One of the benefits of working in Atterbury’s satellite office down in the Cape is that you have the opportunity to get involved in a wider array of functions than what your primary role requires. So says PA and leasing assistant Danelle van der Merwe … she may be Jozi-born and -bred, but she is fast putting down roots in Stellenbosch!
Tell us how you came to work for Atterbury, and what your job entails.
When I was still studying at Stellenbosch, I shadowed at Atterbury in Pretoria during the university holidays. After I finished my studies I heard that Atterbury would be opening an office in Stellenbosch, so I met with Gerrit van den Berg to discuss the possibility of joining the team. I am assisting Gerrit on the development management and tenant coordination side of his projects, as well as any administrative tasks. And then I have also started looking after the marketing side of things in the Cape. With Richmond Park, Mediclinic offices as well as a few other exciting projects in the pipeline, there are a lot of opportunities to get involved with broker liaison, interacting with prospective tenants and preparation of leasing brochures.
What are the most important requirements of your job?
To be organised and punctual, as well as a bit creative.
What is the first thing you do when you get to work in the morning?
I have to start off with a good cup of coffee. And then, like most people in the office, I start going through my emails, attending to the most urgent first.
Who is Danelle at home? What about your life after hours would surprise your colleagues?
I like to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the occasional braai and glass of red wine. On Saturday mornings I often spend time coaching gymnastics in Paarl. I think everyone got to know me when I started working at our Stellenbosch office, but I’m actually from Johannesburg and lived there until I finished school.
What is it like working in a satellite office – do you ever go up to Pretoria? How do you all maintain the company culture, being so far from head office?\
We are a small and intimate office, which gives us a lot of exposure to more aspects of the business than what we deal with separately. We all help out where we can. As for the company culture, since Gerrit, Wouter [de Vos] and Mia [Kitshoff] all started out at the Pretoria and Johannesburg offices, the Atterbury culture has proudly been introduced to us from the beginning. We also attend all the special events at the head office in Pretoria.
What technological or other invention do you wish existed which would make your work easier?
A button to mute my colleagues sometimes… J
What has been your biggest learning curve working at Atterbury?
My job at Atterbury is my first in the corporate world, so everything is exciting and new and I still learn a lot every day. I have recently been getting more involved in marketing, and it’s a field I am also enjoying a lot.
And where do you see yourself in five years?
Of course I hope to still be part of the Atterbury family… I would like to eventually take on more responsibilities in a specific direction of the business, such as marketing and leasing.
Some of your colleagues work in exotic overseas locations. Where do you wish Atterbury might open an office with a job tailormade for you?
I honestly cannot think of a better place than Stellenbosch. But if there is one place I miss since living down in the Cape, it is the bush. I think having an office in the Bushveld would not be a bad idea.
