Iqbal Surve is, in fact, the chairman of the Sekunjalo group, as opposed to its CEO. The Sekunjalo group consists, largely, of three entities : the holding company, the listed company, and the Sekunjalo fund, each of which obviously has a different focus.
1. Tell us about your company and your role?
Sekunjalo Holdings is a classic investment holding company with investments in a number of multinationals of the African continent, such as Siemens, Nokia, oil trading entities, and so on. The listed company has investments in industries like fishing, aquaculture and pharmaceuticals, while the Sekunjalo Fund invests in (predominantly Black) entrepreneurs nationally, as well as in community groupings.My role in the organisation is to help set global strategy for the group with the executive team, and in to help ensure that the Sekunjalo brand, values and reputation are maintained.
2. What, in your view, is the best thing about running a business in Cape Town?
You don’t have to travel – people are happy to come here! Seriously, Cape Town is a good space to think, with its natural beauty, and the quality of its people and its infrastructure. Business is, after all, largely about thinking. As we know, innovation drives business, and Cape Town is the kind of place that allows that kind of reflection. I have, in fact, used Cape Town’s natural beauty to help seal any number of deals – whether it’s taking a potential customer up to Maclear’s Beacon, or along the Sea Point Promenade, I’ve found that this is a great place for discussion and deal-making.
3. What areas do you think need to be improved to enhance the business environment in Cape Town?
I believe that there needs to be more co-ordination within the business sector in Cape Town. The city’s business environment is characterised by a number of large companies, and many entrepreneurs. There need to be more initiatives like Accelerate Cape Town, to facilitate communications between large corporates and related smaller businesses.
4. How would you describe Cape Town’s business community?
Relatively small, and very tightly networked within networks, although not always across networks. An emerging sector in the local business community is that of entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses ; a great deal of innovation, as well as significant job creation, is taking place in this sector.
5. Accelerate Cape Town, as you are aware, is committed to developing a long-term vision and future strategy for the region. What is your “Vision 2030” for the city and region?
We should follow the example of other economies, where a clear, intentional focus on innovation has had far-reaching, long-term positive effects. The development of hubs to attract the best global minds is critical if Cape Town is to realise its promise of being a centre for innovation in South Africa.
Investment in people – and especially in educational opportunities to develop intellectual capacity for young scientists - and migration away from manufacturing to service industries, are key steps in this process.
6. For how long have you lived in Cape Town?
I have always lived in Cape Town – and, more specifically, in the Southern Suburbs! I studied at UCT, and have worked in various capacities in Cape Town since then.
7. What is your favourite place to visit in Cape Town?
It has to be Table Mountain, and especially the walks on the top of the mountain. The Southern Suburbs come a close second, though, and especially Rondebosch, where I live, for its sense of community.
8. How would you describe your ideal Saturday afternoon in the city?
I spend every Saturday afternoon playing tennis – it’s good exercise, it’s sociable, and so must be my ideal Saturday afternoon!
9. What would you choose as a tag line for Cape Town (as a business city)?
“It’s easy to do business here!” Our experience, having set up businesses all over the world, is that Cape Town is an easy location in which to do business. Favourable local regulations, good telecommunications, relatively easy-to-navigate traffic, good local infrastructure and the high calibre of local people all mean that Cape Town compares favourably both with Johannesburg as well as other global centres in terms of setting up, and conducting, businesses.
10. Whom do you most admire in the business world?
It’s easy to admire wealth, as a substitute for success, but I’d have to name Muhammad Yunus, the founder of the Grameen Bank as the person I most admire in business. He and the bank won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for their ground-breaking work in micro-lending.
The qualities that he exhibits, which have contributed to his success, include real passion for his work, as well as sheer determination allied with a great deal of chutzpah! His impact on the lives of millions has been immeasurable, and he has been a real inspiration to people both in the business world and outside of it.
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