18th IHS Affordable Housing Conference

10 September 2026

Hosted by Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) in partnership with International Housing Solutions (IHS), this conference brings together investors, developers and industry leaders to explore how investment decisions shape the future of affordable housing and create long-term value across communities.

 

Sustainable returns in affordable housing begin long before construction starts. They begin with investment decisions.

How capital is deployed can have a significant influence on the long-term performance, relevance and resilience of an asset. The most successful developments are those positioned to meet the needs of the communities they serve, with access to employment opportunities, transport networks, education and essential services.

These distances matter, not only because they shape the daily lives of residents, but because they contribute to the enduring strength and value of an investment.

As the affordable housing sector evolves, the conversation is increasingly focused on how location, connectivity and community impact drive long-term performance.

Together, Nedbank Property Finance and IHS are helping shape the dialogue around investing for lasting value and building communities that can thrive. 

From decisions to distance. Smart investment decisions today shape the distances that define opportunity tomorrow.

Key themes shaping the discussion

Panel 1

Panel 1

AI in action: Where technology is delivering in property

 

AI and proptech are moving from promise to practical application. This panel looks at where technology is already making a measurable difference across property, from development and financing to transactions and operations, and where the value must still to be proven. The focus is on what is working, what isn't, and where the real opportunities lie.

Panel 2

Panel 2

Homes and holdings: The investment case for residential property



Residential property is both a home and an investment, and institutional investors increasingly recognise the potential of the 2 working together. With pension fund interest growing, this panel explores what it will take for residential property to establish itself as a credible asset class, from track record and governance to liquidity and returns, and what is needed to attract institutional capital at scale. 

Panel 3

Panel 3

Who gets to build? Bridging the gap for women in property development

 

Women are increasingly prominent as buyers and investors in residential property yet remain underrepresented as developers. Part of the challenge is a difficult funding gap: commercial lenders need experience, a track record, and delivery capability while emerging women developers need opportunities to build exactly that. This panel explores how women developers can move from smaller projects to bankable, scalable businesses, and the role that partnerships, joint ventures, specialist funders, and commercial banks can play in helping them make that transition.

Panel 4

Panel 4

Built to the number: The real cost of affordability



Developers know exactly what it means to build to a number, and this panel asks what that number demands of the development model. Affordable housing carries a price ceiling that no amount of ambition can shift, set by what buyers and tenants can pay rather than by what it costs to build. The conversation examines how developers, suppliers and financiers restructure procurement, sourcing and partnerships to close that gap while protecting quality, resilience and the long-term value of what gets built, moving past cost-cutting into the discipline of building against a budget that holds firm.

Keynote speaker

 

Justice Malala

Dr Edward Kieswetter

Dr Edward Kieswetter is a South African business leader and former Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), where he led the organisation's modernisation and institutional renewal from 2019 to 2026. With more than 35 years of executive leadership experience, he has served as Group CEO of Alexander Forbes and held senior roles at SARS, FirstRand and Eskom. Currently the Founder and CEO of vEKtor Solutions Laboratory, Dr Kieswetter is widely recognised for his work in leadership, governance, innovation and organisational transformation.

Meet our team of experts

 

Khayise Mashifane

Khayise Mashifane

Executive of Property Finance at Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking

Khayise has established himself within the residential property market. His visionary perspective has earned him opportunities to work with prominent stakeholders, and he strives to share his vision with individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

Advancing through a series of promotions in his 26-year career journey, Khayise pursued opportunities with several major banks in South Africa – 21 years of which has been in Real Estate Finance, where he has held positions including Senior Dealmaker, Head of BNG Housing Finance and Principal of Commercial Property Finance.  

In May 2018 Khayise joined Nedbank CIB as Senior Associate in Property Finance. He has a B Comm degree, a postgraduate diploma in Management Practices, a diploma and an advance diploma in Treasury and International Banking. Khayise is passionate about residential property and affordable housing, and beliefs that housing provides human dignity to our people. 

Vanessa Murray

Vanessa Murray

Divisional Executive of Property Finance at Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking

Vanessa is a Chartered Accountant by profession and started her career at BDO Spencer Steward. Post qualifying as a CA, she spent 2 years working at KPMG in the United Kingdom, focusing on the financial services sector. On her return to South Africa she continued working at KPMG as a Senior Manager in Transactional Services.

In 2001 Vanessa joined Standard Bank as a Credit Analyst and went on to hold a variety of roles across the organisation. She initially worked in Risk, where she held positions including Head of Corporate Credit, followed by Head of Country Risk and Head of Real Estate Finance Credit. She moved to Real Estate Finance in 2009, and was appointed as Head of Real Estate Finance for South Africa in 2017 before joining Nedbank CIB. With over 10 years' experience in real estate finance, Vanessa has a wealth of knowledge and brings a dynamic perspective to the industry.

Rob Wesselo

Rob Wesselo

Managing Director at International Housing Solutions (Pty) Ltd

Rob is a Managing Director responsible for the South African operations of IHS – a post he has held since September 2010. He is responsible for sourcing investment, structuring and negotiating deals with developers, and managing the operations of IHS in the country.  

Prior to joining IHS Rob was the Head of Commercial Property Finance (Property Investments) at ABSA Business Bank. He has held other property-focused positions, including Commercial Director at Pangbourne Properties and Head of Listed Property Funding at Rand Merchant Bank.

Rob holds an LLB from Wits University.

17th IHS Affordable Housing Conference

3 September 2025

Nedbank CIB hosts 17th annual conference in conjunction with IHS, the leading fund and property manager in the affordable housing sector in Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

The 17th Annual IHS Affordable Housing Conference explores the evolving landscape of housing in South Africa, where innovation, investment, and impact converge.

This year’s theme − 'Foundations for the future: Housing the new world' − frames a day of insight, strategy, and bold thinking, shaping tomorrow’s communities.

From bold developments to green leadership and inclusive design, the day’s conversations reflect a sector in transformation. More than just a meeting of ideas, the conference is a collective effort to drive meaningful change and reshape the housing landscape for generations to come.

It’s a moment to align, reflect, and act − laying the groundwork for a more inclusive, resilient future.

 

Key themes shaping the discussion

Panel 1

Panel 1

4 ways to build a future


From converted office blocks in Illovo to greenfield megaprojects like Lion Pride, four radically different development models will be unpacked by the panel, each with lessons in scale, delivery, and innovation. Developers take the mic to share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how these case studies can inspire a housing future.

Panel 2

Panel 2

From cautious to committed


SA’s biggest institutional investors are no longer on the sidelines; they’re in the trenches, funding housing. But what are their deal-breakers and what do developers need to change to keep them at the table?

Panel 3

Panel 3

She builds green

 

From climate-smart buildings to equity-led boardrooms, these women aren’t just leading in green development; they’re defining it. This panel spotlights the intersection of gender and sustainability in shaping the future of property.

Panel 4

Panel 4

Beyond the build

 

The value of housing doesn’t end at the brickwork. From early childhood education and SME upliftment to wellness and community design, this panel explores how developers and investors are driving social impact that’s real, visible, and measurable.

Justice Malala

Keynote speaker

JP Landman 

JP Landman is one of South Africa’s most respected analysts on political and economic trends, with a career spanning over 2 decades at the intersection of policy, finance, and future studies. As a former adviser to both the Presidency and the National Planning Commission, he brings a sharp, independent lens to the forces shaping South Africa’s socio-economic trajectory. His international experience, including a fellowship at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington DC, adds global perspective to his local insight.

 

At this year’s IHS Affordable Housing Conference, JP will challenge delegates to think beyond the immediate and consider the long-term demographic, political, and economic shifts that will define housing in the new world.

Insights

This year’s gathering brings together developers, investors, policymakers, and thought leaders to explore the future of affordable housing in South Africa. From bold new builds and transformative finance models, to green leadership and community upliftment, the sessions dive deep into what’s working, what’s changing, and what’s next.

Get ready for fresh ideas, real stories, and powerful conversations that are shaping the housing landscape.

 

IHS Affordable Housing Conference - 2025

This year’s gathering brings together developers, investors, policymakers, and thought leaders to explore the future of affordable housing in South Africa.

16th IHS Affordable Housing Conference

30 October 2024

Join us as we navigate the current climate and forge a path through these complexities.

The affordable housing sector in South Africa is at a critical juncture, offering exciting opportunities in what’s forecasted to be a more positive economic environment, yet still facing significant challenges. While economic pressures have driven up costs, innovative financing models and technological advancements offer pathways to make housing more accessible and cost-effective.

International Housing Solutions and Nedbank CIB will navigate the future together on the 30th October at the 16th I.H.S Affordable Housing Conference. By bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators, we aim to explore and harness these opportunities, ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for affordable housing in South Africa. 

Panel topics

Panel 1

Panel 1

Goldmine or gold dust?

Johannesburg’s CBD is at a turning point. Will it thrive or stall? Join our panellists as they dive into strategies to transform Jozi’s downtown into a vibrant urban hub. The private sector is ready to collaborate with government to map out the challenges, opportunities, and initiatives needed to steer the revival of the CBD toward a sustainable future.

Panel 2

Panel 2

Innovation in affordable residential property

The future of living is being redesigned. Our panellists will explore the game-changing innovations reshaping residential property, from smart tech to sustainable design. We’ll cut through the buzzwords to reveal the breakthroughs driving the next wave of living spaces, setting the course for homes that think as smart as they look.

Panel 3

Panel 3

Women leading in residential property

These women aren’t just shaping real estate; they’re rewriting its blueprint. Our all-woman panel will highlight how these leaders are breaking barriers and redrawing the lines of residential property.

Panel 4

Panel 4

The tipping point of water – navigating the edge of scarcity

Water is the pulse of urban life. Join our panellists as they navigate innovation and strategies to keep our city’s taps flowing, highlighting the brewing water crisis that could rival the impact of the electricity crisis.

Justice Malala

Keynote speaker

Justice Malala

Justice is one of South Africa’s most esteemed political analysts, known for his insightful commentary and sharp analysis. With his extensive experience as a writer, speaker and advisor to major financial institutions, Justice will provide a unique perspective on the intersection of politics, economics and housing in today’s environment. His latest book, We Have Not Begun Our Descent, was a national bestseller, and he brings his deep understanding of South Africa’s socio-political landscape to our conference.

Insights

 

IHS Affordable Housing Conference - Khayise Mashifane

Khayise Mashifane speaks to Nedbank Property Finances’ commitment to the affordable housing sector and partnership with the IHS.

IHS Affordable Housing Conference - Rob Wesselo

Rob Wesselo of International Housing Solutions discusses the upcoming 16th IHS Affordable Housing Conference with an exciting line up of speakers.

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