Property Point has launched a R26 million Real Estate Incubator Programme with the support of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to tackle SA’s youth unemployment crisis and transform the country’s real estate sector.

Targeting the creation of 699 new jobs in the real estate value chain, the programme will empower young South Africans with the skills, tools, training, and financial support to build sustainable careers as property professionals and entrepreneurs.

The initiative will directly address structural barriers within the industry including (and not limited to) the high licensing costs to become a property practitioner, individuals only earning commission (as opposed to a regular monthly income), and limited access to networks.

Property Point now offers new entrants the opportunity to join the real estate industry as a preferred career choice, benefiting from a fully integrated support system including:

• Paid stipends during ramp-up.
• Licensing and equipment support.
• Personal training and development programmes.
• Hands-on mentorship with real estate brands.

“With South Africa’s youth unemployment rate at a staggering 62.4% (ages 15 – 24), this initiative is not just a job creation programme – it’s a movement toward inclusive transformation in one of the country’s least transformed industries,” says Shawn Theunissen, CEO and Founder of both Property Point and Entrepreneurship to the Point.

The key outcomes of the Real Estate Incubator Programme include training and placement of 699 youth, developing strategic partnerships with leading real estate brands, income generation pathways through sales and rentals, and the creation of a scalable model for national replication and long-term industry impact.

Individuals wanting to join the real estate industry can apply via Property Point’s digital platform. No previous real estate experience is required however, only those who have a keen interest and passion for selling/letting properties will be considered.

“At a time when SA’s youth unemployment is as high as it is, the need for bold, practical, and scalable interventions has never been more urgent. Youth unemployment is more than an economic issue, it is a national emergency threatening to undermine the country’s long-term stability, growth, and social cohesion,” notes Theunissen.

“In a context where one in every four properties sold is sold to people aged 35 and younger, the Property Point Real Estate Incubator Programme recognises that youth are not just a demographic challenge, but a powerful untapped economic force. This initiative reframes young people not as passive recipients of aid, but as active contributors to economic transformation, when given the right support, tools, and platforms.”

The programme is designed to go beyond short-term job placement, instead creating meaningful career pathways and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. It allows participants to see themselves as future owners, landlords, property managers, and real estate leaders, not just employees. In a sector often out of reach for historically marginalised South Africans, this programme also helps dismantle the barriers that keep young people on the outside looking in.

By providing real income opportunities, paid learning, and structured mentorship, the initiative plants the seeds for generational impact, enabling youth to earn, grow, and build wealth. This incubator demonstrates what is possible when the public and private sectors come together to create real solutions for real people, with youth at the centre.

As South Africa searches for scalable models of change, the Real Estate Incubator Programme is more than a pilot, it is a blueprint for how to invest in young people, transform industries, and unlock the country’s full economic potential.