On 23 January 2025, Atterbury Property Western Cape welcomed clients, property brokers, suppliers, and associates to its annual “Afskop” event – a unique kick-off to the year that’s become a cherished tradition. Now in its fifth year and unlike typical year-end functions, “Afskop” is all about looking forward, celebrating partnerships, and igniting enthusiasm for the year ahead.
Gerrit van den Berg, Head of Developments for the Western Cape, set the tone for the afternoon with a warm welcome and a candid reflection on the past year. Acknowledging the challenges of 2024, including a quiet economic market and some setbacks, Gerrit emphasised Atterbury’s unwavering optimism for 2025. He highlighted several positive factors on the horizon, including the seemingly promising collaboration of the GNU (Government of National Unity), the Springboks’ continued reign as world champs, anticipated interest rate decreases, and a playful nod to the political landscape across the Atlantic.
Gerrit’s speech resonated with the audience as he spoke about the privilege of working with a diverse range of individuals, from inspiring CEOs to passionate entrepreneurs. He shared anecdotes of recent encounters that had sparked his own inspiration, citing examples like Adrian Basson of Hungry Lion whose forward-thinking embrace of AI, cloud computing, and automated systems that is revolutionising the food industry and results in a massive expansion and roll-out for the group.
In the heart of Stellenbosch, against the backdrop of the historic La Gratitude Herehuis heritage building in Dorp Street, Atterbury Property Western Cape hosted its Afskop function on 25 January 2024. This annual event, now in its third year, kicks the year off in a uniquely celebratory manner. Unlike conventional year-end functions, the Afskop event embodies the spirit of new beginnings and informal camaraderie, setting the tone for the year ahead.
The Afskop 2024 function welcomed a diverse gathering of Atterbury’s business partners, investors, shareholders and consultants from across the Western Cape. This gathering highlights our dedication to nurturing robust, cooperative partnerships with all our stakeholders. Held in the open-air setting of our office’s outside parking area, the event provided an ideal environment for networking, reflection and forward-looking optimism.
Gerrit van den Berg, the Head of Developments for the Western Cape at Atterbury Property, delivered an inspiring, positive message to those in attendance. He spoke of the essential ingredients for success in the coming year: A measure of luck, an abundance of grace and the importance of surrounding ourselves with supportive and capable individuals.
Central to Gerrit’s message was the powerful story of Charles Plumb, a US Navy jet pilot in Vietnam, who survived being shot down thanks to the efforts of someone he had never met – the person who packed his parachute. This narrative is not just about luck or survival; it is a metaphor for the unseen support and contributions that enable us to reach our goals and succeed in our endeavours. It prompted us to reflect on our own lives and careers, asking ourselves: “Who’s packing our parachutes?”
The Afskop 2024 function was a true embodiment of Atterbury Property’s ethos, encapsulating our dedication to excellence, collaborative spirit and gratitude. As we advance, crafting iconic structures and fostering spaces that energise and benefit communities, we embrace the ethos of Afskop 2024, which reinforces the significance of recognising every individual’s contribution to our collective success. Here’s to a year filled with remarkable achievements and the continued strengthening of the bonds that make our success possible.
