From the office of Pam Golding Properties
Courageous, determined and with the unique charm and tenacity to overcome any challenge, she launched The Pam Golding Property Group in 1976 at a time when the real estate industry was male-dominated and still somewhat of a ‘home industry'.South African property icon and leading businesswoman, Mrs Pam Golding (90), founder and Life President of the Pam Golding Property group, passed away peacefully on 3 April 2018 at her home, Wittebomen in Constantia.
Having turned what began as a hobby into a lifelong passion, with fearless entrepreneurial flair for people, property and business - and creating what ultimately became a thriving, global property company - Mrs Golding set the highly competitive property industry on a new course which continues to this day.
Courageous, determined and with the unique charm and tenacity to overcome any challenge, she launched The Pam Golding Property Group in 1976 at a time when the real estate industry was male-dominated and still somewhat of a ‘home industry’. She quickly identified a niche in the market for a discreet and professional property agency in South Africa, in the process building a reputation for selling the country’s most luxurious homes and building the integrity, trust and respect of the Pam Golding Properties brand.
In 1986 she took a courageous leap of faith by opening an office in London – at a time when the country’s international image was at its worst. Together with her son and chief executive Andrew, the business soon expanded further abroad over the following years, to more than 300 offices across Southern Africa and in various countries on the African continent, Europe and the Indian Ocean Islands.
An inspiration to women across generations throughout South Africa and indeed the globe, Mrs Golding was highly revered by her peers, the property industry and the business sector at large, receiving numerous accolades and awards throughout her illustrious career.
Admired and respected by clients and dearly loved by colleagues, agents and staff alike, her natural warmth and sincere interest in everyone she encountered were trademark characteristics which endeared her to all.
She will be deeply missed by her family including sons Peter and Andrew, daughter Jilly, their spouses and 10 grandchildren.
“True doyenne of South Africa’s property industry” - Lew Geffen
Lew Geffen, South African property industry leader and veteran of more than four decades who is Chairman of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, says Pam Golding was the total package - a formidable business rival with whom he shared a perpetual passion for the real estate industry.
Geffen describes Golding as “a big sky thinker” and an unswervingly ethical business leader who was instrumental in shaping this country’s property industry over decades.
“Pam was always a visionary and a lady through and through, with a warm personality that instantly drew her into any social setting or circle and made everyone around her feel completely at ease. It was one of her many, many skills; such a formidable mind should have intimidated most people who didn’t know her well, but instead people flocked to her.
“Pam started her business in 1976 with almost zero capital, but what she lacked in financial resources she more than made up with passion, an innate feel for the industry and an unerringly ethical business model that simply could not fail.”
Geffen recalls a day several years ago when Golding received yet another blue-chip national business award. “I sent her a text saying congratulations, but enough with the awards already – you’re not making the rest of us look good! A few hours later I received a return text in which she thanked me for sending her the funniest congratulatory message she’d yet received.”
Geffen says Golding was the one true “doyenne of South Africa’s property industry” and her insight and influence would be missed.
“It’s a deeply sad week for real estate in this country. We’ve lost one of the greats, and our hearts and condolences go out to the Golding family.”
"Left an indelible mark" - Herschel Jawitz
"Pam Golding has left an indelible mark on the real estate industry in South Africa. There is no doubt that her legacy and impact on our industry will continue to be felt even with her passing," says CEO of Jawitz Properties, Herschel Jawitz.
"She has left a lasting legacy" - Samuel Seeff
Chairman Samuel Seeff, on behalf of the Seeff Property Group, his mother, Carmella and brother, Lawrence and Seeff CEO, Stuart Manning, have noted the passing of Pam Golding with sadness and have paid tribute to her for her significant contribution to the real estate industry, stating that she has left a lasting legacy that will live on.
"She made time to make everyone feel special" - Diane Watkins
Pam Golding’s reputation as a formidable force in real estate stretched far beyond the borders of South Africa, and industry leaders in many countries are mourning her passing.
Diane Watkins, Executive Director of Barnes International Realty in Mauritius, says Golding had a rare, natural instinct for property and frequently read and responded to new market trends well before they were on anyone else’s radar.
“To this day Pam Golding lessons in the art of selling property form the backbone of my career, and I’ve had an even keener appreciation of her business skill since I had the privilege of meeting Pam in April 2008 at St Anne's, Seychelles. I was there with colleagues from Pam Golding Zimbabwe for a conference and at that stage I was still a relatively young property negotiator.
“I was in awe at the idea of finally encountering this industry grande dame who enjoyed such widespread respect... and who did I meet? A wholly approachable lady with a gleam in her eye and a dancing smile always lurking around her lips. She lit up the room. Even a decade ago, when she was no longer a young woman, yet she continued to show such grace, sharing kind words with each and every one of us. That’s no small feat at a large conference but she made time to make everyone feel special; and always with a touch of humour and enduring elegance.”
Watkins says Golding’s high standards and utterly ethical manner of conducting business were among her most significant inspirations as her career in real estate blossomed: “Any real estate company that adopts the business model Pam used to build what has become an international property force, will unquestionably flourish. This week the global real estate industry has lost one of its most forward thinkers, and we should all keenly be mourning that loss.
“Our condolences go out to the Golding family and Pam’s broader family with the company. She earned the title of Property Doyenne through years of passionate commitment to the industry, she leaves a magnificent legacy and her shoes will be very hard to fill.”
“Inspiration to everyone” - Mike Greeff
Pam Golding was a respected colleague that has left an indelible mark on the real estate industry, says Mike Greeff, CEO of Greeff Christie's International Real Estate.
“Pam forged a path for herself and so many others during her life and her passing has left a hole in the industry.
“I had the privilege of working with Pam for three years early in my career, and her passion for people and relentless energy was an inspiration to everyone and something unlike I had ever seen. May she rest in peace.”
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