The IGrow Group has its origins in entrepreneur Jacques Fouché’s early experiences as a property investor. Through his transformative journey into property investment, filled with trial and error, he identified a need for cohesive, expert advice and support for long-term, profitable property investment.
IGrow was founded by Jacques with at first just a small group passionately committed to this clear vision. The aim was to help everyday South Africans build wealth through property investing. From its inception, IGrow has evolved into a leading property investment group. This ecosystem aids its investors with education, strategic investment advice, financing, legal structuring, tax management, insurance, rental management and property resales.
A small beginning with a bigger vision
The IGrow group laid down its roots with a simple ambition. The idea was that property investment in South Africa should be accessible and supported by an expert team. Jacques Fouché founded IGrow to help investors use buy-to-let property as a long-term wealth-generation tool, rather than navigating the process alone, as he had to when he first started investing.
This vision is still central to IGrow Wealth Investment. The in-house full-service group combines property sourcing, financing, rental management and wealth planning. It has an aim to build your wealth through a property portfolio and protect it with our trust and tax optimisation.
Growing beyond the first office
With the company growing, a second office was opened in Johannesburg. The Cape Town team moved to Durbanville at a later date. Then they moved to Barinor’s Vineyard as our staff base grew. After some time, that office was too small as well.
Now, after celebrating IGrow’s 20th anniversary on 10 July 2026, the company has moved into a bigger office space in Durbanville on Oxford Street. This step in our journey exemplifies the IGrow company history: continuous growth, taking on new challenges and being open to building for the future.
From sticky notes to smarter systems
Lezelle Kirsten has been part of this transformation over the 17 years she has worked with IGrow. She joined the team when the company was just two years old. She worked in reception and organised seminars. As time progressed, her role moved into acquisitions, and currently she leads IGrow Real Estate International.
Lezelle looks back on the shift from printed plans and sticky notes to track sold apartments to Smartsheets and now AI systems integrated into the company. Although the tools have changed, the vision remains the same, which is to solve problems and improve our service offering.
This adaptability runs through the IGrow Wealth Investments history, as a team we learn to work smarter while growing.
Learning, adapting and refocusing
Not every move we make stays within he business. IGrow delved into hospitality through the L’Hermitage hotel venture, and decided to exit after COVID.
“I also took on the challenge of sorting out L’Hermitage – our brief foray into hotels, which we eventually decided to exit post-COVID. Then last year, Jacques asked me to take over IGrow Real Estate International.” – Lezelle Kirsten, Head of IGrow Real Estate International
This division has grown into our premium property sales arm. We sell luxury properties to local and international home buyers and investors, and handle occasional resales of investment properties. We’re operating in the more traditional “estate agent” side of property, selling to home buyers rather than purely to investors. – Lezelle Kirsten, Head of IGrow Real Estate International
A broader property service
Currently, IGrow offers guidance to our investors with strategic advice, home loans, trust set-up, accounting and tax expertise, insurance and financial planning, and rental management as outlined on its About page.
Together with investment property sales, IGrow Real Estate International has created a premium residential sales division for local and international buyers, and IGrow investors looking to resell. With Lezelle steering the ship, monthly sales have grown from around two or three to 15–17. Listings include high-value homes and lifestyle properties. The team focuses on hands-on service, property market knowledge and a proven track record. This part of the IGrow Group of Companies has been part of IGrow’s journey from start-up to industry leader.
This signifies an extra layer in the IGrow company history, adding specialist team knowledge and also capitalising on the group’s investment knowledge.
The market is ever-changing: FNB’s July 2026 House-Price-Index showed annual house-price growth eased to 5.2% in June, highlighting the importance of making informed investment decisions. (Source)
Conclusion
From two people and a spreadsheet to an expert property investment business, the IGrow Wealth Investments history is a story of people being innovative. Lezelle’s journey at IGrow shows how exceptional service is proven through every successful property transaction.
The same approach will continue to inspire the IGrow company’s history. Our team combines expertise with practical support and guidance for investors at every stage of their property investment journey across South Africa. As we look forward to our next chapter, our founding goal remains evident. IGrow aims to help everyday South Africans invest in property backed by expert knowledge, guidance and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jacques Fouché founded IGrow Wealth Investments in 2006 to help everyday South Africans build long-term wealth through property investment.
IGrow has evolved from a small team into an integrated property investment group offering investment advice, home loans, rental management, tax and accounting services, wealth planning and property resales.
IGrow Real Estate International is a company within the IGrow Group, serving local and international buyers, sellers and investors with luxury residential properties and specialist real estate expertise.
