On 11 to 14 October 09, the Southern African Housing Foundation (SAHF) organized an International Housing Conference and Exhibition in Cape Sun Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa. The conference this year, titled "Spotlight on Housing for 2010", covered a width range of topics, including stadium development, education and training, planning and urban Development, 2010 & its challenges, social housing and sustainable housing development. Upon the invitation of SAHF, Mr Sanford Poon, Chairman of CIHAPB and Mr P Y Fung, Chairman of IT Committee had attended the conference and exhibition.

The exhibition was opened on 11 October 09 evening in Cape Sun Hotel where delegates were warmly welcomed by the CEO of SAHF Mr John Hopkins. On 12 October 09 morning, the conference was officiated by Ms Helen Zille, Premier of the Western Cape. Mr Alderman Dan Plato, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, had also delivered the welcome speech in the conference.

Over 40 speakers from South Africa and counties in other parts of the world had made presentations in the conference, including Government officials, housing professionals, academics, CEOs of large corporation, bankers, etc. Mr Sanford Poon, Chairman of CIHAPB also conducted a presentation on "The Challenges and Solutions for Building Rehabilitation in Hong Kong" sharing our experience in Building Rehabilitation with delegates attending the meeting. Led by Mr Steve Benson, Immediate Past Chairman of CIH, 24 delegates from United Kingdom had also attended the conference sharing their experience with the participants.

On 13 October evening, delegates have attended the SAHF Annual Dinner and Housing Awards at Moyo, Spier Wine Estate, Stellenbosch where awards were presented to excellent students and well performed property management companies. The conference was closed on 14 October noon by Mr Bonginkosi Madikizela, Minister of Housing: Western Cape. Mr Steve Benon had also addressed the conference at its closing and gave an account on the work of Chartered Institute of Housing and the Housing in United Kingdom.

On 14 October afternoon, led by Mr Bonginkosi Madikizela, delegates visited the social housing developments in the metropolitan area of Cape Town, including Elsies River, Athlone, Q Town, Mitchell’s Plein-Tafelsig, New Hostels to Homes Project – Langa.

The conference provided an excellent platform for delegates to meet, learn, exchange ideas and share experience and ended with a great success. More than 500 delegates from various counties of the world had attended the conference. Delegates found that it was of great benefit in attending the conference and had a memorable experience. Through the conference, delegates of CIHAPB established a close linkage with our counterparts in South Africa and learnt a lot of their experience in Housing Management.