Respublica Student Living has appointed Bronwyn Boavida as its managing director, with her growth in the business since joining in 2014 being both a mirror and a catalyst to the business’s success.
Photo by Respiblica
When she joined the company as National Head of Residences, it was to administrate three properties with only 1 742 student beds. Now, with the business owning 10 properties and providing all-inclusive private student accommodation to 9 000 students across South Africa, Boavida is well-positioned to lead the business into its next growth phase.
“I’ve always loved operations, and have always been very systems-oriented,” she says. “Always knowing the numbers, understanding what’s happening on the ground, and having close visibility into all the business’s various operations on the ground has been key to my success in the business – and will continue to be vital knowledge as we continue to expand our offering to students faced with a shortage of on-campus accommodation.”
Prior to joining Respublica, Boavida was Head of Department for a facilities management company in Egypt. What was originally supposed to be a two-year contract, resulted in a 5-year contract living in Cairo. With her first degree being a BSc in Industrial Psychology and Human Kinetics, Boavida has since completed her MBA from the prestigious University of Liverpool.
“Bronwyn is one of the most multifaceted managers and leaders I’ve worked with, and she is enormously respected at Respublica for her skill in categorising information quickly and effectively to formulate a plan that will work. She has created a culture of dedication to work and an uncompromising focus on quality, while reminding us all that family always comes first,” says Cheslin Sass, sales manager at Respublica Student Living. “While she is as tough as nails, I would trust her with everything from nuclear codes to my deepest challenges!”.
