As we commemorate Youth month and honour the boldness and sacrifice of young people who helped shape South Africa’s path to freedom — we are reminded of our ongoing responsibility to meaningfully invest in the youth of today. In this thought leadership piece, Marc Mc Clure, General Manager at Simbithi Eco Estate, shares how Simbithi, a multigenerational and forward-thinking lifestyle estate, is intentionally building a culture where youthful innovation meets seasoned expertise and laying the foundation for a sustainable, inclusive and future-ready property eco-system in the process.
Across the country and even the world, discussions about the future often focus on innovation, sustainability, and adaptability. But rarely do we ask: Who is building that future? And who are we building it for? Preparing for the future requires more than the adoption of progressive policies or technologies, it demands intergenerational collaboration – where young voices are not merely recipients of progress but active architects of it. At Simbithi Eco-Estate, home to young families, working professionals, and retirees, we recognise that the future is not built in isolation but rather built through collaboration – across experiences, discipline and generations. In this spirit, I work closely with our Human Resource Manager, Justine Mia, to ensure that our staff complement reflects the diverse generation we serve and work alongside at Simbithi.
Harnessing Generational Diversity
Every generation offers distinct insights and capabilities. Young professionals often lead with curiosity, creativity, and a deep familiarity with emerging technologies. While older generations offer invaluable experience, stability, and a long-term view shaped by decades of lived reality. When these generational voices engage in meaningful dialogue, the result is a richer, more inclusive exhange that drives superior outcomes.
By embracing diverse perspectives, we ensure that the estate’s evolution is both efficient and deeply responsive to residents’ needs. This approach cultivates a future-focused community that thrives for all who call it home, laying a foundation for a property ecosystem that is as dynamic as it is enduring.
Building Future Leaders Through Strategic Partnerships
A cornerstone of intergenerational collaboration at Simbithi is our ongoing Work Integrated Learning (WIL) partnership with the Durban University of Technology (DUT). Through this programme, students pursuing careers in property, infrastructure, and environmental planning are immersed in the day-to-day operations of our estate, gaining direct, practical experience.
Far beyond supporting student development, this partnership enriches our organisation. Students bring a wealth of curiosity, vitality, and innovative thinking. In return, our team shares knowledge earned through experience, offering guidance that helps shape capable, reflective professionals. This reciprocal exchange, where youthful ingenuity meets seasoned wisdom, embodies the essence of intergenerational collaboration. It emphasises that preparing for the future transcends systems and strategies but hinges on investing in people and encouraging a culture of shared growth.
Shaping a Multigenerational Future
At Simbithi, intergenerational inclusion is not an abstract ideal — it is a guiding principle that informs how we shape the lived experience of our estate. Recognising the diverse tapestry of ages and life stages within our resident population, we take deliberate care to design and maintain spaces that are both accessible and meaningful to all, from infrastructure that supports mobility and safety for older residents, to recreational and communal spaces that engage families and young children. By prioritising these inclusive design elements, we create a dynamic estate that resonates with the unique needs and aspirations of every generation.
Inspired by the call for collective progress this, we cultivate a community where forward-thinking meets real-world experience, and where the future is not predicted, but actively shaped — by everyone who calls this estate home. Through partnerships like our Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programme with DUT, and in the way we design, manage, and maintain our spaces, we are actively creating a community that values both fresh perspective and lived experience. This is how we ensure Simbithi Eco Estate remains sustainable, inclusive, and relevant — not only today, but well into the future.
