GARY Mann, CEO of Mann Holdings, under which falls Gauteng's Gary Mann Estates, a valuable member of the fast-growing Dormehl Phalane Property Group (DPG), may literally have never again seen the light of day 33 years ago.
Vereeniging-born Gary, then working as an electrician at Kloof Gold Mine in Gauteng, was among eight workers trapped underground in 1993, when a shaft collapsed. Gary and colleagues spent five traumatic days underground before rescue through ventilation shafts. He was rushed to hospital and lost 11kg as a result of the ordeal, which led him to decide that being an electrician in the mining industry was not for him.
Consequently, after opening his own business, Gary's Electrical, in 1995, he decided to follow in the footsteps of his father, Billy, who in 1980 had bought into Landburo, one of the Vaal's biggest property agencies. When Billy closed Landburo he bought Dickinson Estates in 1985, and it was this franchise that Gary bought 10 years ago from his then-retired father, for R3.5million.
Gary renamed the agency Gary Mann Estates and from an initial staff of 12 it has now grown to some 60 people working at the head office at Vereeniging's Industrial Park in Steel Road. He merged his agency with Benita Stander's Dormehl Phalane Vaal franchise in February 2023. This was after mutually acknowledging that they worked the same areas - Heidelberg, Mid Vaal, Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Sasolburg and townships in and around there - and would be better off sharing skills and resources.
Benita became principal and manager, and Gary labels her as "fabulous, a true leader". He says Benita's experience in, and knowledge of, property "is so very good that she is not only an example to our staff, but even has other agencies calling her for advice".
Gary does still keep a finger on the franchise's pulse and has a large rental division of some 400 properties which continues to operate independently of the Dormehl Phalane affiliation. However, he is warming to the idea of moving that division over to DPG as well.
"I am seriously considering moving it all to Dormehl Phalane," he said, listing DPG's strengths as including a good legal system, an exemplary training programme and a very strong national footprint.
"I am very happy with DPG and want to become more involved, even if it means opening new franchises. Also, my eldest daughter, Micaela, is considering opening a franchise, and in five years I might consider handing over to her. I want to devote more time to my biggest passion: creating developments with my own building and maintenance team, which I do as a hobby now."
Micaela, who studies accountancy, works for Mann Holdings, as does Gary's younger daughter, Rachel, who is in Human Resources. Mann Holdings currently employs 258 people, Gary's main business interest still being electrical, with a focus on lighting installations at new shops. His clients include high-hitters like Mr Price and Studio 88, which is among the biggest branded clothing retailers in Africa.
He is overjoyed that Gary Mann Estates has performed so consistently well since the merger with DPG Vaal, having scooped the Dormehl Phalane National Franchise of the Year trophy for 2024 and, at this year's recent awards ceremony, finished second for 2025 in that category, behind Owen Dormehl's DPG Moot franchise.
At this year's DPG awards ceremony in Gauteng, Gary Mann Estates's trophy haul included one for Residential Franchise of the Year. Also, Benita took the accolade for Top Training Principal - well deserved as Gary Mann Estates now has 23 full-status property practitioners, all qualified under the franchise's umbrella, and is busy with the next 10 on QCTO Level 4.
Gary is also over the moon that the franchise's Yolanda Honiball was at No 4 with DPG this year, in the category of National Agent of the Year: "She is fantastic and is sure to be No 1 at next year's awards. She has averaged five sales a month since January. A great agent; a hard worker who always builds great relationships with her clients".
Looking ahead, Gary views the property scene as worrying for the next few months, considering uncertainty regarding local interest rates and war having the world on tenterhooks, but he remains highly optimistic for property's future.
Away from real estate, Gary loves helping those in need. He chooses a different school each year to assist it with uniforms, renovations and the like. He also sponsors an orphanage, and he and Micaela established Kitchen of Hope last year, equipping a venue and employing a staff of four to feed up to 400 needy people once a day, seven days a week.
He is a great lover of rugby, a former hooker who has long been involved with the Vereeniging Rugby Club, of which he was made President a month ago. He also loves all animals and is in his happy place, with wife Shimone, at his home in the Karma game and lifestyle estate about 20km from Meyerton.
