Gqeberha-born Allistiar Langson, the Managing Director and recently appointed board member of the JSE-listed Calgro M3 Developments, is a man driven by passion and purpose. His journey from law to property development is a testament to his adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit.
Allistiar Langson is not your conventional custodian of concrete and capital. As the Managing Director and recently appointed board member of the JSE-listed Calgro M3 Developments, Langson’s journey into the world of property development has been both dynamic and unorthodox. From Accounting to Law, to construction, urban planning, and development, the former sportsman is no stranger to rolling up his sleeves in a leadership position. His unwavering pursuit of excellence, combined with his firm commitment to building and empowering an exceptional team has positioned him as a respected figure in the industry. With a sharp legal mind, a passion for people, and an entrepreneurial spirit, he has forged a path that seamlessly integrates business acumen with social impact. Whether it’s closing high-stakes deals or handing over keys to first-time homeowners, his vision is transforming the South African urban development landscape—one brick at a time. Below: is a glimpse into Langson’s demanding yet fulfilling life.
AS A CHILD, “I never thought much of property other than it being a roof above your head, however now I appreciate that so much more can be done in that particular area, and having my ear to the ground nationally, I believe there are some exciting new developments on the horizon.”
HIS FAMILY has a rich knowledge of the construction sector. “Starting out in my dad’s business, Ikhaya Developments, moulded my path to where I am today. Gaining hands-on knowledge was a great learning curve.”
GROWING UP in West End a suburb of Gberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, Langson’s early interest was sparked by his exposure to the property industry through his father’s work. “My Dad, Malcolm, was involved in the [industry] and still is today, successfully so. Listening to the conversations [of the adults in my life] sparked my curiosity.”
HIS WORK ETHIC and the ability to balance multiple responsibilities was instilled during his time at Grey High School. “[My] schooling life, definitely helped shape me into being more disciplined…you are taught how to manage time effectively, especially in the senior years. Being able to juggle academics with a ridged and full sports routine was at the top of the learning curve.”
HE HAD PLANNED to qualify as a chartered accountant. “I initially studied BCOM Rationum, offered by the then University of Port Elizabeth,” Langson recalls. “In my second year of studies, I found the law subjects more interesting and ventured in that direction. However, after my law articles, I ended up in property by default.”
AFTER GRADUATING he received an opportunity from International Housing Solutions (IHS), a private equity property fund, which set the tone for further opportunities and advancements in the sector. Taking an immense learning curve in his stride, he was offered a permanent position after an initial 3-month contract. “I cut my teeth in deal structuring and learning what property development was really all about. From deal-making to closing, from legal to roof-wetting, these experiences truly shaped who and where I am today.”
HE WAS HEADHUNTED early on in his career. “My experience in the ICT sector was short-lived but instrumental. Calgro M3 headhunted me from IHS, knowing very well the skill set and knowledge I would be bringing along with me at the time. Langson’s legal background has provided him with a unique perspective on property development. His understanding of contracts and regulations has enabled him to navigate complex deals and mitigate risks.
HE ADMITS that the most challenging few days were when he was initially appointed. “I needed to understand the role more deeply, and not just the business side of things.” As Managing Director of Calgro M3, Langson has faced numerous challenges, including integrating diverse teams and adapting to changing market conditions. “I had however spent long hours in the months leading up to my formal appointment, understanding the business and having the staff buy into my new ideas and proposed changes.”
HIS GREATEST ASSET is his team.“I firmly believe in empowerment, and in empowering and equipping my team with the resources (within means) and support to help them thrive. I am also big on team members pursuing self-improvement; it shows me they are hungry to learn, as I am. I also recognise all the team’s efforts and contributions to making the business a success.”
HIS LEGAL BACKGROUND has been his secret sauce. “Law has no doubt set a firm base from which to explore corporate opportunities. With this, heading into operations has been a smooth transition. The law provides contract understanding, which in turn allows you to firmly operate knowing what the parameters are that you are operating within.”
HE’S DRIVEN by a desire to make a positive impact on South Africa’s property development landscape. He believes that the industry has the potential to transform lives and create sustainable communities. “I am inspired by the mere fact that every day I am part of a value chain that brings so much joy to a first-time homeowner. When you hear your clients’ stories and listen, with intent, to their background journey and what it took to get to that key handover moment, it all makes the journey worthwhile. To afford those who dream a moment to achieve their dream. To play a part and ensure that the housing backlog we have in South Africa can also be eradicated over time.”
HE’S PASSIONATE about motivating and inspiring his team. His leadership has been recognised with a Top 20 Corporate Leader award in the SAIBPP100 for the second year running. “I believe that my ability to motivate and encourage teams, throughout the value chain of the business. I am also in constant pursuit of making our integrated developments better, which in turn allows the industry to recognize the company’s growth, and therefore by default, mine as the leader.”
HIS GREATEST INFLUENCES include his father and uncle. “My Dad was the person who taught me the ropes and remains my soundboard to this day. From him, I have learned that hard times will arise in business, but it takes resilience to overcome them. It takes hard work, but it also takes determination. He also taught me to know my worth in the corporate environment and stick to my guns.”
“Theo Langson—my dad’s brother and business partner, has been an entrepreneur all his life, but listening to how he navigates business has helped me shape my decision-making when I am faced with making the tough calls.”
HE BELIEVES exceptional leaders are decisive, visionary, and clear communicators. “The property development industry can be unpredictable so having a firm understanding of market trends, the ability to make tough decisions swiftly, based on data and intuition, and being able to adapt and recover from setbacks is important. This and maintaining ethical standards in dealings with stakeholders, clients, and team members fosters trust and long-term relationships, I cannot stress the importance of this enough.”
HE DETESTS people who lack accountability.“There is nothing wrong in saying “I messed up and need your help.”
HE ADMIRES empathy in others. “Everyone has a story to tell, so having the empathy to sit and listen to them means that you as an individual are willing to learn from others. I like salt-of-the-earth people, [this coupled with] honesty and ambition will have me itching to chat with you.”
HE’S COMMITTED to position the company as a leader in sustainable and inclusive property development. “My long-term goal within Calgro M3 is for the business to constantly shape the property development landscape within South Africa. I think it is important for me to be continuously driving strategic growth and innovation within [the company] while maintaining high standards of quality of the homes we produce.
HIS PREFERRED approach to decision-making involves data-driven analysis and evaluation. “I believe that all decision-making must consider and evaluate the data set before you. Comprehensively understanding the market and of course, doing financial viability studies on the opportunity presented. Not only that, but I believe that getting input from the team is also key; having their buy-in is critical to rolling out any new project. The other items such as risk analyses, stakeholder engagements, etc. are par for the course.”
HIS INVOLVEMENT IN SPORT has equipped him with the qualities needed to succeed. “Rugby teaches you that, no matter your position in the team, when the time comes to get stuck into the business of the day, you have to roll up your sleeves and do so. I believe my persistence and adaptability have opened many doors and carried me through tough times.”
HE UNWINDS by playing fishing, which provides him with a much-needed respite from the pressures of work. “[Fishing] teaches you patience. To sit back and wait, all whilst the madding crowd is chasing the elusive big one, I believe that strategically positioning yourself with the right bait and preparation, will place you in the right position. [This is] typical of my leadership style.”
OF ALL HIS TITLES, his favourite is “Daddy”. When he’s off the clock you can find him spending quality time with his children. In my downtime, I am with my two beautiful kids, Alexis and Connor. I am non-negotiable about my family time and being present for them at every big occasion or event at school. It’s important to me that when I am present, I am also fully present for them to have all of me, they are growing kids, and I am blessed to have the opportunity to watch them grow in their journey.”
HE SURROUNDS himself with a great support system and attributes his trajectory to this. “It would be misleading if I were to say it’s been easy, it certainly has not been. Continuously working late hours, then again burning the midnight oil once home, coupled with [work-related] travel, can be challenging. However, I found the balance and had to go back into my archives to see how I managed it before – like when I was playing rugby and committing to my studies.”
HE CONSIDERS HIMSELF a devoted family man and enjoys spending time with his wife and children. Despite his demanding career, Langson prioritizes his personal life. “My wife Melissa has been my rock and biggest supporter. She has unselfishly given up her corporate career to support me with mine and focus on the well-being of our family. This has allowed me to devote those extra hours to my role, for which I am and will be eternally grateful. My family, my mom, dad, and siblings, have also been my greatest support and cheerleaders throughout this journey. They have been my prayer warriors.
HIS BEST ADVICE is to avoid decision paralysis. “Take the risk and be more adventurous. The consequences in business are all the same, you are always making new learning experiences – never failures. So, when you fail, fail forward young man”.
HIS FAVOURITE quote is by A.A. Milne the beloved author of Winnie-the-Pooh. “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think”
Delon le Roux is a project manager and freelance fashion writer. Formerly an editorial and runway model in Asia, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Media, Communications, and Culture from Nelson Mandela University, complemented by a recent master’s degree in Strategic Management and Business Law.
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