A new industry report reveals that SA’s facility managers are feeling the pressure of heavy workloads, outdated infrastructure, and tight budgets. Yet, they remain optimistic about the power of PropTech and AI in transforming their workload.

MRI Software’s The Voice of the Facility Manager 2025 report reveals that 62% of facility management professions across the EMEA region are “far too busy” or “on the busy side” with South Africans reporting the highest levels of workload pressure.

24% of facility management teams have experienced budget cuts in the last three years with 46% noting the bigger barrier as adopting new technology.

While South Africa reported the highest dissatisfaction with facility management technology systems among all the regions surveyed, 68% of the total of facility management professionals surveyed plan to invest in new technology within 12 – 18 months.

Despite the pressures, there remains a strong loyalty to the profession with 73% of respondents expecting to remain in facility management for the next five years.

“Facilities managers in South Africa are navigating a perfect storm of resource constraints, aging equipment, and rising expectations,” says Mark Fairweather, Managing Director, Africa at MRI Software. “Yet, despite these challenges, the industry is resilient and optimistic. This report is a call to action – for smarter tools, stronger investment, and greater strategic recognition of facility management’s role in organisational success.”