Governance in community schemes

Dear Newsletter Reader,

As we move through April, we continue with our A - Z Community Scheme series, in this month’s edition we focus on the letters G and H.

In order to understand the building blocks of a well-managed community scheme better, in this edition:

Nicole (N) discusses different types of community scheme gardens and the associated maintenance and costs.
Zerlinda explains what the STSMA really demands when it comes to good governance.
Our webinar on how to prepare for and run a great General Meeting.
A panel discussion focused on the pressure that schemes are faced with.
Other upcoming events.

CONTENT CORNER

Community scheme gardens: Types, cost and maintenance responsibilities explained

Gardens are one of the most common problem areas in community schemes. In this episode, Nicole explains the 3 different types of gardens, who is responsible for maintenance and repairs, and how the costs are allocated.

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Good governance in sectional title schemes: What the STSMA really demands

In this article, Zerlinda explains why good governance is the legal and ethical foundation of every scheme, how it empowers trustees while placing clear responsibilities on them, and why it’s essential for trustees, owners, and managing agents to understand where authority begins and ends.

Community schemes under pressure: A governance reset

Community schemes are under pressure. Weak governance, rising compliance demands, trustee capability gaps, and growing operational complexity are exposing real risk across sectional title schemes and HOAs. This session cuts through the noise to unpack what’s really happening and what needs to change.

WATCH NOW

UPCOMING EVENTS

NAMA Breakfast:

NAMA will be hosting a breakfast seminar on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, at 8:00 am at the Durbanville Golf Club.

We are excited to announce that Nicole (N) will be speaking at this event. Her topic: Dealing with difficult people, and conflict in community schemes.

For more information, please email vanida@nama.org.za

We hope to see you there!

Our Neighbourhood April Discussion

Do you have legal questions for our consultants? Let’s talk about them.

This month our live discussion will be taking place Thursday, 24 April at 9:00 am.

Qualifying Our Neighbourhood Memberships include:

Common Property Plus membership
Managing Agent Plus membership
Scheme Executive membership

How do you join - You will be emailed a zoom link prior to the meeting.

Not yet a Neighbour, it’s not too late - join or upgrade your membership now.

UPCOMING WEBINAR

A successful general meeting doesn’t happen by chance, it takes the right preparation, structure, and expert insight.

Join our upcoming webinar for a Let’s Get Physical panel discussion featuring community scheme industry experts across:

Legal
Insurance
Finance
Geysers & maintenance
Building plans & structures
Meeting management

Gain practical, real-world guidance on how to confidently prepare for and run an effective general meeting in your scheme.

⚠️ IMPORTANT REMINDER: You need an active Our Neighbourhood membership to be able to access the below link.

If you do not have a membership, please sign up now, before clicking on the link below.

VIEW LINK

NEED ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR RULES?

person helping another person with their community scheme rules

“It is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.” - Queen Elizabeth II

Zerlinda van der Merwe and Nicole Tavares

We trust that these insights continue to add practical value, to you and your scheme, as we work our way through the alphabet.