Meet our Team

Amanda Marinus

CEO & Director, Itakane Real Estate Academy

Director since 2017

Amanda Marinus is the CEO and Director of Itakane Real Estate Academy, a leading institution in South Africa’s real estate training industry. With over three decades of experience in property, financial services, and business management, Amanda has played a pivotal role in empowering thousands of property practitioners and advancing the standards of real estate education across the country.

Amanda’s career in real estate began in 1988 when she obtained her Fidelity Fund Certificate. Since then, she has held various leadership roles in both the financial and property sectors. In 2015, Amanda took over the reins of Itakane Real Estate Academy, following the passing of her late husband and mentor, Pieter Swart. Under her leadership, Itakane has firmly established itself as a top-tier provider of real estate education, having trained over 6,000 real estate professionals, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and practical expertise required to excel in the competitive property market.

Amanda has been instrumental in transitioning Itakane to the new QCTO qualification framework, ensuring the academy remains a cutting-edge institution in the ever-evolving real estate industry. Her innovative approach to training includes the development of personalized learning paths, adaptive learning technology, and real-world simulations, all designed to maximize learner success. She is also deeply committed to fostering cultural competency and ethical practices in the real estate profession.

Prior to joining Itakane, Amanda founded and successfully managed GreenHouse Insurance (Pty) Ltd in 1985, a company that provided comprehensive financial services for over 30 years. Her extensive experience in financial management and business development has been key to her strategic leadership and continued success at Itakane.

Amanda’s unwavering commitment to quality education, professional development, and innovation has solidified Itakane Real Estate Academy’s reputation as a leader in the industry. Her visionary leadership continues to shape the future of real estate training in South Africa, preparing the next generation of property professionals to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Gift Silimela

Quality Assure Assistant | Sales & Enquiries

As a dedicated Quality Assurance professional at Itakane Real Estate Academy, Gift Silimela plays a crucial role in upholding and enhancing the quality of our training programs. With sharp attention to detail and a commitment to excellence, Gift ensures that all educational content and processes adhere to the highest industry standards. His continuous evaluation and improvement of systems contribute to the delivery of exceptional training, empowering real estate professionals to succeed in a competitive market.

In 2022, Gift successfully achieved his NQF Level 4 qualification as a Property Practitioner, further solidifying his expertise and dedication to the real estate sector. He is currently completing his NQF Level 5 qualification, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to growth and professional development. Driven by a strong passion for the education industry, Gift is dedicated to ensuring that every learner receives high-quality, reliable, and supportive training on their path to success.

ABIGAIL LOMBARD

Educator, Facilitator & HR Specialist | SDP (Skills Development Provider)

Abigail Lombard is an experienced Human Resources and Skills Development professional with a Diploma in Human Resources Management N6, an Independent Skills Development Facilitation Certificate, and a completed BEd degree from UNISA.

Since 2010, she has worked in various HR roles where she established full HR departments in every organisation she joined, supporting workforces of 100–250 employees. Her achievements include multiple awards, such as Employee of the Month and an Innovation Award for developing an employee engagement platform that improved staff morale.

Abigail now brings her expertise and passion for people development to Itakane Training Academy, supporting its commitment to delivering quality training and skills development.