large-scale development funding and capital; persistent credibility bias; and, dominantly, underrepresentation in ownership and executive-level spaces.
Anita Momberg, Principal of Rock Properties, who over the past two decades has built her real estate career across brokerage, leadership, and industry advocacy, has a perspective that is rooted in experience and pragmatism. She has witnessed how talent and tenacity often collide with systemic barriers for women working in brokerage, development, and bond origination.
Along her journey, Momberg has devoted herself to understanding why these hurdles prevail, engaging in conversations with hundreds of her female peers and documenting the responses.
The reveals were not surprising, summed up as needs for:
- Greater representation in leadership spaces.
- Improved access to capital and funding pathways.
- Structured mentorship and collaboration.
- Stronger national visibility.
Emergence of the FPA
These conversations led Momberg to found the Femme Property Alliance (FPA) in August 2025, and she wasn’t responding to a gap in the market; she was addressing a structural imbalance that had persisted for decades. “Women have always been present in property,” she explains, “but presence isn’t the same as influence. We need a platform where women can collaborate, grow, and be seen as equal stakeholders in shaping the future of real estate.”
One of the mandates of this new Alliance is to set a national precedent for what inclusive property leadership looks like—and why it matters to everyone in the industry, not only women.
Inclusive by design
The FPA is not about exclusion, it’s about expansion. It seeks to broaden leadership pathways and strengthen the industry through inclusive collaboration. In Momberg’s words: “We’re not here to replace existing structures; we’re here to strengthen them. It is about creating pathways for women to move beyond the daily grind, and their inclusion in the strategic conversations that shape policy, ownership structures, and industry direction. Our male allies are welcomed and are indeed vital as partners and collaborators in building a more inclusive, representative, and economically dynamic industry.
“Male professionals should view the FPA as an opportunity, not a threat,” she explains. ”We are saying that when women are empowered, the entire property sector gains strength. We acknowledge that women are already driving a substantial share of property transactions, managing client relationships, and contributing and delivering operational excellence; now we need to take the next step, which is to design the systems, policies, and ownership structures that define the market’s future.”
By collaborating across gender lines, the FPA aims to create a more resilient, representative, and high-performing property sector—one that mirrors the diversity and ambition of South Africa itself.
The FPA is chapter-based. Heading up the Western Cape is Dawn Arendse, who has been instrumental in shaping provincial programming, regional partnerships, and member engagement, all of which build a foundation for sustainable growth and visibility. In Johannesburg it is Sanjay Barsathy Sookhun who oversees regional partnerships, member growth, and event programming. More chapters will be rolled out in forthcoming years.
But FPA’s growth isn’t merely about geography; it’s about connectivity, something that becomes increasingly more evident from the hundreds of discussions taking place between women across the property value chain: estate agents, conveyancers, bond originators, developers, and PropTech leaders. The message is clear—the talent exists, the ambition is strong, but the access points are uneven.
This is why the FPA’s membership model reflects its commitment to sustained, practical support. Members gain access to:
Monthly national webinars, educational masterclasses, and curated provincial networking events.
Access to leadership and strategic partnership events, industry exposure opportunities, and storytelling panels.
Mentorship and sponsorship opportunities, and access to development funding and capital.
Eligibility for the Chartall Business College Scholarship Programme, promoting professional development and lifelong learning.
Long-term goals
“The long-term vision is to become a national platform representing women across all sectors of property,” says Momberg. “Our current and expanding FPA ambassadors are respected women in property and adjacent sectors who embody leadership, credibility, and industry influence. They serve as speakers, mentors, and advocates within the Alliance. We also have to acknowledge Absa’s early commitment to the FPA in its backing of the movement’s vision for inclusive industry growth.”
As the FPA expands nationally, it signals more than growth; it signals evolution. “The property industry is entering a new era—one built on collaboration, credibility, and inclusivity,” says Momberg. “The FPA’s message is clear: when we build together, we build a stronger, more resilient and dynamic industry.” To learn more or register for membership, visit www.femmepropertyalliance.co.za.
