Lew Geffen Reflects on High Drama and Personal Joy in 'Soul Mandate'

South African real estate icon Lew Geffen has mesmerized readers with his daring and revealing memoir, 'Soul Mandate'. Renowned for his bold strategies in the property market and being at the epicentre of sensational news, Geffen has now chronicled his multifaceted life story, drawing attention to moments that would shape and nearly dismantle his illustrious career.

The memoir takes us through a labyrinth of Geffen's experiences, including salacious accounts of extramarital affairs among his colleagues—one leading to a murder that seized public attention. The tragic incident occurred during his company's annual event in 2016 when Jason Rohde, a business associate involved in an affair, would go on to murder his wife Susan. Geffen, oblivious to the office gossip that could have perhaps prevented Susan Rohde's presence at the event and the subsequent catastrophe, provides a gripping eyewitness account of the events that unfolded.

Beyond the shadows of these dark chapters, Geffen's memoir also illuminates his personal quest for happiness. It narrates his own extramarital relationship that evolved into a meaningful bond and deliverance. Unlike the Rohde debacle, Geffen's affair has a silver lining, transforming into a loving partnership that lasted for more than two decades, substantiating that life can indeed emerge from the ruins of broken vows.

In a candid reflection of his professional journey, Geffen shares insights into his complex dynamic with his mother, Aïda, who once dismissed him from the family business over financial misstep—a R20,000 loss on property renovations. This harsh professional lesson via a note delivered by scooter demonstrates the uncompromising standards that were a part of Geffen's upbringing: a blend of tough love and business acumen.

As if straight out of a thriller, Geffen also recounts his harrowing dealings with the Israeli Mafia due to a misrepresentation in a property transaction, a mistake that forced him into a corner where only financial settlement would ensure his safety. This episode is a stark reminder of the high-risk stakes involved at the apex of real estate dealings, where fortunes and lives can turn on the sale of a property.

Apart from the unsavory brushes with crime and intricate relationships, the memoir unveils Geffen's affiliation with celebrities and dignitaries. Among his clientele was the revered late President Nelson Mandela, whose first house in Houghton was sold by Geffen, and even a property considered suitable for Princess Diana marks his sales portfolio.

Having had his fill of an extraordinary career in real estate, Geffen now turns the page towards a quieter passion, revealing his aspirations to become a compelling storyteller for children and possibly the next Roald Dahl. In an ever-changing narrative of his life, it seems that Lew Geffen is embarking on a fresh chapter, perhaps less fraught with peril and more brimming with imagination.