About Itakane
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.
Marileen
van Schalkwyk
Quality Assure Manager | Skills Development Facilitator and Project Coordinator | Master Practitioner in Real Estate (MPRE)
Marileen van Schalkwyk has obtained her NQF Level 5 Master Practitioner in Real Estate (MPRE) qualification and is a motivated and knowledgeable Property Practitioner who believes that knowledge is key and essential for continuous learning and professional growth. Since entering the real estate industry in 2019, she has built a solid foundation in property sales and management while successfully running her own business.
Driven by a deep passion for the property sector, Marileen combines her formal qualifications with a strong commitment to quality assurance, structured training, and the development of others within the industry. In her role, she oversees smooth process implementation, ensures quality assurance standards are maintained, and supports the learning journey by guiding learners toward competence. She is also responsible for concluding moderation processes and ensuring readiness and compliance in preparation for QCTO qualification requirements.
She is known for her resilience, professionalism, and service-oriented approach to every client and professional interaction.
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.
CHERISE THEUNISSEN
Admin | Sales & Enquiries
Cherise holds a degree in Business Management and is currently completing her NQF Level 4 Real Estate qualification.
She plays an important role within the Itakane team, where her warm personality, strong organisational skills, and natural ability to problem-solve contribute to smooth and efficient operations. Cherise is actively involved in assisting learners throughout the course, ensuring classroom training runs smoothly and transparently, and that learners are supported and guided at every stage of their learning journey.
She has a genuine love for learning and is dedicated to growing within the real estate industry. Her blend of administrative expertise and developing industry knowledge shines through in everything she does, making her a valued and trusted support to both the team and the learners she assists.
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.
MARIAAN HEYNS
General Enquiries
Mariaan holds a qualification in Management and has approximately six years of experience in professional service environments, where she developed strong administrative, organisational, and client support skills. She has a genuine passion for working with people, building meaningful relationships, and delivering efficient, high-quality service.
She is known for being hardworking, reliable, and driven, with a keen eye for detail and a structured approach to her work. Mariaan is currently growing her career within the real estate industry and is busy completing her NQF Level 4 qualification, with a strong focus on training, development, and continuous improvement. She is committed to expanding her knowledge base and providing valuable assistance to both her team and clients.
With a positive attitude, a touch of quirkiness, and a great sense of humour, Mariaan brings a warm yet professional energy to every interaction.
“Rise, Learn, Conquer – The Future of Real Estate Starts Here”
Itakane Trading 156 (Pty) Ltd t/a Itakane Training Academy
ADDRESS
Unit 3,
8 Sandown Road,
West Beach, Cape Town, 7441
CONTACT
TEL: 068 802 5429 | 076 340 5663
WhatsApp only +27 66 256 9447
new-registrations@rplassesstraining.com
SUBMISSION OF PORTFOLIOS
submitting-PoE@rplassesstraining.com
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Hours
MONDAY-THURSDAY: 8am-4:30pm
FRIDAY: 8am–4pm
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QCTO (ID. SDP030125101001) 121691
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SETA (ID. 2276)
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QCTO (ID. SDP260126115114) 220319
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