WINNER'S CIRCLE: WAKEFIELDS 2024/25 ANNUAL AWARDS

Celebrating the people who make property magic happen - one deal, one relationship, one milestone at a time.

Under the bright skies and vibrant buzz of Shongweni Market, this year's Wakefields Annual Awards felt like something out of a derby daydream. With a theme of "Winner's Circle", complete with a stylish dress code twist, our agents, teams, and leadership gathered to honour the best of the best. These awards celebrate more than sales, they recognise resilience, integrity, service, and an unshakable belief in the Wakefields way.

Top Property Practitioner of the Year

• First place: Pam Naidoo (Wakefields Umhlanga)
• Second place: Vincent Pillay (Wakefields North Coast)
• Third place: Gareth Hutchinson (Wakefields Cotswold Downs)

For Pam Naidoo, winning this award for a second time was a deeply personal milestone. "This award belongs to every client who has been loyal and supported me 100%. I'm just so grateful," she says. Pam's approach is grounded in honesty, integrity, and heartfelt connections.

A true Wakefields gem, Pam describes her real estate superpower as patience and love - both of which shine in every deal she closes, from champagne key handovers to long-haul negotiations.

Rookie of the Year |  Nomvula Cele (Wakefields Pietermaritzburg)

For Nomvula, real estate isn't just a job, it's a calling. "The industry's potential is endless," she says. She's embraced every learning curve with fierce energy, setting her sights on high-value properties and long-term career growth.

Her greatest supporters? The PMB team, especially Branch Manager Warren Horner, Jubie Zwane, and Octavia Shezi,  who believed in her from day one.

"This award is a huge achievement. It validates my effort and fuels my drive." Expect to see her name again next year...she's only getting started.

Branch of the Year | Wakefields Pinetown

From day one of their "Mission POSSIBLE" year, the Pinetown Branch set out with intention, discipline, and a united team. The result? Top Branch for 2024/25.

Branch Manager Harnam Shunkumar leads with trust, empathy, and open communication. "We give each other space to succeed, but accountability is key," he says.

The Pinetown team faced challenges head-on, from unrealistic seller expectations to low stock and market competition. But their synergy, shared goals, and unwavering client focus helped them rise above.

One word to describe the branch culture? "Synergistic." One thing they always get right? "Putting clients first."

Most Units Sold | Our Busiest Agents

• First place: Vincent Pillay (Wakefields North Coast)
• Second place: Nicki White (Wakefields Pinetown)

For Vincent, success comes down to discipline, communication, and consistent follow-up,  even on his days off. "I plan the night before, follow up daily, and stay connected to everyone - past clients, current buyers, potential sellers." He says the real key is listening: "When clients feel heard and informed, they trust the process, and that leads to smoother deals."

Runner-up Nicki White echoes that sentiment: "Communication is key, and so is time management. Our clients need to know we care and that we've got their best interests at heart."

Special Awards

These awards go beyond numbers , they honour the spirit, leadership, and values that define Wakefields.

• Peter Lomax Wakefields Way Award: Nicole Brown
  "It was an affirmation that what I feel internally: pride in the brand, pride in our work, was being felt externally too." Nicole lives by the belief that doing things the right way always wins.
• Administrative Person of the Year: Loshnee Gopichand
  The heart of the Malvern office, Loshnee's behind-the-scenes brilliance keeps everything ticking. "It's about teamwork, being reliable, and staying organised. I want to be remembered as someone who helped make the branch run smoothly."
• Mike Riceman Manager of the Year: Harnam Shunkumar
  "This award is deeply meaningful. I lead with empathy, integrity and high standards, that's the Wakefields Way. My legacy? To uplift, mentor, and inspire growth."
• CEO Award: Charlotte Abro
  An absolute legend in the industry, Charlotte has been part of Wakefields since 1988. With her family deeply woven into the company's history, she leaves a legacy of excellence, mentorship, and friendship. "It's time to enjoy life - to paint, to potter, to make time for family," she says, after an extraordinary career that spanned decades. At nearly 86, she continues to inspire generations of Wakefields agents.

With Gratitude

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible partners: Ooba Home Loans, Standard Bank, and Meumann White Attorneys, your support makes our success possible.

Until Next Year...

To every agent, admin, manager, and support team member: thank you for making Wakefields the leading name in property across KZN. This awards season reminded us that excellence isn't just measured in sales - it's defined by spirit, integrity, and shared purpose.

Here's to another year of doing it the Wakefields Way.

Download our full list of winners here