From online learning to national leadership
A student case study with Motlatso Maloka
Average read time: 9 mins
24 July 2026
How BSc (Hons) Real Estate Management graduate Motlatso Maloka is helping to shape South Africa’s land reform journey thanks to her online-learning degree.
Few built-environment professionals work at the intersection of history, public policy and social justice quite like Motlatso Maloka.
As South Africa's Acting Valuer-General, she oversees independent property valuations that support the country's land reform programme - a process born out of the legacy of colonial-era and apartheid-era land dispossession.
Her online BSc (Hons) Real Estate Management studies with the University of the Built Environment had a “direct impact” on her work and leadership development, she said, highlighting how a degree with us can enable you to reach the pinnacle of your career.
“I realised I had a deep interest in land and how that relates to people and opportunities.”
Finding a profession with purpose
It may surprise some to know that Motlatso did not set out to become a valuer, despite working hard to achieve this nationally crucial role. The story of her career journey starts in 1995 when she was 20.
"I was inspired by my late father,” she said. “I was working as an intern at the library, trying to find myself and decide what I wanted to study. He brought me an advert and said, 'Look at this. I think you can do this.' I said, 'But I don't have the qualifications.' He said, 'No, no, no. They say they will take you to school. Just read the advert.'"
The opportunity was for a trainee valuer role with the City of Johannesburg. And the more she researched the profession, the more she realised it touched on many of her existing passions.
"When I thought about it,” she said, “I realised I had a deep interest in land and how that relates to people and opportunities.
“Growing up in South Africa, I saw first-hand how property can transform communities, so valuation appealed to me because it merged economics, law and social impact. One of the careers I was looking into was becoming a social worker, but I realised this profession also had a social impact."
She got the job and didn’t look back, steadily building a career that led to roles in the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, which in turn led to her role at the Office of the Valuer-General (OVG).
“The universities in South Africa no longer offered the kind of distance-learning option I needed.”
Understanding South Africa's land reform mission
The OVG was established under the Property Valuation Act 17 of 2014, which came into force in 2015. Its purpose is to provide independent, credible and impartial property valuations that supports equitable land acquisition and compensation processes.
The OVG is “fundamental in ensuring fairness, transparency and public confidence in South Africa's land reform programme,” Motlatso said.
South Africa's history of land dispossession under colonialism and apartheid created profound inequalities in land ownership. Since democracy in 1994, land reform has been a central component of national policy.
Unlike traditional market valuations, land reform valuations require consideration of multiple constitutional and legislative factors.
"The history of acquisition, current use value and the extent of direct state investment or subsidy in acquisitions, are considered,” Motlatso said. “Looking at the history of dispossession in South Africa, the government wanted to ensure that valuations don't only look at market forces. With the use of a legislated formula in the Property Valuation Act and regulations, a single value is determined that the government can offer for the acquisition of property for land reform purposes."
The work requires a careful balance between technical valuation practice, legislative compliance and public trust – a complex professional environment that also requires strong leadership skills.
“Do not underestimate the power of quality education, regardless of where you are located.”
Motlatso said her BSc (Hons) Real Estate Management studies at the University of the Built Environment was invaluable. She outlined how the modules directly impacted her work:
“Valuation theory helped me develop more precise valuation methods and understand more of the technical side. Property law, from an international perspective, informed my handling of compliance in complex cases. Governance and ethics modules guided fair decision-making, while strategic management equipped me to lead multidisciplinary teams."
She added: "The compulsory purchase modules were especially valuable for my current sector and for land acquisition work, particularly in the Office of the Valuer-General."
Why distance learning mattered
An extra important element to Motlatso’s career journey is that she is a dedicated mother of two children. When she began studying with the University, she was already managing a demanding professional career while raising a young family. This meant conventional campus study was simply out of the question. When her deputy director recommended online learning via the University of the Built Environment, she jumped at the opportunity.
“The universities in South Africa no longer offered the kind of distance-learning option I needed,” she said. “Many programmes required attendance, and looking at the schedule, my family responsibilities and my work commitments, I had to find something that suited my circumstances."
The flexibility of the University’s e-learning platform, which includes a bespoke virtual learning environment (VLE) was a defining feature for Motlatso.
"It gave me an opportunity to expand my expertise without interrupting my career,” she said. “This approach allowed me to grow professionally while maintaining my commitment to lifelong learning."
More than a qualification
Studying internationally also brought benefits beyond academic learning for Motlatso. "One of the greatest benefits was getting exposure to other perspectives that deal with property,” she said.
She also found herself adapting to an international learning environment: "English is not my first language. You meet English-speaking people, different accents and different ways of delivering education. For me, that was an opportunity to move from my comfort zone into an international way of doing things and adjusting."
Building an institution
This year marks a decade since the creation of the Office of the Valuer-General, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in March 2026.
The OVG has received accolades at African valuation awards and has become increasingly visible internationally through organisations such as the African Real Estate Society and the International Valuation Standards Council.
For Motlatso, however, the awards are less about personal achievement than collective effort.
"I was just doing this out of passion,” she said. “I didn't realise the impact that I was making. The recognition reflected the efforts of many mentors, colleagues and professionals who shaped my journey. As for the OVG team, the awards validated years of dedication, innovation and perseverance."
A message for future students
Reflecting on her own journey, Motlatso has a clear message for professionals considering online study.
"Do not underestimate the power of quality education, regardless of where you are located,” she said. “An online degree can open doors if you are prepared to apply yourself - do the hard work, remain disciplined and work through the sleepless nights."
South Africa needs more valuers
As South Africa continues to develop the next generation of valuation professionals, Matlotso is also passionate about improving awareness of the profession itself.
"Most young people know about engineering, law or accounting, but not valuation,” she said. “We want valuation to become a profession that people know about from high school. We need universities, the private sector and public institutions working together to encourage young people into the profession."
It is an ambition entirely consistent with the values that first drew her into valuation more than 30 years ago. After all, for Motlatso, property has never been only about buildings or land. It has always been about people.
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