I felt deeply honoured to have received the Absa Business Icon Award at a glittering event in Johannesburg on 22 October. I have always believed that business is not simply an opportunity to enrich shareholders. I believe that business is a tool for the achievement of societal goals, thereby enriching not just shareholders, but rather, the entire environment in which a company operates. My goal has been, ‘To build a world-class company, trusted for its family values and passion to improve lives’. The theory is that if we can give great value and brilliant service to our customers, pay our suppliers on time and treat them with respect, look after the people we employ, protect the environment and support the community, then we should be able to make a sufficient return to keep shareholders happy.
Those of us who are privileged to be in leadership positions have a huge responsibility to use our knowledge, our experience, our connections and our resources to change the world from what it is, to what it can be. In other words… “Tikkun Olam”!
I have served in many communal roles in business, the arts, upliftment of the downtrodden, and of course the Jewish Community of South Africa in general, and of Cape Town, in particular.
I am a passionate South African determined to create as many jobs as possible so as to alleviate poverty in our country. Alleviating poverty will reduce crime, reducing crime will attract investment, attracting investment will create jobs, and creating jobs will help our economy to grow.
Whereas South Africa is proudly my physical home, Israel, and specifically Jerusalem, will always be my spiritual home. Our company is being targeted for boycotts and pickets as a result of an allegation that I am funding the Israeli army. Needless to say, this is absolutely fallacious! I have never funded the Israeli army or any other army for that matter. However, I have funded humanitarian projects in Israel and South Africa, most of which have benefited both Jews and Muslims. I am saddened by attempts to sow disunity amongst South Africans. We should be looking for reasons to unite rather than fanning the flames of hate.
The Icon Award will inspire me to do my best not just for our Jewish Community, but rather for South Africa as a whole. Needless to say, I will never turn my back on my beloved State of Israel and its spiritual importance in my life.
• Published in the December 2023/January 2024 issue – Click here to start reading.
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