Residential and commercial letting company MidCity has come a long way since it opened its doors 25 years ago. The company – which has a staff complement of 100 employees and seven board directors – celebrated its milestone anniversary on September 18th 2008.

MidCity started out as Huurbestuur (Pty) Ltd in 1983 and has been involved in a number of major developments in Pretoria. Headed by the CEO, Mr. Dawie de Villiers, the company’s multi million-rand projects include the Northern Region ABSA Home Loans Centre (corner Beatrix Street and Soutpansberg Road), the Maupa Naga Building which houses the VIP Protection Unit (corner Hamilton and Park Streets) and the Lofts@Loftus residential units in Park street. De Villiers expressed gratitude to the company’s staff “who have loyally supported me and my fellow directors and have always kept the goals and vision of MidCity in mind”

“It is due to this support and dedication that we have been able to achieve our goals,” he said.

MidCity joined forces with a black economic empowerment company called Khwela Property Services (Pty) Ltd, over five years ago.  Khwela is chaired by Mr. De Villiers and the vice-chairman Dominic Sewela, who was a founder member of Excel Petroleum.

The director in charge of operations is Davey Mabotja, who is a key player in the property broking business of MidCity. The 53% black empowerment shareholding within the company is held by Khwela Investments, which is led by Mr. Sewela.
“Khwela has been involved in some exciting development; the most recent being the ABSA Home Loans Centre in Pretoria,” said De Villiers. He said another exciting development in progress is the relocation of the company’s Barclay Square offices to the MidCity Square building at the corner of Jorrisen and Johnston streets in Sunnyside. “The relocation, which is due to take place in October, is necessary due to the growth of our Barclay Square branch, which also houses Khwela Power, our electricity division,” Mr. De Villiers said.

Khwela Power provides a service as a reseller of electricity and water on behalf of the Tshwane Metro Council. It also provides meter-reading services on behalf of landlords. The company’s services include monthly recording of meter readings (electrical/water), invoicing tenants for electrical/water consumption, receipt of electrical/water accounts to the municipality and the handling of tenants’ queries regarding consumption and supply service.