GeoAfrika, Providing guidance, information and expertise across the whole project lifecycle. GeoAfrika draws on the skills of experienced professional teams working across surveying, land information systems, legal services and property managementProviding guidance, information and expertise across the whole project lifecycle. GeoAfrika draws on the skills of experienced professional teams working across surveying, land information systems, legal services and property management. The core service offerings include the valuation of property, acquisition of development rights, surveying in all of its forms, sales administration, development management, conveyancing, GIS mapping services and environmental assessments. With this comprehensive offering, GeoAfrika is able to work with clients, and add value, across the entire development process. This holistic view helps to reduce risk, cost and uncertainty for clients. Working as a collaborative team, GeoAfrika is able to build unique solutions for each project, and their secure, consolidated information system means they’re best able to harness the power of clients’ data through customised digital tools. GeoAfrika currently consists of four primary divisions: • Surveys - Providing accurate spatial data and survey management services across all aspects of the built environment. • Technologies - Enabling better decision-making in the built-environment through smart information systems. • Property Management - Ensuring seamless administration and maintenance, as well as enhanced facility performance, through customised building management solutions. • Legal* - Pioneers in development, planning and environmental law with expertise in the land-legal sector. *Enacted through the group’s attorneys HSG Incorporated. “I think we, as a group, can be very proud that the work we do fundamentally improves someone’s life,” says former GeoAfrika CEO Peter Hoffman. “We really do believe we can bring any project to fruition and make a difference in people’s lives.” Transformation There is a strong focus on transformation, and they take great pride in being the most transformed surveying company in South Africa, and not just the largest. GeoAfrika has provided bursaries to young, black land surveying students for more than 30 years, and also offers new graduates the opportunity to complete their articles at GeoAfrika. This created transformation long before it was a B-BBEE imperative, and has formed the basis for a strong, diversified professional team. Clients The company has an impressive list of clients, including Transnet, Tongaat Hulett, SANRAL, eThekwini Municipality, Eskom, Illovo, Daimler, Leisure Club, AECOM and the Department of Human Settlements, among others. Services Include: Surveys GeoAfrika Surveys specialises in the efficient capture, analysis and representation of spatial data for use throughout the development process. With a core focus on land rights and management, the division has also developed focused, specialised expertise in technical fields like engineering surveying, laser scanning and drone services. GeoAfrika Surveys is experienced at both large-scale infrastructure projects and smallerscale developments, and is a Level 1 B-BBEE Service Provider. • Sectional title surveys • Development management • Topographical surveys • Construction supervisory surveys • Engineering survey consulting • Laser scanning • Mobile mapping • Drone services Technologies GeoAfrika Technologies is a leading Geographic Information System (GIS) company with a focus on both geospatial solutions and app development. Having completed several hundred GIS projects over the past two decades, the team has invaluable experience across sectors including property development, transportation, water, health, economic development, development planning and housing. • Software and system development • GIS consulting and enterprise GIS implementation • Mass data capture (field and office), conversion and analysis GIS training • GIS web development and system hosting • Land audit, valuation and asset registers • Mobile app development Property GeoAfrika Property Management extends the group’s expertise in built environment services into the areas of facility and property management. The division’s offering encompasses everything related to the running of properties to ensure the client’s investment is maintained and maximised over time. With experience from largescale regional buildings to private townhouse units, GeoAfrika Property Management is able to customise solutions based on individual client requirements, all through an innovative digital platform. • Facility management • Property management • Space management • Asset management • Managing Agents • Accounting services Legal As the GeoAfrika group’s attorneys, HSG provides focused legal solutions throughout the development process. Established in 1990, the firm was the first specialist environmental law company in the country and has extensive experience in the land-legal sector. Operating closely alongside the GeoAfrika team, HSG is able to provide seamless legal support as needed, which makes the entire process more efficient for clients. • General conveyancing • Project-related conveyancing • Property law • Planning law • Land-legal solutions • Land tenure resolutions • Notarial practice • Environmental law • Property management • Commercial law • Property-related litigation PETER HOFFMANN, together with his late partner, John Manning, has built one of the largest land surveying companies in Africa, but is clear that he doesn't measure success in financial terms. "The work we do gives people a better life, and that inspires me daily," says Peter. Peter was led into land surveying by a chance encounter. "When I was about 16, I went with my dad to take the family car for a service and got chatting to someone working there. She introduced me to her son, who was a partner in a land surveying company, and before long I was spending my holidays working there and decided this was for me." Peter went on to study a BSc in land surveying and began working in Johannesburg. He was fortunate to get involved in major projects early in his career, one of which was the upgrading of the national road network - the Western Bypass project in Johannesburg. "I was doing my articles with John Manning, and the day I was admitted as a professional land surveyor, John offered me a partnership." He worked as a land surveyor for several years, while also studying part-time. First, he qualified as a town planner and then completed a law degree through UNISA. Peter had identified that diversification was the key to growth. Their company had developed significant project management skills, and they began to build a network of professional teams that were to become the foundation of the GeoAfrika Group. This diversification extended to Peter's own development. He moved increasingly into development, planning and policy writing, where he combined his legal knowledge with his survey expertise, with legal work gradually becoming his primary interest. Peter has a strong belief in the value that his profession and his company brings to South Africa. "The work we do has a positive impact on people, communities and the country. This is true for all aspects of our work; surveying, planning or legal. From a corporate perspective, Peter's vision is to provide a sustainable environment for young professionals to build a career. He points out that most of the industry is made up of small businesses, while GeoAfrika is a large practice, with a footprint across South Africa and throughout the continent. "From the outset in the 80s, we decided to offer bursaries to young, black land surveying students, and we create opportunities for new graduates to do articles with us. This has helped us to build up a loyal team of good, professional surveyors. The company now employs more surveyors than the large SOCs and we have created an environment to retain them. This is where they have built their careers, and this is where they want to be." The company works hard to create and maintain a strong value system in the business and Peter is clear that ethics and integrity form the basis of their culture. "I introduced an orientation programme for our new articled surveyors, and I always tell them it's okay to make mistakes. In fact, we expect it; it's the only way to learn. As professional surveyors, however, we are servants of the community at large and we must never compromise our integrity. So, if they make a mistake on a survey, they just have to admit it, so they do not generally make the same mistakes again." When asked what advice he'd offer people joining the industry, he notes that in every job, there is routine work, ups and downs, and sometimes even boredom, and it helps to do what matters to you. For Peter, success is not measured in terms of money, but in balancing work and his personal and spiritual life. A committed Christian, he attributes his success to God and when he's not spending time with his wife and family, he's a keen cyclist.PETER HOFFMANN, together with his late partner, John Manning, has built one of the largest land surveying companies in Africa, but is clear that he doesn't measure success in financial terms. "The work we do gives people a better life, and that inspires me daily," says Peter. Peter was led into land surveying by a chance encounter. "When I was about 16, I went with my dad to take the family car for a service and got chatting to someone working there. She introduced me to her son, who was a partner in a land surveying company, and before long I was spending my holidays working there and decided this was for me." Peter went on to study a BSc in land surveying and began working in Johannesburg. He was fortunate to get involved in major projects early in his career, one of which was the upgrading of the national road network - the Western Bypass project in Johannesburg. "I was doing my articles with John Manning, and the day I was admitted as a professional land surveyor, John offered me a partnership." He worked as a land surveyor for several years, while also studying part-time. First, he qualified as a town planner and then completed a law degree through UNISA. Peter had identified that diversification was the key to growth. Their company had developed significant project management skills, and they began to build a network of professional teams that were to become the foundation of the GeoAfrika Group. This diversification extended to Peter's own development. He moved increasingly into development, planning and policy writing, where he combined his legal knowledge with his survey expertise, with legal work gradually becoming his primary interest. Peter has a strong belief in the value that his profession and his company brings to South Africa. "The work we do has a positive impact on people, communities and the country. This is true for all aspects of our work; surveying, planning or legal. From a corporate perspective, Peter's vision is to provide a sustainable environment for young professionals to build a career. He points out that most of the industry is made up of small businesses, while GeoAfrika is a large practice, with a footprint across South Africa and throughout the continent. "From the outset in the 80s, we decided to offer bursaries to young, black land surveying students, and we create opportunities for new graduates to do articles with us. This has helped us to build up a loyal team of good, professional surveyors. The company now employs more surveyors than the large SOCs and we have created an environment to retain them. This is where they have built their careers, and this is where they want to be." The company works hard to create and maintain a strong value system in the business and Peter is clear that ethics and integrity form the basis of their culture. "I introduced an orientation programme for our new articled surveyors, and I always tell them it's okay to make mistakes. In fact, we expect it; it's the only way to learn. As professional surveyors, however, we are servants of the community at large and we must never compromise our integrity. So, if they make a mistake on a survey, they just have to admit it, so they do not generally make the same mistakes again." When asked what advice he'd offer people joining the industry, he notes that in every job, there is routine work, ups and downs, and sometimes even boredom, and it helps to do what matters to you. For Peter, success is not measured in terms of money, but in balancing work and his personal and spiritual life. A committed Christian, he attributes his success to God and when he's not spending time with his wife and family, he's a keen cyclist.

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Raleigh Maesela and Peter Hoffmann

Making A Difference

Providing guidance, information and expertise across the whole project lifecycle. GeoAfrika draws on the skills of experienced professional teams working across surveying, land information systems, legal services and property management. The core service offerings include the valuation of property, acquisition of development rights, surveying in all of its forms, sales administration, development management, conveyancing, GIS mapping services and environmental assessments.

With this comprehensive offering, GeoAfrika is able to work with clients, and add value, across the entire development process. This holistic view helps to reduce risk, cost and uncertainty for clients. Working as a collaborative team, GeoAfrika is able to build unique solutions for each project, and their secure, consolidated information system means they’re best able to harness the power of clients’ data through customised digital tools.

GeoAfrika currently consists of four primary divisions:
• Surveys - Providing accurate spatial data and survey management services across all aspects of the built environment.
• Technologies - Enabling better decision-making in the built-environment through smart information systems.
• Property Management - Ensuring seamless administration and maintenance, as well as enhanced facility performance, through customised building management solutions.
• Legal* - Pioneers in development, planning and environmental law with expertise in the land-legal sector.

*Enacted through the group’s attorneys HSG Incorporated.

“I think we, as a group, can be very proud that the work we do fundamentally improves someone’s life,” says former GeoAfrika CEO Peter Hoffman. “We really do believe we can bring any project to fruition and make a difference in people’s lives.”

Transformation
There is a strong focus on transformation, and they take great pride in being the most transformed surveying company in South Africa, and not just the largest. GeoAfrika has provided bursaries to young, black land surveying students for more than 30 years, and also offers new graduates the opportunity to complete their articles at GeoAfrika. This created transformation long before it was a B-BBEE imperative, and has formed the basis for a strong, diversified professional team.

Clients
The company has an impressive list of clients, including Transnet, Tongaat Hulett, SANRAL, eThekwini Municipality, Eskom, Illovo, Daimler, Leisure Club, AECOM and the Department of Human Settlements, among others.

Services Include:
Surveys
GeoAfrika Surveys specialises in the efficient capture, analysis and representation of spatial data for use throughout the development process. With a core focus on land rights and management, the division has also developed focused, specialised expertise in technical fields like engineering surveying, laser scanning and drone services. GeoAfrika Surveys is experienced at both large-scale infrastructure projects and smallerscale developments, and is a Level 1 B-BBEE Service Provider.
• Sectional title surveys
• Development management
• Topographical surveys
• Construction supervisory surveys
• Engineering survey consulting
• Laser scanning
• Mobile mapping
• Drone services

Technologies
GeoAfrika Technologies is a leading Geographic Information System (GIS) company with a focus on both geospatial solutions and app development. Having completed several hundred GIS projects over the past two decades, the team has invaluable experience across sectors including property development, transportation, water, health, economic development, development planning and housing.
• Software and system development
• GIS consulting and enterprise GIS implementation
• Mass data capture (field and office), conversion and analysis GIS training
• GIS web development and system hosting
• Land audit, valuation and asset registers
• Mobile app development

Property
GeoAfrika Property Management extends the group’s expertise in built environment services into the areas of facility and property management. The division’s offering encompasses everything related to the running of properties to ensure the client’s investment is maintained and maximised over time. With experience from largescale regional buildings to private townhouse units, GeoAfrika Property Management is able to customise solutions based on individual client requirements, all through an innovative digital platform.
• Facility management
• Property management
• Space management
• Asset management
• Managing Agents
• Accounting services

Legal
As the GeoAfrika group’s attorneys, HSG provides focused legal solutions throughout the development process. Established in 1990, the firm was the first specialist environmental law company in the country and has extensive experience in the land-legal sector. Operating closely alongside the GeoAfrika team, HSG is able to provide seamless legal support as needed, which makes the entire process more efficient for clients.
• General conveyancing
• Project-related conveyancing
• Property law
• Planning law
• Land-legal solutions
• Land tenure resolutions
• Notarial practice
• Environmental law
• Property management
• Commercial law
• Property-related litigation

Full Name of Company: GeoAfrika
Nature of Business: Built environment professionals
Services / Products: Surveys, technology, GIS, facility management and legal planning
Customer Base: State owned companies, local and national government, property development companies, consulting engineers
No. of Employees: 300

KEY PERSONNEL
Chairman: Mr Raleigh Maesela
CEO: Peter Hoffmann

CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address: 15 Acacia Ave, Grayleigh, Westville, 3630
Tel: +27 (0)87 941 6879
E-mail: info@geoafrika.co.za
Website: www.geoafrika.co.za

Branches:
Durban and Centurion