Berman Brothers Win Investec Business Leadership Award

Paul and Saul Berman, brothers and co-founders of Berman Brothers Group (BBG), have been awarded the 2026 Investec Business Leadership Award. This recognition comes after 32 years of building their property development business in Cape Town, South Africa. The brothers' journey began with humble circumstances, having lost their father at a young age and starting with limited resources. Despite these challenges, they have grown BBG into one of Cape Town's established property development businesses.

The Berman brothers' partnership is built on trust, with Paul leading conceptual, commercial, and strategic work, while Saul brings technical expertise and hands-on construction knowledge. Their contrasting backgrounds, with Paul completing a BA LLB at the University of Cape Town and Saul qualifying as an electrician, have become a defining strength of BBG. The brothers have developed a culture of trust, integrity, attention to detail, and a refusal to compromise on quality, which has guided their business decisions.

BBG has created numerous residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments in Cape Town's Atlantic Seaboard, including The Herschel, The Legacy, and The Point Mall. The brothers have prioritized retaining interests in many developments, remaining involved in their management, maintenance, and long-term quality. They have also invested in developing staff and building relationships with contractors, professional teams, and partners that have endured across numerous projects.

The Berman brothers attribute their success to their ability to navigate difficult periods, including economic uncertainty and COVID-19. They emphasize the importance of remaining close to detail, communicating directly, and refusing to delegate accountability. Their approach to leadership involves sharing responsibility, giving credit, and facing problems alongside their team members. Saul remains closely involved on site, while Paul works across BBG's commercial and strategic operations.

In addition to their business achievements, the Berman brothers are committed to giving back to their community. In 2024, they founded the Hands On Foundation Charitable Trust to introduce technical and engineering education into mainstream South African schools. The initiative aims to provide pupils with opportunities to discover practical abilities and build pathways into construction, trades, and engineering.

The brothers' understanding of leadership extends to their involvement in the Jewish community. Paul has been involved in Jewish welfare in Cape Town for decades, and the brothers believe that being a good Jewish citizen means translating values into action, including community responsibility, care for the vulnerable, and education. They hope to be remembered not only for their business achievements but also for the people they developed and the opportunities they created.

The Investec Business Leadership Award is a milestone for the Berman brothers, who have built their business on a foundation of trust, integrity, and a shared vision. They plan to continue building, mentoring younger people, and transferring knowledge and responsibility to the next generation. The award celebrates their achievements over 32 years and recognizes their commitment to leadership, community, and education.

Key points

• The Berman brothers' business success is rooted in their trust, integrity, and shared vision.
• They have made significant contributions to Cape Town's property development sector.
• The brothers are committed to giving back to their community through education and charitable initiatives.