Our heritage – the way we grow up and the homes that we live in – often influence the property decisions we make in our futures. Things we loved about our childhood and family homes will probably be carried through into our own homes and families one day, while those we did not enjoy will be avoided. We asked
Ruzia Fry, Property Professional for Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty in Retreat, Steenberg and Heathfield
, how her home and ideas about property have been influenced by her heritage and how she honours her roots in her adult life.
What lessons have you learned about property from your parents/ grandparents?
Neither my parents nor grandparents could afford to purchase property, unfortunately, but they always encouraged us to study hard and go the extra mile to achieve something in life – and to hopefully purchase our own homes one day.
The greatest lesson I learnt from them was that home is all about family and that regardless of how grand or modest your home, if your family was around you, that’s all that matters.
HERITAGE Stories: Romona Reddy
How has your family home influenced the type of property you live in or want to live in?
We grew up in a very modest home, and there was never any money to spare, but my parents never told us when they didn’t have any. They would always make a plan and we always had food on the table.
I come from a very big family and my grandparents’ house was crowded as they had their kids and grandchildren living with them. But it was always a happy home, and growing up we had fun, and that is what is still most important now – a happy home.
Today, I’m proud to be a property professional in the area where I grew up and to have realised my biggest dream – I bought my own home three years ago. It also means I am able to encourage my own kids by giving them the best, setting an example and nurturing them to the best of my ability.