Zebinvest: A Game-Changing Leasehold Model That’s Reshaping South African Real Estate

By Warren Brusse, Chief Executive Officer, Zebinvest Real Estate Development

Just as Uber revolutionised the global taxi industry by rethinking asset ownership and operational efficiency, Zebinvest is doing the same for real estate through a "game-changing" leasehold development framework.

In 2022, Zebinvest Real Estate Development was founded with a clear and powerful vision: to unlock long-term value through a bold new approach to property development - one rooted in innovation, sustainability, and community impact. As we reflect on our journey, we are proud not only of what we’ve created, but of how we are changing the way land, capital, and development intersect in South Africa.

Just as Uber revolutionised the global taxi industry by rethinking asset ownership and operational efficiency, Zebinvest is doing the same for real estate through a "game-changing" leasehold development framework. By separating land ownership from building ownership, we are transforming access to real estate development, breaking down traditional barriers, and unlocking value in ways previously thought impossible.

Innovation: Redefining the Real Estate Value Chain

Traditional real estate models rely heavily on upfront capital to purchase and service land, tying up resources and often excluding stakeholders who could otherwise participate meaningfully. Our leasehold development model flips this paradigm. It empowers landowners to retain long-term land value while enabling developers and investors to access and develop land without the prohibitive cost of outright purchase.

This innovation opens the door for scalable, efficient, and inclusive development. By redefining how land rights are structured and monetised, we’ve created a replicable framework that can be applied across mixed-use, residential, retirement, commercial, retail, offices, and even affordable housing projects.

Sustainability: Built-In for Long-Term Impact

Sustainability is more than green buildings. For us, it’s about long-term economic, environmental, and operational resilience. Our leasehold model ensures the land remains an appreciating asset, creating a sustainable income stream for landowners over time. This discourages short-term speculation and instead fosters intergenerational value creation.

Moreover, our developments are designed with environmental sustainability at their core - through integrated green spaces, energy-efficient infrastructure, and urban planning that reduces congestion and promotes walkability. Because we are in long-term partnerships with our landowners and communities, sustainability isn’t an afterthought - it’s a necessity.

Community-Centered: Shared Prosperity as a Guiding Principle

From day one, Zebinvest has believed that communities are not just beneficiaries of development - they are partners. Our developments are intentionally structured to create opportunities for local employment, skills transfer, enterprise support, and improved access to education, healthcare, and mobility.

By holding ourselves accountable to community upliftment, our projects aim to deliver meaningful outcomes beyond buildings: vibrant, integrated spaces where people can live, work, and thrive. Our leasehold model enhances this by ensuring that landowners - often local stakeholders themselves - remain embedded in the long-term success of the project.

Join the Revolution

Zebinvest is more than a property development firm - we are a movement for systemic change in the built environment. Our leasehold development framework is disrupting the status quo, just as Uber did for mobility, and we are inviting landowners and investors who share our vision to join us.

If you believe in building a future that is inclusive, forward-thinking, and rooted in real value creation - then we want to partner with you. Together, we can unlock land, capital, and community potential to shape a new era in South African real estate.

Let’s build the future differently. Let’s build it better. Let's build it together.

Warren Brusse, Chief Executive Officer of Zebinvest Real Estate Development