In conversation with Marlene Pillay
STANDARD BANK
“You need to stay ahead, because these structural shifts result in opportunities over time.” This is equally true for the rest of Africa, where Standard Bank has a significant portfolio spanning over 15 countries. In addition to taking a long-term view, Marlene also cautions against a one-size-fits-all approach, as seen by many South African companies that have failed when expanding into the rest of Africa. “African countries are not homogeneous. African countries are not offshoots of South Africa.”
and what’s going on. It’s a derived demand sector,” she observes. She points to infrastructural
developments as catalysts for property investment. “Look at what the Gautrain has just done for various property nodes in Gauteng. The high-speed train has
really sparked a lot of real estate investment.” This perspective forces a long-term, predictive view.
Groot Phesantekraal View in Durbanville, Cape Town
October 2025 | Issue 141 | Asset Magazine 153
152 Asset Magazine | Issue 141 | October 2025
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