Mahadi Buthelezi is a highly accomplished businesswoman with extensive experience in marketing and the property sector. She studied business management and marketing at Fairfax University, which laid a strong foundation for her career. Her first job was at SHADEX in Alexandra township, where she did marketing and fundraising for the organization, which provided support for persons with disabilities.
Mahadi then moved to Seeff Corporate Finance as a marketing executive, before joining Penta Publications which housed Tribute Magazine, a black excellence lifestyle magazine. In her role at Tribute Magazine, Mahadi was the marketing, events and promotions manager who organized the National Tribute Business Forums, which celebrated black excellence in Government and Corporate South Africa.
In 2000, Mahadi co-founded RB Properties, which later grew and was renamed the RB Property Group. Her leadership skills helped to drive the company’s growth, and she worked with Pam Golding Properties to launch the first black-owned real estate franchises, which were funded by the IDC. She was also instrumental in the acquisition and redevelopment of Ponte City, the tallest residential building in Africa.
Mahadi has been involved in several important initiatives in South Africa, including serving on the property transformation task team under the former Minister HRH Stella Sigcau. As Group CEO, she has spearheaded the company’s expansion beyond South Africa’s borders, with a strong presence in the East Africa region, eSwatini, and Botswana.
Mahadi is a strong advocate for gender equality and social justice in the corporate and civil society space. She is a board member of the Moral Regeneration Movement and Chairperson of the SACC Women’s Forum and a member of the African Women Leaders Network. She is also the Co-Convenor of the NSP on GBVF Pillar 5 on Economic Power, the WECONA Property Sector lead, the Convenor for UN Women’s Generation Equality Action Coalition on Economic Justice and Rights in South Africa and Africa region. Mahadi is a passionate humanitarian and philanthropist who is committed to building strong marriages and family life. She is also a member of the Faith Action to End GBV collective.
