30 July 2026 | Johannesburg, South Africa
The Organisation for Real Estate Trainers in South Africa (ORETSA) has formally called on the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) to suspend the implementation of its newly announced alternative competency-based pathway for aspiring property practitioners until a comprehensive industry consultation process has been completed.
In a formal letter addressed to the PPRA Chief Executive Officer, copied to the Chairperson of the PPRA Board and the Minister of Human Settlements, ORETSA argues that the proposed pathway was introduced without meaningful engagement with the education and training sector responsible for developing South Africa’s real estate professionals.
ORETSA Raises Concerns Over Lack of Consultation
ORETSA, which represents independent training organisations, accredited Skills Development Providers, education specialists, assessors, moderators, curriculum developers and property education professionals, says the organisation was not consulted before the announcement was made.
According to the letter, members were not allowed to contribute to discussions on:
- The proposed competency-based pathway
- Qualification pathways
- Competency standards
- Assessment methodologies
- Professional examination requirements
- Practical training standards
- Quality assurance processes
- Transitional arrangements
- The impact on existing learners and accredited training providers
The organisation believes these issues directly affect the education sector and should have been subject to consultation as envisaged under Regulation 33 of the Property Practitioners Regulations.
Protecting Professional Standards
ORETSA states that its members have collectively spent more than two decades helping to professionalise the South African property industry by developing nationally recognised qualifications, workplace learning programmes and professional examination preparation.
The organisation notes that accredited providers have invested substantial financial and human resources into building education infrastructure, learning material and technology to support the profession. It argues that the proposed reforms could have significant implications for these long-standing investments and the future sustainability of professional property education.
Alignment with National Skills Development
The letter also highlights the importance of ensuring that any changes to qualification pathways align with South Africa’s broader skills development framework.
ORETSA says reforms should be developed in collaboration with institutions including the Services SETA, the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), all of which play statutory roles in occupational qualifications, quality assurance and the National Qualifications Framework.
Eight Requests to the PPRA
Among its recommendations, ORETSA has requested that the PPRA:
- Suspend implementation of the competency-based pathway.
- Begin the statutory consultation process before implementation.
- Engage formally with ORETSA as the representative body for the education sector.
- Consult the Services SETA regarding the impact on the national skills development framework.
- Consider SAQA’s role in protecting the National Qualifications Framework.
- Publish competency standards and assessment methodologies for public comment.
- Consider stakeholder submissions before implementation.
- Convene a National Property Education and Training Consultative Forum involving regulators, education providers and industry stakeholders.
Supporting Reform Through Collaboration
Despite its concerns, ORETSA emphasises that it supports the modernisation of education where it improves competency, accessibility and transformation.
“Our concern is not with reform itself,” the organisation states. “Our concern is that reforms affecting the entire education ecosystem should be developed through transparent, evidence-based consultation.”
The organisation concludes that meaningful consultation would strengthen regulation, improve implementation and promote confidence throughout the property profession.
ORETSA says it remains committed to working collaboratively with the PPRA, the Department of Human Settlements, Services SETA, QCTO, SAQA and other recognised industry bodies to develop an education framework that supports professional excellence, nationally recognised qualifications, consumer protection and regulatory certainty. We await a response from the PPRA! Acknowledgement of the letter was received from the CEO of the PPRA.