Those seeking to purchase property in Khayelitsha should look no further than Leapfrog Somerset West’s latest rising star, Charity Maphosa.

Charity sold four properties worth almost R1.5million within a month after joining the Leapfrog Somerset West branch in May 2010. The sales are that much more notable given that Charity only qualified as an estate agent in late 2009. She is one of the first black Cape Town estate agents to qualify under the new real estate agent legislation.

Charity is no stranger to success. As a youngster, she excelled at school where she captained both the junior and senior netball teams and was elected Head Prefect.

Upon graduating, Charity joined the Register of Deeds and Companies in Bulawayo. Within a few short years she was appointed Senior Examiner and was tasked with overseeing all cadets and examiners.

Following a successful period in this position, Charity decided to explore other avenues. In 1996, she became a secretary for the High Court of South Africa in Transkei. She recorded court proceedings and judgments in this capacity. A year later, Charity obtained a diploma as a Company Secretariat.

Charity later found employment with a legal recruitment company which contracted her out to various major conveyancing firms in Cape Town whenever staff shortages arose in their deeds departments.

In 2009, Charity decided to put her experience into practice and applied to become an estate agent. If her first month in the industry is anything to go by, it would seem that she has all the makings of becoming a property market superstar.

The thing about Leapfrog…
Charity was attracted to the Leapfrog property group for a number of reasons, chief amongst which is the company’s unorthodox stance to South Africa’s predominantly family-owned real estate agency industry and steadfast commitment to its customers.

Piet du Toit, Principal of Leapfrog Somerset West elaborates: “At Leapfrog, we don’t view agents as stepping stones; rather we count them as stakeholders. Many agents have turned to us as we effectively champion the agent though offering radically improved earning potential as well as long-term financial security. Likewise we treat our clients as individuals deserving of the best possible service and we take pride in matching the right property to the right person.”

Established in June 2007, Leapfrog is South Africa’s first empowered, national property group. Since its inception, the company has punched well above its weight and ruffled many a feather along the way.

This non-conformist attitude has paid off. In just three years of operating, Leapfrog has opened 50 successful offices headed up by some of SA’s brightest real estate stars. Approximately 300 agents now work under the Leapfrog banner of which 150 have qualified under the new educational requirements implemented by the Estate Agents Affairs Board. A further 70 are in the process of completing these qualifications.

Akin to Leapfrog, Charity has had to overcome a number of challenges to get where she is today. Unsurprisingly, she believes her success stems from her thorough understanding of the property transfer process, a trait she says all agents could benefit from.

Charity will be servicing the Khayelitsha property market area as of June 2010. Any property queries can be directed to:
Cell: 078 221 3654
Email: charity.maphosa@leapfrog.co.za