“I’m Not Doing This”: Woman Shares Her Harsh Experience in the Real Estate Industry in Gauteng
- A fully qualified real estate agent revealed how she couldn't secure a single property viewing in Bryanston despite having a cash buyer ready with R8 million
- The woman discovered that estate agents refused to cooperate with her, even when she offered to split commissions
- Her experience with one particular agent who had no signed contract but claimed exclusivity led to her decision to quit practising real estate in South Africa
- Briefly News asked occupational therapist Sinqobile Mdlalose what strategies can be used to support women facing stress and burnout in high-pressure, male-dominated industries like real estate
Source: Facebook
A woman named Bronwyn Rodrigues has exposed the dark side of South Africa's real estate industry. She shared her shocking experience trying to help a cash buyer find a property in Bryanston.
Facebook user @windsor.harper revealed how a simple house-hunting mission turned into a nightmare that made a fully qualified estate agent quit the industry altogether on 17 August 2025.
The woman, who holds her NQF 4 qualification and is working towards her NQF 5, had what should have been every estate agent's dream: a Bulgarian friend with R8 million cash ready to buy a house within two weeks. Her friend and his wife needed to settle down quickly, so she offered to help them find the perfect property.
After narrowing down their search to 15 properties in Bryanston, she contacted every single agent listed. What happened next, not one agent would allow her to view any property with her buyer, despite her offers to split commissions and even accept just 1% for herself.
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The situation became even more frustrating when her buyer fell in love with one particular property. When she called the agent to book a viewing, he flat-out refused and claimed to have an exclusive mandate. However, when she contacted the seller directly after getting advice from experienced agents, she discovered the agent had no signed contract, just a handshake agreement.
The seller was furious to learn that the agent had been blocking potential buyers. Within 15 minutes of her conversation with the seller, the agent called back, threatening to report her to the real estate board for being "unethical". During the eventual property viewing, the agent was so hostile that her cash buyer decided not to purchase the property, despite liking it.
Source: Facebook
Briefly News asked occupational therapist Sinqobile Mdlalose which approaches can help women manage stress and burnout in high-pressure, male-dominated fields such as real estate. She explained:
"It has been noted recently that women in Gauteng shared significant challenges and emotional strain encountered while working in a male-dominated real estate industry.
Such environments often lead to heightened stress, burnout, reduced morale, and feelings of isolation."
Real estate industry reactions
The woman's story sparked debate among industry professionals and viewers.
@colleen_gray pointed out:
"First of all, you have to be registered here in SA to sell as an Estate Agent."
@maryke_vd_westhuizen shared:
"A relative experienced the same problems with more than one competing agency, even between agents in the same company."
@vanessa_harvey praised her:
"So impressed with your etiquette and tenacity. I sold property in RSA for 18 years."
@stacey_salzman_tarantello supported cooperation:
"I always do - why not - a sale is better than none. I just split a small comm 50/50, why not, a sale is a sale?"
@nico_riaan_weitsz challenged her story:
"I work with about 30 agents in SA, and every single one of them would have made a deal with you, and not just 1%. I find your statement very hard to believe..."
Understanding property mandates
According to experts at Ooba Home Loans, there are two main types of property mandates. A sole mandate gives one estate agency exclusive rights to market a home for a fixed period, allowing them to invest more in marketing since they know they'll get the commission if they find a buyer. An open mandate allows multiple agencies to market the property simultaneously, which can lead to quicker sales if agents already have suitable buyers.
The key difference is that with sole mandates, agents can afford to spend more on marketing since they have exclusivity. With open mandates, agents might invest less since another agency could find the buyer and earn the commission.
Watch the Facebook video below:
The woman from Canada also shared her experience of losing millions in a Johannesburg property deal. Briefly News reported that after selling her Canadian home in September 2023, she sought a new property in South Africa.
She engaged with 23 agents before finding one willing to conduct a virtual walkthrough. The agent assured her the property was in excellent condition. A home inspector, recommended by the agent, also reported no latent defects. However, after purchase, Bronwyn discovered significant issues, including exposed electrical cords and moisture damage, which were not disclosed. She blamed the negligence of the lawyer, home inspector, agent, and seller involved in the transaction.
3 Other stories about South African struggles
- Briefly News recently reported on a Cape Town woman who spoke out against estate agents, but what she said about the money they demanded had everyone questioning the industry.
- A South African mom held a family meeting about food consumption during the holidays, but her creative solution to managing her children had parents everywhere taking notes.
- Meanwhile, an Afrikaner farmer in America shared why he couldn't stop working, but his real reason for staying had people completely divided.
Updated by Hilary Sekgota, Human Interest HOD at Briefly News.
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Proofreading by Roxanne Dos Ramos, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
Nerissa Naidoo (Human Interest Editor) Nerissa Naidoo is a writer and editor with seven years of experience. Currently, she is a human interest writer at Briefly News and joined the publication in 2024. She began her career contributing to Morning Lazziness and later joined Featherpen.org. As a TUW ghostwriter, she focused on non-fiction, while her editorial roles at National Today and Entail.ai honed her skills in content accuracy and expert-driven editing. You can reach her at nerissa.naidoo@briefly.co.za
Sinqobile Mdlalose (Occupational Therapist) Sinqobile is a qualified Occupational Therapist with expertise in disability management, claims assessment, and vocational rehabilitation. She has worked in both clinical and corporate settings, supporting individuals with injury or disability in returning to meaningful work. Currently a Disability Claims Assessor, she evaluates functional capacity, reviews medical reports, and guides return-to-work decisions. In 2024, she presented at the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa to inspire students.
