Latest news with #SekunjaloGroup
IOL News
18-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
From Liberation to Ownership: How Sekunjalo is Powering Nelson Mandela's Vision of Inclusive Economic Transformation
Discover how the Sekunjalo Group embodies Nelson Mandela's vision of economic justice in South Africa, challenging the status quo and striving for true transformation. Image: Independent Media In a country where the soul of transformation often gets buried beneath bureaucracy, profit margins, and political stagnation, the Sekunjalo Group stands not merely as a business entity, but as an ideal. A bold, African ideal born of purpose, shaped by sacrifice, and relentlessly driven by the conviction that freedom is incomplete without economic justice. On the eve of Nelson Mandela Day, South Africa finds itself reflecting on the man who led us out of political bondage. Yet, as we commemorate his legacy, one truth becomes impossible to ignore: the promise of economic liberation remains painfully deferred for millions. The townships still choke on poverty. Ownership of wealth remains skewed. And transformation, once the heartbeat of our new democracy, now whispers in the background. It is against this sobering backdrop that the story of Sekunjalo becomes not only relevant, but urgent. Founded in the post-apartheid spring of the late 1990s, Sekunjalo was not conjured in a boardroom with glossy projections. It was born in rooms filled with veterans of the struggle — men and women whose commitment to freedom had left them impoverished, imprisoned, and overlooked by the emerging elite. Their vision was not just to build a company, but to heal a country. To create an economic engine where political freedom had left a vacuum. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading It was President Nelson Mandela himself who nudged this vision into life. In meetings with Professor Jakes Gerwel and other former activists, he insisted that the coloured community of Cape Town, long marginalised under apartheid, must have a stake in the economic future of the city and the country. The name Sekunjalo, meaning 'Now is the Time,' came from one of these very gatherings. It wasn't just a name; it was a call to action. And action, indeed, followed. In 1999, Sekunjalo Investments became one of the few black empowerment companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. But unlike many BEE firms that emerged merely to tick boxes, Sekunjalo anchored itself in principles, not patronage. It was not built to serve elites, but to multiply opportunity. It was not created to enrich the few, but to invest in the many. Its core was empowerment, community, and sustainable value creation. Over the decades, the group expanded across multiple sectors — from healthcare to fishing, from media to technology — creating more than 20,000 direct and indirect jobs. It incubated black CEOs, funded education, and supported local businesses across the continent. It remained fiercely independent, even as competitors and institutions attempted to undermine or erase its impact. And it continued to be one of the very few large African investment groups that had not been swallowed by white capital or global conglomerates. Yet, Sekunjalo has paid dearly for this independence. Its media investments, including the acquisition of Independent Media, marked a turning point. Suddenly, the company was no longer just a player in business but a challenger to narrative control. A black-owned media house that dared to tell African stories with dignity, that questioned the status quo, that exposed what others chose to conceal. It became a target. Banking institutions began closing accounts. Smear campaigns intensified. Accusations — often without trial — became weapons to cripple its growth. But Sekunjalo did not fold. As Chairman Dr. Iqbal Survé once remarked, 'We have never been anti-establishment. We are against injustice, especially when it wears the mask of respectability.' Today, the relevance of Sekunjalo's journey transcends corporate boardrooms. It forces us to ask hard questions about where our country is heading. Why are black-owned companies still treated as suspects? Why are transformation champions punished while the architects of economic apartheid remain celebrated captains of industry? Why is it that, thirty years after democracy, institutions still recoil when real power is transferred into black hands? Nelson Mandela knew that freedom without ownership is a broken promise. He knew that healing a nation required more than reconciliation — it required redistribution, responsibility, and resolve. Sekunjalo's founding was not just endorsed by Mandela; it was aligned with his vision. The group exists not simply to succeed, but to model what ethical African capitalism can look like. It does not separate profit from purpose, nor scale from soul. In many ways, the Sekunjalo Group is the economic echo of Mandela's moral imagination — daring to be principled in a system that rewards corruption, daring to empower when others extract, and daring to be black, bold, and unapologetically African in a marketplace that still fears its own transformation. This Mandela Day, the call is not to light a candle or donate an hour. The call is to recommit to the deeper project he left behind, the building of a just and inclusive economy. Sekunjalo's story reminds us that this project is not theory. It is practice. It is possible. South Africa needs structures of integrity. It doesn't need performative empowerment. It needs brave institutions willing to absorb the cost of real change. Sekunjalo is not perfect, no movement born of struggle is, but it remains a powerful symbol of what is possible when business becomes a tool for nation-building, not just accumulation. 'Now is the time,' they said in 1997. In 2025, the time has not passed. It has only grown more urgent.
IOL News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Legacy of Hope: Panellists emphasise the importance of solidarity for South Africans
At the screening of the "Legacy of Hope" documentary premiere, Executive Chairman of the Sekunjalo Group, and guest of honour, Dr Iqbal Survè, highlighted the importance of solidarity among the Global South, and building solidarity among South Africans at home. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers Several panellists during the discussion on the forthcoming 'Legacy of Hope' documentary highlighted the significance of remembering our roots and how solidarity is the key for all South Africans. The issues of unity and global solidarity were among the top points highlighted by panellists at the premiere of the documentary, which took place on Thursday at the Wave Theatre Café in Cape Town. Organised by Zoetic Management, in collaboration with Moja Multimedia, 'Legacy of Hope, Freedom Through Solidarity: The Russia, Cuba, South African Chapter' is a new documentary exploring the crucial role of international support in ending apartheid. Many people gathered to hear panel members, which included the Executive Chairman of the Sekunjalo Group and guest of honour Dr Iqbal Survè, members of Parliament Bheki Radebe and Fadiel Adams, anti-apartheid activist Hilda Ndude, former deputy minister of International Relations and Cooperation and Moja Founde Marius Fransman, and Head of Journalism, CPUT, Dr Hermon Ogbamichael. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ A 30-minute cut of the pilot episode, which is the first instalment of a six-part series examining the interwoven histories of South Africa's liberation movements and the global solidarity that proved vital to their success, was played for attendees. The film highlights the support provided by nations like Cuba, Russia, and China, and emphasises the continued importance of such alliances in today's world. 'Legacy of Hope' features interviews with prominent figures such as SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila, former State Security minister and MK Commander Ronnie Kasrils, Human Rights Chairperson Chris Nissen, former MP Ndude, trade union leaders, and former exiles. Fransman said that the idea for the documentary came from the feeling that whenever people gathered to commemorate events, such as the anniversary of the Freedom Charter, they often lacked the knowledge of the context and history in which those events occurred. 'That's why it is called 'legacy of hope' - it's the legacy, but it's hope for the future. What are we telling our youth? What are we telling them about what's taken shape in our society? '...We said, let's do something recognising chapters in our society, and celebrating why we are here.' Fransman said that soon they will be going into universities and different parts of the country to screen the documentary. Ndude said that the solidarity highlighted in the documentary is what has kept the people of South Africa, and those who were exiled during apartheid, strong. 'It was that (global) solidarity that received them, sheltered them, welcomed them, and established the network for them. Solidarity is the key for us as South Africans, and we must always remember who we are and where we come from. 'Because if you know your roots, of where you come from, and your roots are rooted, you'll be able to build a very stable foundation moving forward.' MP Radebe highlighted that South Africa is a product of solidarity, and that in moving forward, the country cannot afford to move alone. He said that what is critical in regards to what South Africa has done is that it has ensured that the African Union is going to be represented, and has ensured that the Global South is represented. 'In moving forward, as Dr Iqbal Survé has indicated earlier, when we speak about solidarity, we must start with the solidarity within South Africa. It cannot be that in a country like ours, we can have the highest inequality in the world.'
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Legacy of Hope: Dr Iqbal Survè says importance of Global South solidarity needs to start at home
Sekunjalo Group Executive Chairman, Dr Iqbal Survè, was the guest of honour at the launch of the documentary. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newpsapers At the screening of the "Legacy of Hope" documentary premiere, Executive Chairman of the Sekunjalo Group, and guest of honour, Dr Iqbal Survè highlighted the importance of solidarity among the Global South, and building solidarity amongst South Africans at home. The issues of inclusivity, unity and global solidarity was among the top points highlighted by panelists at the premiere of the "Legacy of Hope" documentary, which took place on Thursday, at The Wave Theatre Café in Cape Town. Organised by Zoetic Management, in collaboration with Moja Multimedia, 'Legacy of Hope, Freedom Through Solidarity: The Russia, Cuba, South African Chapter' is a new documentary exploring the crucial role of international support in ending apartheid. Many people gathered to hear panel members, which included members of parliament, Bheki Radebe and Fadiel Adams, anti-Apartheid activist Hilda Ndude, Former Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Marius Fransman and Head of Journalism at CPUT Dr. Hermon Ogbamichael. This 43-minute pilot episode is the first instalment of a six-part series examining the interwoven histories of South Africa's liberation movements and the global solidarity that proved vital to their success. The film highlights the support provided by nations like Cuba, Russia and China and emphasises the continued importance of such alliances in today's world. "Legacy of Hope" features interviews with prominent figures such as SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila, Former State Security Minister and MK Commander Ronnie Kasrils, Human Rights Chairperson Chris Nissen, former MP Ndude, Fransman, trade union leaders and former exiles. Survè started by congratulating the organisers and filmmakers, who said that there is a serious attempt to rewrite our history, and that in terms of Global South solidarity, it is incredibly difficult to tell the truth and an authentic history, 'not a revisionist history', of our own country. 'Tonight is also about us taking back what is ours, which nobody must take away from us - our history, and our experiences, notwithstanding the fact that many have lost their way. That does not mean that that which we have fought for, and that which was created in solidarity, must simply be ignored because it's fashionable to do so.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'We have come out of the period of a unipolar world. I say come out - we are not completely out of the unipolar world, and we are transitioning into a multi-polar world, where those of us in the Global South are beginning to find each other again. And beginning to understand, you know, the issue of a shared humanity. 'If there is one thing that's important, and I say this with enormous respect, as much as we want to emphasise the importance of the Global South's solidarity, that solidarity needs to start here, in our own country. 'You cannot be in this country right now and ignore the plight of the majority of people in this country. You cannot be blinded to issues of unemployment, non-access to healthcare and education, and just absolutely (be) a hopeless state for most of our young people." Survè said that values of solidarity must be part of a chain of values that start in society today, and that start in our homes. 'Someone a long time ago once said to me that if you understand history and you are clear about history, you will be able to design the future. 'And, you know, there's a lot of good about our struggles, and we forget that.' Survè said that it is very lonely to be in a place where you are against a dominant narrative, and that people can find themselves targeted when they are true to their authentic narrative. Sekunjalo Group Executive Chairman, Dr Iqbal Survè, was the guest of honour at the launch of the documentary. Panelists included: Head of Journalism, CPUT, Dr. Hermon Ogbamichael, anti-Apartheid activist Hilda Ndude, Co-Producer Marius Fransman, and members of parliament, Bheki Radebe and Fadiel Adams. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newpsapers Co-Producer Marius Fransman said that "Legacy of Hope' is more than a documentary, and it is a reminder that freedom was never won in isolation. 'This film honours the powerful alliances that stood with South Africa in its darkest hour and invites a new generation to understand the meaning of global solidarity. We believe these stories must not only be remembered, but reactivated in the world we live in today." Co-Producer Bo Mbindwane emphasised the film's message for future generations. "We want young people to see themselves in this story - not just as beneficiaries of freedom, but as its next custodians. This film is a reminder that South Africa's freedom was never achieved in isolation. It was the result of global sacrifice and solidarity. That legacy still matters.'
IOL News
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Honouring Rashid Lombard: The South African photographer who shaped the jazz scene
Rashid Lombard passed away on Wednesday at the age of 74. Image: Brenton Geach/Independent Newspapers Sekunjalo Group and espAfrika extended their condolences on the passing of Rashid Lombard, an acclaimed photographer, cultural activist, and jazz promoter. Lombard passed away on Wednesday at the age of 74, surrounded by his loved ones. Sekunjalo Group and espAfrika said Lombard's passing is a profound loss to South Africa and the global arts community because his work is etched across multiple spheres. "From his work as a courageous photojournalist during the anti-apartheid struggle, to his pioneering role in founding espAfrika and conceptualising the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CPIJF), now ranked among the four largest jazz festivals in the world," the organisations said in a statement. In 1997, Lombard founded espAfrika, which orchestrated one of his most notable accomplishments: the CPIJF. Launched in 2000, he directed the festival until his retirement in 2014, leaving a profound influence on South Africa's jazz scene and its global recognition. After stepping away from the festival, he dedicated time to digitising his extensive archives, a task previously overseen by his wife, Colleen. Partnering with the National Archives and the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC), he aimed to make his vast collection publicly accessible as a national heritage resource. "As we pay tribute to his life and legacy, we extend our deepest sympathies to his beloved wife Colleen, his sister Fazoe Sydow, his children Chevan, Shadley, Yana, Zach, and Daniel, and his cherished grandchildren Liya, Aydin-Malik, Oliver, AmirUccio, and Stella Ahed," read the statement. Born on 10 April 1951 in North End, Gqeberha, Lombard's family moved to Cape Town in 1962. Initially trained as an architectural draftsman and later as an industrial photographer, he began his career at the construction giant Murray & Roberts. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ During the tumultuous years of the anti-apartheid struggle, Lombard worked as a freelance photographer and television sound recordist, capturing moments of unrest, resilience, and hope for international media including Agence France-Presse, the BBC, and NBC. His work immortalised pivotal events in South Africa's transition to democracy, from the rise of the democratic movement in the 1980s to Nelson Mandela's historic release in 1990 and the first democratic elections in 1994. With the dawn of democracy came Rashid's opportunity to fully embrace another of his great passions: jazz. He served as the station manager at Fine Music Radio and later as the programming manager at P4 Smooth Jazz Radio Image: Phando Jikelo
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Dr Iqbal Survé Calls for Digital-Driven Youth Employment at Future of Jobs Summit
Sekunjalo Group chairman Dr Iqbal Survé delivered a passionate and personal address at the 2025 Future of Jobs Summit held at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Thursday. Speaking alongside civic and business leaders, including Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, FNB South Africa's Head of Marketing Katlego Mahloane, and Gauteng Legislature's Dulton Keith Adams, Dr Survé used the platform to spotlight the role of technology and media in combating South Africa's youth unemployment crisis. Receiving a warm welcome from delegates, Dr Survé veered off-script at moments to share anecdotes from his journey — from a young medical doctor to leading a multi-billion-rand conglomerate with over 8 000 employees. Half of them, he proudly noted, are black African youth under 35. 'Sekunjalo doesn't just talk about youth empowerment — we live it, breathe it, and invest in it daily,' he told the audience. 'This is why today's conversation isn't theoretical for us. It's practical. It's urgent.'Dr Survé highlighted Sekunjalo's investments across energy, media, ICT, e-commerce, and telecommunications, and drew attention to the group's philanthropic work supporting youth entrepreneurship and education through Survé Philanthropies. Focusing on the summit's core theme — jobs for the future — Survé zeroed in on digital transformation. He shared the inspiring story of Thato Joseph Mashifane, a young man from Dennilton in Limpopo who, after losing his job, turned to TikTok with a comedic character named "Sis Maria." With just a smartphone, broomstick, and a laptop, Mashifane has built a social media empire with over 1.3 million TikTok followers, turning content creation into a sustainable career.'This is the power of media and technology,' said Survé. 'If one young South African can rewrite his future with a smartphone and passion, imagine what millions could achieve.'
