Engel & Volkers is a truly international brand, and we pride ourselves on our multi-lingual team. Hans de Lange, our principal, and Seipati Csaski are both based in the Camps Bay shop, and both speak several languages. They also both happen to live in our featured area, Sea Point! Let’s find out more about them both.
Hans de Lange
I was born in the Netherlands, near Maastricht, the middle of three brothers. My dad, who had an Indonesian background, was an officer in the Dutch army. We regularly moved due to his career and spent six years in Surinam. My plan was to study French, but I was called to do military service, and then ended up completing my full sergeant training. Also deployed to Surinam, I enjoyed - and endured! - survival training in the jungle, with my group of 12! Once back in the Netherlands, I joined the Paribas banking group, also completing the entrance exam for the Sorbonne in Paris.
I am a keen linguist, speaking fluent Dutch/Afrikaans, German, French and English, and was keen to pursue an international career, so I joined the finance and personnel department of Swissair in Amsterdam. This led to assignments in Algeria, Senegal and Tripoli, and then a period of time in Johannesburg.
When the airline unfortunately went into receivership, I accepted a position with IATA Geneva as regional manager, Southern Africa, and travelled extensively, to Harare, Lusaka, Blantyre, Windhoek, Mauritius, to name but a few. Having sold a property privately, I decided that real estate, as my next employment venture, made a lot of sense. It was time for another move, so I took and passed the professional exam, and relocated to Cape Town.
Following a stint with another company, I joined Engel &Volkers 12 years ago, and as well as being an agent, I am also the company principal. That brings with it a set of specific and challenging responsibilities, primarily around the issue of industry compliance, which is a complicated business in South Africa. I also, of course, deal with the typical “basket of events and undertakings” of an agent, responding to requests and interacting with colleagues and clients in general. Admin and follow-up calls, canvassing, solving unexpected problems/issues and assisting colleagues can all
make up my day. However much one may try to plan ahead, unforeseen events will add to the varied nature of the business, and your day will in most cases be full of the unexpected, both positive and negative.
In my spare time, I am very keen on bridge, playing with very strong players in Franschhoek and privately playing social bridge which is an excellent networking opportunity as well. I genuinely enjoy my beach walks and having drinks and a nice meal afterwards with some good company. Movies are also part of my spare time and so is upkeeping my Indonesian cooking skills, when I have time.
I consider myself being a trustful and honest person with a not-always hidden sense of humor. I have a good rapport with, and a deep respect for, nature, especially with everything that walks, crawls and flies. And if I could learn something new, I would most definitely study law, for various reasons! As a resident of the Atlantic Seaboard, I like the mix of different architectural designs - well- kept Victorians with updated interior design or minimalistic industrial concepts.
You will find these gems not only in Fresnaye or Green Point but also in Bantry Bay. And, of course, the Sea Point Promenade, all the way to Mouille Point, is always a treat!
Seipati Csaki
I was born in Meadowlands, Soweto, and I'm the elder of two daughters. When I was 10, my father relocated to the North West for work, so I grew up there. I had an early start in the working world, auditioning successfully at 13 to become a presenter on a television show called Morole Tsoga on Mmabatho TV. This early start meant I didn't really get to experience a typical teenage life, as I was constantly on the road with the crew.
Having moved to Germany, where I started my family, we all returned six years ago to Cape Town. I initially worked as a tour guide and then ventured into starting my own tour company. However, due to the impact of Covid, I had to pivot, and my view was that, even when people couldn't travel, there would always be a market for buying and selling houses. Furthermore, for me, as a fluent German speaker, there is an obvious synergie with the Engel & Volkers brand. My job is far from a nine-to-five! I'm an early bird, so my day usually starts with a lot of action at 5 am as I get my daughter ready for school. I then meditate to clear my mind before diving into my day. I thrive on routine, so I'm quite disciplined. Each day, I have a to-do list that includes tasks like canvassing, administrative work, property viewings, and preparing to list properties. I prefer working alone, as I find it easier to
manage things myself than to delegate tasks. When I work from home, I often like to sit in coffee shops and chat with strangers – I'm definitely not shy!
One of the main challenges of the job is getting new listings through canvassing. Whilst I do it, it can be daunting at times. The real estate industry is highly competitive, so I always feel the need to come up with unconventional ways to stand out. One thing I'm proud of that sets me apart is my ability to speak English, German and about three South African languages. I absolutely love meeting new people, and my job allows me to do just that. It's incredibly rewarding to connect with clients and help them find their dream homes. In my spare time, I love spending time with my family and friends.
My husband and I are huge foodies, so we enjoy trying out new restaurants and dishes. I also love singing! I grew up in a family where there was always music, so singing has been a big part of my life. When I lived in Germany, I used to sing in bands in my spare time. I have always wanted to learn how to play the piano. I still believe it's something I will pursue in the future.
I absolutely love Sea Point! Not only because I live there, but also because of the vibrant energy it has. Everything I need is within walking distance, which is super convenient. Plus, being just one street away from the Promenade is fantastic.