Marnitz van den Bergh

I'm a commercial property broker and one of the founders of Brightwave Commercial Property, based in Cape Town. We focus on office, industrial and retail property across the city's key business nodes.

For me, commercial property has never just been about filling a vacancy or listing a building. It's about understanding the business behind the requirement. Every company is different, and the space they move into needs to support how they operate, how they grow, and where they are going. On paper, a property might tick all the boxes, but in reality, the only thing that matters is whether it works for the people using it every day.

My Journey in Commercial Property

I've been in the industry for over 13 years, working across different markets, property types and economic cycles. Over that time, one conviction has only grown stronger. There is too much generic information in commercial property, not enough accuracy, and often not enough real understanding of what clients actually need.

I started out on the West Rand, where I built a strong foundation in commercial property sales and leasing. Later, I made the move to Cape Town, which became a turning point in my career. It was not just about changing cities. It opened the door to new opportunities, new relationships and eventually led to the creation of Brightwave Commercial Property.

Before starting Brightwave, I spent more than a decade with ANVIL Property Smith, working across Gauteng and Cape Town in the office, retail and industrial property sectors. During that time I mentored and trained brokers and support staff and worked alongside them through deal negotiations. Team members would often call me as late as 10pm for help, which I genuinely enjoyed, because coaching a broker through a complex transaction is one of the best ways to deepen their knowledge. I worked closely with landlords, tenants and business owners, helping them navigate leasing and purchasing decisions in competitive markets.

Along the way, I've been fortunate to receive recognition in the industry, including Redefine Properties Top 25 Broker, #1 Top Broker Gauteng, Growthpoint Operation Destination Top 25 Commercial Broker National, and a number of top broker awards from Orion, Fieldspace and ANVIL. Those awards mean a lot, but for me they have always been a by-product of doing the work properly and consistently.

This industry can be done better.

Why I Started Brightwave

Starting Brightwave, together with my three partners, was about taking everything I had learned and doing things differently. The goal was not to build just another brokerage to compete, but to create a broker-led business where people are properly supported, where information is more accurate, and where relationships actually matter. Most of all, I started Brightwave to build success as a team, a business where we grow and win together rather than competing against one another.

We started from one belief: when the fundamentals are handled properly and consistently, everything else follows.

For me, doing things better comes down to the details. Better quality information, stronger marketing, proper photographs and advice that actually makes sense. It also means understanding how a space functions, not just what it looks like, and being able to guide a client based on that.

Technology and data play a big role in that, but they are only tools. Before I got into property, I worked in IT, including technical support, networking, hardware, software and client service. That background still shapes how I approach things today: solve problems properly, keep systems clean, and make information clear and easy to work with.

The human side of this industry is still what matters most.

What I Believe a Good Broker Should Understand

I believe a good broker should know more than just what is available. You need to understand market movement, vacancy trends, tenant demand, buyer demand, rental levels, parking ratios, fit-out costs, lease structures and sale structures. Those details are what help clients make the right decisions.

When clients work with me, my aim is simple: give clear, practical advice and make the process make sense. Whether they are relocating, expanding, downsizing, buying or leasing, the focus is always on helping them move forward with confidence.

At the core of everything I do are relationships. This is not a short-term business. The decisions people make in commercial property affect their cash flow, their teams, their clients and their long-term plans. That comes with responsibility, and I take that seriously.

For me, it is not just about closing deals. It is about helping businesses find the right space to grow, helping landlords position their properties correctly, and bringing a more transparent, practical approach to the Cape Town commercial property market.

Brightwave is the next step in that journey. It is built around service, accountability, strong market insight and better systems. In many ways, it reflects how I have always approached this industry: stay practical, build real relationships, work hard and do things properly.

Even after all these years, that has not changed. Clear communication, strong market knowledge and a genuine commitment to the people I work with still drive everything I do.