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MenuHomeUpfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon | MARAIS, Francois Jakobus JoubertBorn:Architect | ||
BArch (CT). Francois Marais has gained many hats over the last 20 years. He is currently the General Manager of MDM ARCHITECTS and Cosmos Management; CEO and Director of Safari Developments, Safarihold (Pty) Ltd, and also Chairman and Director of Safari Investments (Heidelberg) (Pty) Ltd, Safari Investments (Rustenburg) (Pty) Ltd, Safari Investments (Namibia) (Pty) Ltd and, his most prominent role currently is the CEO and Director of Safari Investments (RSA) Limited, a public property company holding investment property assets worth over R900 million. Architecture, though, has always remained his first love. He obtained his BArch at the University of Cape Town in 1964. MDM ARCHITECTS was founded in 1953 with the opening of the office in Windhoek Namibia, (then South West Africa), in which Francois became member in 1965 and partner in 1968. In 1970 Francois became a senior partner in the practice. In 1984 MDM ARCHITECTS opened a Pretoria branch in South Africa of which Francois was, and still is to this day, the Senior Partner and General Manager. As an Architect Francois has been involved at all levels of project implementation and management, including the following categories:
In 1990 Francois commenced a division for project development through which he has gained thorough experience and in depth knowledge of the financial implementation and mechanics of these projects together with coordinating multi-disciplinary consultants. Francois joined forces with Jannie Verwayen of Matla Quantity Surveyors (Pty) Ltd, Kiki Pashiou of Pace Construction (Pty) Ltd, Johan Prinsloo of The Roofing Guarantee Company (Pty) Ltd and Fanus Kruger of Fanus Kruger Consulting CC, to form the privately owned Safari Developments company which research, launch, and develop projects for the Safari Investments entities. In 1993 he is recorded as principal of MARAIS and DU PLESSIS ARCHITECTS and PROJECT MANAGERS. Since 1995 Francois has focused more on the implementation of commercial projects for the group Safari and its numerous Investment Companies. The Safari group's focus is, amongst other investments, to develop and promote property development and investment in previously disadvantaged communities and under-resourced areas with a view to uplift and benefit these communities. This enhances basic infrastructure and in turn encourages investment and support in these areas. This approach also targets the problem of limited tradability of properties in these areas. Safari has significantly improved the circumstances and opportunities for the communities in which these projects are located. Francois has been project leader and coordinator for all the retail projects launched by Safari. Some of these projects include: The Victorian Shopping Centre – HEIDELBERG The Mamelodi Crossing Centre – MAMELODI The Atlyn Shopping Centre – ATTERIDGEVILLE The Thabong Shopping Centre – SEBOKENG The Swakopmund Waterfront development is the latest and first international project for Safari and is currently under construction. Awards & Achievements
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