While AI and data centres dominate property headlines, prime retail real estate is quietly re-emerging as one of the strongest sectors in global property, with leading shopping centres benefiting from near-full occupancy, rising rents, and limited new supply as high development costs make it difficult to build competing space.
Author: Theodore Freysen, Portfolio Manager, Catalyst Fund Managers
Mia joined Catalyst Fund Managers in September 2026 as an Investment Analyst. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and holds a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Financial Analysis from Stellenbosch University.
Mia started her career in asset management as a graduate at Ninety One, where she spent nine years, predominantly as a performance attribution and risk analyst.
Ruby joined Catalyst Fund Managers in February 2026 as a Junior Analyst after completing a six-month internship with the company.
She holds a BCom in Investment Management from Stellenbosch University, an Honours degree in Finance from the University of Cape Town, and a Master’s degree in Finance from Esade.
Kerri joined Catalyst Fund Managers as Head of Distribution in January 2026. She brings over a decade of experience in asset management across investment strategy, product development, and client servicing.
Prior to joining Catalyst, Kerri was an Executive and Portfolio Specialist at discretionary fund manager, Cogence, where she worked closely with BlackRock in the UK. Earlier in her career, she spent several years at Ninety One Asset Management, including time in London as an Investment Specialist on Global and UK Equity strategies, and previously in South Africa as a performance attribution and risk analyst.
Kerri holds a Bachelor of Business Science (Honours), Cum Laude, from the University of the Witwatersrand, and is a CFA level II candidate.
Liebe is the Office Manager at Catalyst Fund Managers, where she oversees daily operations, supports team well-being, and contributes to ESG initiatives. With over a decade in education and six years in instructional design, she brings a strong background in training & development, EdTech, curriculum development, and sustainability. She holds a BComm and PGCE, and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Development cum laude at Stellenbosch University.
Liebe is the Office Manager at Catalyst Fund Managers, where she oversees daily operations, supports team well-being, and contributes to ESG initiatives. With over a decade in education and six years in instructional design, she brings a strong background in training & development, EdTech, curriculum development, and sustainability. She holds a BComm and PGCE, and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Development cum laude at Stellenbosch University.
Wandile joined the Catalyst team in March 2025. She is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). She completed a Postgraduate Diploma at Stellenbosch University and a BCom (Hons) in Finance and Investments at the University of the Western Cape.
She began her career at ABSA Wealth and Investments as an Intern Business Development Consultant. She later joined Sanlam Collective Investments, where she worked as a Client Service Consultant, was promoted to Team Leader, and, within a short period, was appointed as a Key Account Manager
Bontle joined Catalyst Fund Managers in February 2025 as an Investment Analyst. Prior to joining Catalyst, Bontle was a Manager in the Valuations and Modelling team at Deloitte. She spent a total of 5 years at Deloitte, where she joined as a Graduate in the Financial Advisory department. Prior to her experience at Deloitte, she completed her Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Finance degree at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Krinika studied her BCom (Management Sciences) and postgraduate (BCom Honours Business Management: Specialising in Strategy and Innovation) at the University of Stellenbosch. Having been a top achiever, she was inducted as a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. In March 2019, Krinika started off her career in the Client Service Centre at Allan Gray as a Consultant and was later involved in the academy training programme for new consultants, as well as the piloting Web chat group. She was also awarded several Top Performer Awards during her time at Allan Gray. In October 2021, Krinika made the move to M&G Investment Managers. She was able to hone her client servicing skills and be involved in projects focusing on optimising M&G’s client servicing model within the Retail Client Services department. Krinika also served on three committees (Occupational Health and Safety, Social Committee and the Diversity & Inclusion Committee) and more importantly, was appointed as the Secretary of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, where her true passion lies.
Frans joined the Catalyst team in August 2025. He holds a BCom in Economics and a Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Management from Henley Business School. He began his career at Discovery Invest, where he worked as a New Business Team Leader and later in the Investment Research Lab as Investment research analyst. He then joined Cogence, where he served as Operations Manager, before moving to Catalyst Fund Managers as Head of Alternative Operations.
Tintswalo joined the Catalyst team in August 2025. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Risk Management, a BCom Honours in Economics, and a BSc in Mathematics Techniques & Economics. Tintswalo began her career at Investec Asset Management in January 2007 as a Client Services Consultant and has since gained extensive experience across several roles, including Client Liaison Consultant at RMB Unit Trust Ltd, Specialist Administrator at Silica Holdings, and Portfolio Administrator, followed by Head of Operations at Sesfikile Capital. Before joining Catalyst, she served as Head of Investment Operations at Corion Capital.
Zinathi joined Catalyst Fund Managers in February 2020 as an investment graduate. She completed her Bachelor of Commerce in Finance as well as her postgraduate degree in Business Finance (BCom Hons) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Palesa joined the Catalyst team in October 2017. Before joining Catalyst, she was employed by the Maitland Group as a Fund Accountant. She has a BTech in Cost and Management Accounting and completed an Advanced Diploma in Management – Finance. Palesa started her career at Old Mutual as a Specialist Fund Administrator.
Bénette joined the Catalyst team in September 2017. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant CA (SA). Bénette studied her Bachelor of Accounting Undergraduate (BAcc) and postgraduate (BAcc Hons) at the University of Stellenbosch. She started her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Cape Town and completed a short term secondment in New York with PwC LLP in the Banking and Capital Markets division. She then returned as an audit manager for PwC Cape Town in the Financial Services Assurance division.
Fouwaaz joined the Catalyst team in March 2016. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant CA (SA) and he is currently enrolled in the CFA Programme. Fouwaaz is also in the process of completing his Masters in Finance and Risk management at the University of Cape Town. Previously, he worked as an audit manager at KPMG in Cape Town in the Investment Management and Funds industry for four years.
Bev has been part of the Catalyst Fund Managers team since inception in April 2001. She is responsible for client liaison as well as operations support. Bev started her career in the investment industry at Capital Alliance Investment Counsel (now Brait) as a Personal Assistant and Office Manager to the Chief Executive Officer. She moved to Mercury Asset Management and finally to the Catalyst Group in 2000, to help set up Catalyst Fund Managers.
Zama joined Catalyst Fund Managers in September 2022 as an Investment Analyst. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant (SA). Zama started her career at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) as an associate lecturer and completed her articles at PwC in the Financial Services and Investment Management department (non-banking financial services). Thereafter, she gained over 2 years’ experience in business valuations as a manager at PwC (Deals, Advisory) in Johannesburg and an associate at RisCura Fundamentals in Cape Town. Zama holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science degree and a Postgraduate diploma in Accounting (CTA) from Wits.
Gugu joined Catalyst Fund Managers in June 2022 as an Investment Analyst. He started his career at Standard Bank as a Model Risk Auditor. Before joining Catalyst Fund Managers, he worked for Fairtree Asset Management as an Equity Analyst as part of the Global Real Estate team. Gugu holds an MCom (Finance) from the University of Johannesburg as well as a Bachelor of Economic Science and a BSc (Hons) in Applied Mathematics from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Ofentse officially joined Catalyst Fund Managers in March 2022. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder. After completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Property Studies (Honours), awarded in the First Class (distinction) from the University of Cape Town, Ofentse started her career at Old Mutual Property as an Investment Analyst in the direct property space. Thereafter she worked as an Asset Manager and in various roles across Investec Property Fund over a 5-year period. Ofentse is currently a member of the Association of Black Securities and Investments professional (ABSIP)
Liebe is the Office Manager at Catalyst Fund Managers, where she oversees daily operations, supports team well-being, and contributes to ESG initiatives. With over a decade in education and six years in instructional design, she brings a strong background in training & development, EdTech, curriculum development, and sustainability. She holds a BComm and PGCE, and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Development cum laude at Stellenbosch University.
Marcus joined Catalyst Fund Managers in June 2017 as an Investment Analyst. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant CA (SA) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder. Marcus studied his Bachelor of Accounting Undergraduate (BAcc) and postgraduate (BAcc Hons) at the University of Stellenbosch. He started his career at Ernst & Young in Cape Town. During early 2017, Marcus did a short term secondment in the United States at Ernst & Young LLP.
Theodore joined Catalyst Fund Managers in January 2015 as an Investment Analyst. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant CA (SA). He has completed all exam levels of the CFA Programme. After Theodore completed his undergraduate studies in BCom Accounting at the North-West University, he completed his BCompt Honours in Accounting at the University of South Africa. He started his career at Ernst & Young.
Imdaad joins us from Avior Capital Markets where he was a top-rated listed property analyst. He has 6 years’ experience as an investment analyst of which the last 2 years were with Avior as a Listed Property Analyst. Imdaad started his career at JP Morgan as a Valuations Administrator and then moved onto Oasis Group Holdings as an Investment Analyst before joining Avior Capital Markets.
Lance joined Catalyst Fund Managers in November 2015 as an Investment Analyst. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder. Before joining Catalyst Fund Managers, he worked for Standard Bank in their Corporate and Investment Banking Real Estate Division. Lance graduated from the University of Cape Town (UCT) with a BSc in Property Studies and a BCom (Honours) in Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management awarded in the First Class (distinction).
Ryan joined Catalyst Fund Managers in August 2019 as an Investment Analyst. Ryan is a qualified Chartered Accountant CA (SA). After completing his articles in the Banking & Capital Markets division of PwC Johannesburg and a secondment to the Asset Management Division of PwC Los Angeles, he joined Fairtree Capital in 2014 where he was the co-portfolio manager of their global listed real estate fund.
Mvula joined Catalyst Fund Managers in February 2014 as an Investment Analyst. He started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) working in the Insurance and Investment Management division. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant CA (SA) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder. Mvula further completed the Property Development Programme at the UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB) in 2016. Mvula is currently a member of the South African Black Property Practitioners (SAIBPP), Association of Black Securities and Investments professional (ABSIP) and trustee of the Catalyst Fund Managers BEE Staff Trust.
Mike joined Catalyst Fund Managers in July 2015. He is s a qualified Chartered Accountant CA (SA) and MBA graduate. Mike started his career in Operations in 2008 at Orbis Investment Advisory Limited in Bermuda and subsequently transferred to the London office where he was employed as Head of Global Transfer Agency. Prior to that, Mike spent a year at Deloitte and three years at KPMG in Cape Town. Mike subsequently joined RECM in December 2010 as Head of Operations and Finance.
Jamie joined the Catalyst Fund Managers team in October 2008. Jamie qualified as a Chartered Accountant CA (SA) with Deloitte in 2001 and spent the following three years working in the USA, London and Sydney with Deloitte, Bank of New York and Vodafone. Upon his return to Cape Town, Jamie worked for Investec Private Bank and later for Dubai World Africa, where he was responsible for real estate acquisitions and development in Africa.
Zayd spent five years with Catalyst Property Asset Managers, where he was portfolio manager for the group’s direct real estate portfolio valued at approximately R1.5 billion. In March 2007, Zayd moved within the group to Catalyst Fund Managers. Previously, he worked as an analyst in the real estate asset management team at Old Mutual Properties for three years. Zayd qualified as a Chartered Accountant CA (SA) with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in 1998.
Paul joined Catalyst Fund Managers from J.P. Morgan at the end of 2004. He began his career in 1996 as a commercial real estate broker with the Broll Group. Thereafter he worked in London for five years in investment banking and returned to South Africa to complete his MBA. As a result, he brings a valuable combination of financial markets and real estate experience to the business. Paul remains both a significant shareholder in the business and investor in the Catalyst Hedge Funds but does not have any formal day-to-day responsibilities in the business.
Andre is the founder of Catalyst Fund Managers. He began his career in 1991 at Old Mutual Properties and was responsible for managing the Old Mutual retail real estate portfolio. Throughout his career, he gained extensive experience in both South African and global real estate and global financial markets. Andre remains both a significant shareholder in the business and investor in the Catalyst Hedge Funds but does not have any formal day-to-day responsibilities in the business.
