In the rapidly evolving landscape of African real estate, Botswana is emerging as a beacon of sustainable and strategic property development. At the centre of this evolution stands a new generation of leaders who combine technical expertise with a passion for transformative impact.
One such leader is the Commercial Property Manager at Khumo Properties, Kagiso Sebetso , whose journey from construction project management to managing some of the countryโs most significant commercial assets is as inspiring as it is instructive.
A Ground-Up Ascent: The Making of a Property Strategist
Her professional narrative begins with solid academic credentials in Construction Project Management, reinforced by a Masterโs in Property Studies. This foundation set the tone for a career that would bridge theory and practice across multiple spheres of real estate. โSince graduating, I have worked across property administration, project management and sales management,โ she reflects.ย
Kagisoโs resume is further strengthened by sustainability credentials, including certifications from the Green Building Council of South Africa and the International Finance Corporationโs EDGE programme.
Her academic pursuits did not end in the lecture hall. Motivated by a growing awareness of environmental responsibility in real estate, she ventured into renewable energy, particularly solar PV, where she offered both administrative support and strategic advisory services. Over time, this commitment to learning and adaptation became a hallmark of her career.
Khumo and the Return of a Visionary
Her career began at Khumo Properties as a Property Administrator. โThat role gave me firsthand exposure to the mechanics of property operations,โ she states.
ย โI later transitioned into project management where I oversaw developments, tenant installations, and property sales.โย
Driven by a desire to merge sustainability with mainstream property development, she was soon specialising in Green Building management. However, she quickly determined that sustainability should not exist in a silo.
โI didnโt want to pursue Green Building as a standalone discipline,โ Sebetso explains. โI wanted to integrate it into the broader property ecosystem.โ That realisation led her back to Khumo Properties, this time in a leadership role as Property Manager – Commercial. Here, she is responsible for high-value portfolios, focusing on tenant relationships, lease administration, and optimising technical performance of commercial assets.
Strategic Thinking Meets Sustainability
In her current role, she brings a strategic, client-facing lens to property management.
ย โWhat drew me to this position was the diversity of the portfolios and the opportunity to engage directly with stakeholders,โ she explains. โItโs a strategic space where my combined experience in project management, sustainability and property operations adds real value.โ
At Khumo, Sebetso is tasked with managing multi-tenant commercial properties, office blocks, retail centres, and industrial spaces. Her goal? To preserve and grow the value of these assets, ensuring that they deliver long-term returns for clients while supporting broader economic development.
Navigating Leadership and Gender Dynamics
As one of the few women in Botswanaโs male-dominated construction and property sectors, her leadership journey has not been without challenges. โThere have been times when my technical expertise was underestimated,โ she states. โBut Iโve overcome that by consistently delivering on projects and proving that results, not gender, should define leadership.โ
Sebetso advocates for inclusive leadership models. โWomen bring a nuanced approach โ strategic, yet empathetic. When we embrace diversity, teams become more cohesive and organisations more innovative.โ
In her workplace, she actively supports gender equality by mentoring emerging female professionals and striving to lead by example. โWeโve made progress in Botswana, but we need more women in top-tier decision-making roles, especially in real estate and infrastructure,โ she says.
Building Botswana, One Asset at a Time
Commercial property is a powerful engine in Khumoโs broader strategy. These assets are more than just buildings but economic nodes that catalyse business activity, employment and urban renewal.
ย โCommercial properties offer longer lease terms, stable income, and diversification through multi-tenant configurations,โ she notes. Theyโre key to value creation.โ
Sebetso emphasises that commercial real estate plays a pivotal role in Botswanaโs economic development. โIt attracts investment, supports entrepreneurship and drives infrastructure development,โ she says. โReal estate is more than a sector – itโs a backbone of economic diversification.โ
While specific figures are still under wraps, Khumoโs commercial property portfolio spans strategic developments that house major corporates, retailers and logistics operations. These projects have contributed significantly to job creation, skills transfer and local supply chains.
Future-Forward: Innovation, Investment, and Impact
Looking ahead, Khumo Properties is aligning its investment strategy with national priorities. โThereโs a clear linkage between our investments and Botswanaโs infrastructure ambitions,โ she states. โFrom mixed-use urban centres to sustainable industrial parks, weโre looking at projects that enhance economic resilience.โ
Asked about Khumoโs approach to funding, Sebetso highlights a blended model that balances internal financing, equity partnerships and commercial lending. โWe prioritise financial sustainability and strategic alignment in all our acquisitions and developments,โ she says.
Though she is still new in her role, her influence is already reshaping how commercial property is managed by infusing it with sustainability principles, stakeholder-centred management, and long-term strategic thinking.
A Leader for a Changing Property Landscape
In a market where the stakes are high and the expectations even higher, the Property Manager -Commercial at Khumo Properties stands out as a dynamic, forward-looking leader. Her journey reflects the changing face of African real estate; one where technical mastery, sustainability, inclusivity, and strategic foresight converge.
As Botswana positions itself as a hub for real estate innovation in the southern African region, it will be leaders like her – thoughtful, grounded and resilient, who will ensure that the sector is not only profitable but is also impactful.
