The South African Multifamily Residential Rental Association (SAMRRA) has appointed Palesa Mkhize as its first full-time CEO.

Mkhize brings more than 16 years’ experience across banking, infrastructure investment, and housing finance along with a deep commitment to housing as a driver of inclusive economic growth.

She joins SAMRRA from Standard Bank’s Investment Banking Division where she was Head of Affordable Housing Development, leading large-scale housing delivery, the development of integrated blended finance models, and having secured green construction funding from institutions such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC). She also partnered on major projects with developers including Calgro M3. Her previous roles include housing and infrastructure finance at Old Mutual Investment Group.

“Multifamily is dignity, opportunity and stability, and it is a great investment,” she says. “SAMRRA is well placed to help shape a more inclusive and investable multifamily future for South Africa, and over the past 18 months has established excellent momentum. I’m honoured to help carry that vision forward.”

“The appointment of a dedicated CEO reflects the growing scale and strategic importance of professionally managed rental housing in South Africa,” says Myles Kritzinger, SAMRRA’s founding and outgoing CEO. “We’ve laid a strong foundation built on data transparency, aligned communities and long-term value. The next phase is about deepening that impact and unlocking further growth. Palesa is the right leader for this moment.”

As CEO, Mkhize will lead SAMRRA’s next phase, focused on three priorities: improving transparency, building investor confidence and enabling data-driven decisions.

“This sector has proven to be resilient, and the asset class has shown itself to be defensive, making it ideal for institutional investment,” she says. “The task ahead is therefore to increase investment.”