Like Mother, Like Daughter: The Bester-Botes Real Estate Legacy
Some careers begin with a leap. Others begin at the kitchen table, where stories of clients, contracts, and community fill the air over breakfast. For one local real estate agent at Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty Helderberg, her calling was never far from home – it was woven into the fabric of her childhood in Somerset West.
Born and raised in the heart of this town, Chantal Botes remembers watching her mother – Hester Bester, a pioneer in Somerset West’s property scene – build a booming real estate business from the ground up in the early 1980s. Her mother didn’t just sell homes; she helped shape the neighbourhoods we know today. Many of the seasoned agents working in the Helderberg area today once trained under her guidance or felt her influence in their own professional journeys. Her legacy wasn’t just in property – it was in people.
“I remember her being deeply involved in the local Chamber of Commerce and the Afrikaanse Sakekamer,” she recalls. “She really cared about promoting the interests of small businesses and uplifting the wider community. That made a big impression on me.”
It’s no surprise, then, that those values – service, integrity, and genuine connection – have become the foundation of Chantal’s own career. Since becoming an estate agent in 2003, and joining Sotheby’s Somerset West in 2011, she’s carved out her own reputation as someone who listens deeply and delivers consistently, always with her clients’ best interests at heart.
“What gets me up in the morning? It’s the people. I love the challenge of finding just the right property for someone, whether it’s their first home, a family upgrade, or a retirement downsize. Every day brings new stories.”
And where better to work in real estate than Somerset West? With its mix of upscale estates, family homes, and more accessible options, there really is something for everyone. It’s a town where wine farms, top schools, mountain views and community spirit come together – a place that feels more like a vibrant village than a city on the rise.
When asked about any brilliant deals on the market, “There are gems all over, but at the moment, properties in Boskloof Eco Estate and Fairhaven Country Estate are drawing a lot of interest. They offer that balance of nature, security, and style that many buyers are looking for today.” To know more, see her full portfolio of properties.
For homeowners looking to sell, sell quickly and sell well – she’s clear: make it easy for buyers to imagine themselves moving in. “Most people want a property that’s move-in ready. A few small upgrades and a clean, welcoming presentation will make a huge difference.”
As for why she’s chosen to stay with Sotheby’s for over a decade, her answer is simple: “It’s more than just the name, though being backed by such a respected international brand is a huge advantage, it’s the people. Our team works together, supports each other, and shares the same values. That makes all the difference.”
In a town where legacies are built not just on properties but on relationships, this story feels like a full-circle moment – a daughter walking the path her mother once paved, continuing the work of connecting people not just with houses, but with homes.