1. iCOURSE" - Empowering Estate Agents Township training 2. Access to Info manual Feedback from Members 3. The Compliance Column (3) Financial Intelligence.



iCOURSE" - Empowering Estate Agents "It is empowering … it gave me a sense of security … it made me believe in myself" So wrote one of the twenty-six participants in our recent training course for estate agents from African residential areas, who have been isolated from the mainstream property industry for so many years. On the initiative of IEA Western Cape board member Joy Macnab, we met with them a few months ago to find out more about this neglected sector of our industry, and what we could provide in the way of professional support. The outcome was an 11-session programme, tailor-made for the group, which soon dubbed it "iCourse". It was presented by three of our top training instructors, an attorney, a lecturer from the Graduate School of Business, officials from the SA Revenue Service and the provincial Department of Housing, and representatives from our corporate sponsors, Standard Bank. "iCourse" covered principles of contract; property transactions; sales and marketing; rentals; business plans; financial planning; tax implications and savings; the Code of Conduct; buying houses in provincial or municipal housing schemes; first-time homebuyer finances; and a visit to the Deeds Office. The major practical assignment was that each participant had to produce a business plan for evaluation. An important aspect of the programme, which was built into each session, was what we called "life skills", with the emphasis on financial aspects such as credit records, avoiding debt, dealing with debt, and sound money management. Unlike our mentorship programme, we received no official funding for "iCourse" but Standard Bank generously provided sponsorship, for which we are very grateful. We asked our participants for their comments. "This has been one of the most interesting classes I've attended," wrote one, "Each lesson proved more valuable than I could ever imagine." "It gave me good professionalism - all the training that I needed for my business," wrote another. "I think all present learnt a lot from this course," said a third. This is only the beginning. A lot more needs to be done to empower estate agents, and we will be running another "iCourse" in the not too distant future. Access to Info manual - Feedback from Members "Now I feel the membership fee was a worthwhile expense," was the response of one of our members who bought our specially-written model Promotion of Access to Information Act manual for submission to the SA Human Rights Commission. All "private bodies", including estate agency firms, have until the end of this month in which to submit them. Since advertising the model manual in the June IEA News, we have sold dozens of copies. Copies are still available: phone Kate at 021 531 3180 to order one now. The Compliance Column (3) Highlighting the many things that estate agencies need to do to keep on the right side of the law. Please note that these are only pointers: for detailed information, you should contact the relevant authorities. Financial Intelligence § devise procedures ("internal rules") for complying with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act § compile a manual of those procedures - you can obtain a model manual from the Estate Agency Affairs Board (not from the IEA) § train your staff and agents in the procedures § appoint a compliance officer to ensure that everyone follows the procedures § verify the identity of each new client, i.e. seller or landlord, before concluding the transaction or establishing the business relationship § keep the verification documents on file for five years after the transaction or relationship has ended § report to the FIC any transaction which you know or suspect is "suspicious or unusual" e.g. it involves money-laundering or tax evasion, or may be associated with terrorist activities Website: www.fic.gov.za Government Gazette 27580 (20 May 2005)