Why black construction matters, the story of Nthoese Development's success

South Africa’s built environment tells a story far older than democracy. Roads, malls, office parks, and industrial zones are not neutral structures. They reflect who was allowed to build, where investment flowed, and who benefited from economic opportunity. For decades, Black people were excluded not only from owning property, but from shaping the spaces in which the economy operates. This history is why Black construction and property development still matter deeply today, not as a slogan, but as a structural necessity for real transformation.

Black owned construction and development firms do more than compete for contracts. They redefine who has agency in shaping economic geography. When Black developers enter the market and succeed, they disrupt patterns of exclusion that have endured long after apartheid’s legal end. They also bring investment into areas long dismissed as unviable, risky, or peripheral. In this context, the work of companies like Nthoese Development offers an important case study in what Black excellence looks like when it is rooted in discipline, delivery, and long term impact.

Founded in 1993, at a time when political change was imminent but economic access remained deeply unequal, Nthoese Development emerged into an industry dominated by established players with capital, networks, and institutional power. That it has survived and grown over three decades is not accidental. It reflects a deliberate strategy built on financial discipline, compliance, and an understanding of markets that others often overlooked. Its portfolio of retail malls anchored by national tenants in non metropolitan areas and government tenanted office buildings in Gauteng and Mpumalanga speaks to a vision that sees opportunity where others see risk.

This is precisely why Black construction matters. Development decisions shape who participates in the economy and where growth occurs. When Black developers invest in rural towns and secondary cities, they do more than erect buildings. They stimulate local economies, create employment, and introduce commercial infrastructure that allows communities to participate meaningfully in economic life. For many towns outside major metros, a single retail centre or government office complex becomes an anchor for growth, enabling small businesses, improving service delivery, and restoring dignity to neglected spaces.

The success of Black owned firms is often met with suspicion rather than celebration. Too frequently, achievement is interrogated through insinuation rather than evidence. This response reveals an unresolved discomfort with Black success in sectors historically controlled by a few. Yet the reality is that companies like Nthoese operate in one of the most regulated environments in the country. Public sector property development and leasing requires strict compliance with procurement rules, financial oversight, and contractual obligations. Sustained participation in this space over decades is itself proof of credibility.

The recognition of Nthoese founder and Group CEO, Mr Seabelo Herbert Theledi, as a recipient of the Entrepreneurial Leader Award in the SAIBPP100 Class of 2025 is therefore not symbolic. It is an acknowledgment by industry peers of consistent leadership, innovation, and contribution. The SAIBPP100 platform exists to recognise Black professionals who are not only succeeding individually, but advancing transformation within the property sector. This matters because visibility of Black leadership changes perceptions for younger professionals who still struggle to see themselves reflected in positions of influence.

Leadership in Black construction is not only about profitability. It is about mentorship, inclusion, and building pathways for others. Theledi’s commitment to developing talent and creating opportunities across the value chain illustrates a broader truth. Black owned firms often carry an implicit responsibility to uplift others, not because they are required to, but because they understand the barriers that still exist. This approach strengthens the industry as a whole by broadening participation and deepening skills.

Critically, Black construction matters because transformation cannot be achieved through ownership on paper alone. It requires firms that can execute at scale, manage risk, and maintain strong relationships with financial institutions and stakeholders. Nthoese’s strong balance sheet and strategic partnerships demonstrate that Black owned enterprises can be both commercially viable and socially impactful. This dual capacity challenges the false narrative that transformation and excellence are opposing goals.

There is also a moral argument. For too long, development decisions were made without the input of those most affected by them. Black developers bring lived experience into planning and investment choices. They understand the needs of communities that have been underserved, not as abstract markets, but as places where people live, work, and aspire. This perspective results in developments that are more responsive, more inclusive, and more sustainable.

As South Africa grapples with unemployment, inequality, and spatial injustice, the role of Black construction becomes even more critical. Infrastructure is not just about buildings. It is about creating platforms for economic participation. When Black firms succeed, they expand the ecosystem of opportunity, ensuring that growth is not concentrated in the hands of a few or confined to already privileged areas.

The recognition of leaders like Theledi should therefore be seen as part of a broader narrative. It signals progress, but also highlights how much work remains. Black construction matters because it challenges inherited economic patterns, builds capacity where it was denied, and proves that excellence is not the preserve of any one group.

The story of Nthoese Development is not just about one company or one award. It is about what becomes possible when Black vision, discipline, and resilience are allowed to thrive. It reminds us that transformation is not achieved through rhetoric, but through sustained delivery, ethical leadership, and a commitment to building an economy that includes those who were once excluded.

In recognising and supporting Black construction, South Africa invests not only in infrastructure, but in a more just and representative future.