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His first professional role was in industry at Sasol. This experience gave him insight into operational discipline and structure Subscribe Home KZN Leaders Up Up Aven Naidu His first professional role was in industry at Sasol. This experience gave him insight into operational discipline and structure Aven Naidu is the chief executive officer of the Avemel Group, a multifaceted business rooted in logistics, property and construction, and guided by a strong commitment to community upliftment. In his role, he steers the organisation’s strategic vision, inspires innovation and ensures that each division operates with purpose, collaboration and integrity. Aven was born and raised in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. He attributes much of his early development to the values instilled in him during his childhood. “From a young age, I was surrounded by people who worked hard and showed strong work ethic,” he says. This foundation encouraged him to pursue a career that would have an impact beyond profit. After completing his studies, he entered the transport and logistics sector. Aven recalls, “I entered a space that challenged me to think beyond moving goods and toward building longterm, sustainable solutions.” ENTREPRENEURIAL INSTINCT His first professional role was in industry at Sasol. This experience gave him insight into operational discipline and structure. However, his entrepreneurial instinct guided his next move. “I quickly realised that I wasn’t built to stay in my lane,” he explains. “I’ve always had the urge to think outside the box, explore new strategies, and take calculated risks.” That instinct led him to establish his own business, which later evolved into the Avemel Group. Aven’s personal purpose underpins his leadership philosophy. “My why is to create meaningful impact for our employees, our clients and our community,” he says. Aven strongly believes that success should be collective rather than individual. “Avemel was founded on the belief that success is shared. I’m driven by a desire to create opportunities, empower people to realise their potential and build a legacy of integrity, innovation and unity.” One of his core beliefs is that everyone should fulfil their potential. “I can’t stand seeing people waste their God-given talents. My purpose is to help unlock them.” Reaching the twenty-year milestone of Avemel is among Aven’s proudest achievements. He reflects, “From humble beginnings to becoming a respected name in logistics and beyond, our journey reflects two decades of dedication, teamwork and faith.” What he values most is the growth of people within the organisation. “Seeing the people who started with us still growing within the organisation today – that, to me, defines real success.” He has encountered significant challenges throughout his journey. “The biggest challenge was sustaining our business during times of economic uncertainty, especially during the pandemic, while protecting our workforce,” he explains. “We overcame this by staying adaptable, diversifying our operations and prioritising our people. Transparency, communication and versatility became our pillars. By standing together, we came out stronger than before.” BUILDING GENUINE CONNECTION Aven believes the key to motivation lies in building genuine connection. He says, “I take the time to listen, to lead by example and to celebrate both small and big wins.” Even in difficult times, he reminds his team of their shared purpose and the importance of how every individual contributes to the bigger picture. “We focus on solutions, not blame. That approach builds trust, unity and resilience.” Leadership advice received early in his life continues to shape his actions. “The best advice I’ve ever received was: Never forget where you came from,” he shares. “It keeps me grounded and reminds me that leadership is not about authority; it is about service. We must always remember that no single person is bigger than the business.” Aven draws his inspiration from both his family and his team. “I’m inspired by my late grandparents. Their humility, entrepreneurship skills, strength of character and faith in people shaped who I am today.” He also acknowledges the dedication of his employees. “I’m inspired daily by the incredible team at Avemel, who embody the spirit of hard work and commitment. Their drive reminds me that leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege.” Above all, Aven is deeply grateful to his wife, children and family for their unwavering support. “They are my strength and the reason I strive every day. My driving force in life is to build a legacy that my family can be proud of, one defined by integrity, impact and a commitment to uplifting others.” SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION Looking to the future, Aven has a clear vision for the Avemel Group and for business in KwaZulu-Natal. “My vision is for Avemel to become the nation’s leading logistics provider, offering a service that covers the full spectrum of the supply chain,” he says. “I want to achieve this by embracing technology and integrating innovation across our operations.” Aven envisages a thriving economy supported by a strong logistics and infrastructure sector. “I want to see the logistics and infrastructure sector in South Africa flourish. This will create opportunities, strengthen trade and empower communities.” Avemel Group is positioned to contribute significantly to this progress. “We aim to play a central role in that transformation through investment, job creation and infrastructure development.” Relationships and integrity remain central to Aven’s leadership approach. He refers to a belief passed down by his late grandfather: “We make money; money doesn’t make us.” He has built Avemel’s organisational culture around this principle. “We value our clients and relationships above profit. While sustainability is essential, we believe that if we uplift our clients, they will, in turn, uplift our business. Relationships are the foundation of everything.” Over two decades, Aven Naidu has shaped the Avemel Group into a symbol of sustainable impact and purposeful growth. His journey demonstrates resilience, vision and humility. It reflects his belief that leadership is an act of service and an investment in people. His legacy is one of opportunity, empowerment and enduring commitment to transformative business and community development.

Maharaj reflected, "Going back to our African roots, it is perhaps opportune that we begin to explore the concept and possibilities of the collaborative economy or sometimes called the sharing economy. We cannot continue to condone an environment where we have islands of prosperity in a sea of poverty, unemployment and inequality." Subscribe Home KZN Leaders Up Up Prasheen Maharaj Maharaj reflected, "Going back to our African roots, it is perhaps opportune that we begin to explore the concept and possibilities of the collaborative economy or sometimes called the sharing economy. We cannot continue to condone an environment where we have islands of prosperity in a sea of poverty, unemployment and inequality." Contributing to the greater good of society PRASHEEN MAHARAJ, CEO of the South African Shipyards, career is driven by the African philosophy of "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together". He added that this saying could not be more relevant today than in South Africa. "When I was in business school, I met the Father of Black Economic Empowerment, Dr Don Mkhwanazi, who then shaped my life from a business, political and personal perspective. Ndonga left me with the task of applying knowledge, networking and entrepreneurship skills to address the issues of inequality, poverty and unemployment. As a result, I sit as a council member of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a member of the board of directors of EThekwini Maritime Cluster and a member of the shipbuilding committee of the Aerospace Marine Defence Industry Body. Through these platforms our task is to fast track the transformation that this country so desperately requires." Another early influencer was investor and financial journalist, Richard Cluver, whose articles and books he read religiously from the age of 11. In his teenage years and young adult life his uncle, Vishnu Sharma, a property mogul, taught him about entrepreneurship and business moral ethics. "I also learnt to be a principled business leader. The Prasheen you meet today will be the same Prasheen you will meet next month. I have a moral code or a set of guiding principles by which I make leadership decisions, which leads to consistency in decision making - leading to less volatility and thus more trust with stakeholders." "Shipbuilding and ship repair are by their nature social enterprises. It's very labour intensive and supports a large supply chain made up primarily of SMMEs. As a conscious capitalist and a socialist at heart, this is the main appeal of the marine engineering industry. The ability to run a business for profit whilst contributing to the greater good of society is a common theme in my business and personal endeavours." Maharaj reflected, "Going back to our African roots, it is perhaps opportune that we begin to explore the concept and possibilities of the collaborative economy or sometimes called the sharing economy. We cannot continue to condone an environment where we have islands of prosperity in a sea of poverty, unemployment and inequality." Co-operation and collaboration must be driven by technology. Therefore, SAS is slowly evolving into a technology organisation, thus creating a space for Black owned SMMEs to participate in the more labour intensive parts of the shipbuilding and ship repair value chain. Marine engineering in South Africa needs to enter the 4th Industrial Revolution. Maharaj says that he is a great fan of long-term financial sustainability versus short term profit maximisation. This outlook has been influenced by great investors like Warren Buffet and Allan Gray. Creating long term predictable, consistent and solid growth is far more respected in the business environment than profits and performance that swing between the extremes. "What this means for shipbuilding and the ship repair is that we need to secure long-term order books for shipbuilding and enter into long term maintenance contracts with our ship repair clients. We also need to look at exporting our services as a technology organisation to the rest of the continent, thus creating a diversified revenue stream beyond manufacturing." This approach requires that the shipbuilding/ship repair industry become more customer centric, project performance orientated, and technology driven. A fundamental shift from the current mindset of the industry that is inward looking is required." Spending quality family time with my better half Marcina and my children Milahn and Mekhai is my escape from the realities of the harsh business environment we operate in. They are not only my pillars of strength but my moral compass by which I execute my day to day business functions.

MANHAR PARSHOTAM is the founder, a shareholder and a director of Dragon Protection Services Subscribe Home KZN Leaders Up Up Manhar Parshotam MANHAR PARSHOTAM is the founder, a shareholder and a director of Dragon Protection Services In the joy of others lies our own MANHAR PARSHOTAM is the founder, a shareholder and a director of Dragon Protection Services, which was established in 1996. He is adept at multitasking and takes responsibility for many aspects of the business’s functioning from operations to finance. Manhar grew up in Durban and attended Burnwood Secondary School in Sydenham. After he completed his schooling, Parshotam spent two years studying for a degree in engineering until he switched to a BCom degree. Parshotam reflected that his dream had been to become a pilot, but his parents had wanted him to study for a profession. During his university years, he was a voluntary policeman and subsequently served as a police reservist for 15 years. Manhar’s explains that his career in the security field ‘happened by accident’. In the 1990s he worked parttime in security during the South African Amnesty process, which boosted his interest in the field. In addition, he believes that this experience helped him gain a better understanding of general life skills, which a school education alone does not provide. Whilst working in security during a huge petrol strike, a chance encounter changed his life’s direction. A medical doctor approached him and gave him his business card, asking Manhar to give him a call as he had an opportunity for him. Manhar was requested to perform a security assessment of one of the doctor’s buildings. Following this assessment, he was offered the security contract for the building. Manhar explained, “Both sides were completely honest with each other. They were prepared to give me a chance and understood that I had no experience.” The doctor mentored and carried him financially for three months. “I did not have a bank account and I had never handled a cheque in my life. I had no cash to pay my staff. This was a huge learning curve,” explains Manhar. In his final year of BCom, Manhar had to make a choice to either complete his studies or go full time into business. “This decision was hard as there were more cons than pros and was based on the opportunity to train ex-soldiers in security so that they could be reintegrated back into society and obtain jobs.” After much deliberation Manhar left university and the business grew from there. “I had no office and had to work out of my car. I would use the Telkom telephone box at the local garage as my office line, even paying a garage attendant to answer the phone for me after hours. Once cell phones were introduced, life became a lot easier.” Apart from learning about financial management, the administration of 50 employees, as well as the need to meet the registration requirements of the security board, were early business challenges. Another challenge Manhar faced was his youth. “It was often difficult to convince people that I was capable of doing the job and I had to ‘do a lot’ to be given opportunities.” In addition, he said, “At that time there were few security specialists and the security profession was very much looked down upon in the society that I lived, which at times I found difficult to cope with.” Running a 24-hour business took its toll, as Manhar often went to bed late and had to cope with very little sleep. This continued for a few years until he was able to employ a manager to assist with the business operations. Some of the highlights of his career included seeing Fidel Castro and Muammar Gaddafi in person. A standout moment was watching Nelson Mandela arrive at the Durban ICC. “I got to see an icon – there was an aura about him which gave me goose bumps,” said Manhar. During 2001 Manhar was provided the opportunity by the South African Government to attend internationally recognised protection training courses in the United Kingdom and the United States. On his return to South Africa, he re-evaluated his career and entered the finance sector. However, after a three-year sabbatical he returned to the security business. Of his choice he explains, “This is my passion and keeps me happy.” Reflecting on his journey, Manhar commented, “There is only one word that I can use to describe my career – perseverance.” Manhar commented that the security business is a hard industry, which requires strong leadership. However, he says, “I never ask anyone to do anything that I cannot do myself. It is important to be fair and set rules and boundaries, which you must follow yourself to earn respect.” In his down time, Manhar enjoys competitive shooting as well as spending time with his family. “They help you relax, keep you calm and put a smile on my face.” He concluded, “Be happy, do what you love. If you love what you are doing, then every day is a holiday.”

Colle has spent the last eleven years with Belgotex and was appointed as CEO of Belgotex in August 2018. He has a passion for the industry which motivates him daily and is committed to building the company's brand. Sustainability in all aspects of the business is central to the way Belgotex does business. Colle brings a unique perspective to the business Subscribe Home KZN Leaders Up Up Edward Colle Colle has spent the last eleven years with Belgotex and was appointed as CEO of Belgotex in August 2018. He has a passion for the industry which motivates him daily and is committed to building the company's brand. Sustainability in all aspects of the business is central to the way Belgotex does business. Colle brings a unique perspective to the business Through my eyes, there can't be black and white EDWARD COLLE, after completing his studies at Stellenbosch, Colle spent four years working in one of his mother's businesses before officially joining Belgotex. He views this time as vital to his professional development, and the broad foundation he gained in this smaller business has stood him in good stead in his career at Belgotex. Belgotex was founded in the 1950s and evolved into a multi-national corporate spanning five continents. Despite being brought up in the flooring industry and being the third generation in this family-owned business, Colle earned his stripes before being promoted to the executive team. Starting on the factory floor, he moved slowly through the business, taking learnings from each stage of his journey and getting to know the staff on a personal level. Colle has spent the last eleven years with Belgotex and was appointed as CEO of Belgotex in August 2018. He has a passion for the industry which motivates him daily and is committed to building the company's brand. Sustainability in all aspects of the business is central to the way Belgotex does business. Colle brings a unique perspective to the business. He is acutely aware of the value of multiple insights and diversity of opinion, and says this inclusive attitude allows him to have an objective view of the world. This embodies his philosophy that there is no black or white in life and that your experiences and exposure to life are going to inform your perspective. Colle has a progressive management style and strongly supports the concept of the win-win approach. He has a clear vision for the future of Belgotex and the company continually strives to develop the business and inspire their people to achieve the unimaginable. Colle credits his ability to empathise with others, and trying to understand other people's viewpoints, as a strength that he contributed to his success. He points out that challenging the status quo is not always plain sailing, but by doing so they create greater opportunities and a greater meaning in what they do. "When facing challenges," says Colle, "managing your frustrations and focusing on your objectives are essential." The "Belgotex Green Journey" was initiated well before he joined the company, and he is committed to taking it to the next level. He views the environmental sustainability of the business as best practice, and as a never-ending journey. "On a fundamental level, if we cannot look after our planet and the society that occupies it, we will have a very dysfunctional set of circumstances which will put immense pressure on business, as the environment will not be conducive to any form of growth." Belgotex believes wholeheartedly in a 'hand-up' rather than a 'hand-out' approach, and Colle is co-founder of the Belgotex Foundation which was established seven years ago. The Foundation's focus was initially focused on three key areas: wildlife conservation, early childhood development and economic upliftment through vocational training, but has recently morphed into something much bigger. "We're proud to be associated with initiatives that support the efforts of communities and individuals to improve their socio-economic circumstances," says Colle. "And we have the opportunity to make a significant difference in society through the scale we've created." On a personal level, Colle and his wife Sarah are embarking on a 90-hectare agricultural restoration project. Sarah is a chef by profession so has always had a passion for food. Their plan is to run a training facility for the community in which they live so that these skills can be transferred and create a restaurant and deli which serves all the local ingredients to its patrons. "I'm not sure that we will ever find the perfect balance in life between work, family and social," says Colle, "but we try to juggle these three balls as effectively as possible."

His early career, he says, was based on a lot of hard work and some luck. In addition, Jackson said that he was fortunate to work with some good people. Subscribe Home KZN Leaders Up Up Michael Jackson (Retired) His early career, he says, was based on a lot of hard work and some luck. In addition, Jackson said that he was fortunate to work with some good people. You must always remain humble and you must take nothing for granted MICHAEL JACKSON's strong adherence to the core values of integrity and client service, as well as a good sense of humour, have served him well in his professional career. He was appointed as managing partner of Durban law firm Cox Yeats in 2011. In January 1998, Jackson joined Cox Yeats as a candidate attorney. He commented that starting there was really tough. Jackson was articled to Graham Cox, who checked every document that he produced. Jackson said, "Graham Cox told me that I needed to learn the basics of writing and suggested that I read a book or two." This advice came as quite a shock especially after having studied at university for seven years. "This somewhat Victorian introduction to law and work taught me that in law you are never an expert. You must always remain humble and you must take nothing for granted," added Jackson. His early career, he says, was based on a lot of hard work and some luck. In addition, Jackson said that he was fortunate to work with some good people. "I was privileged to work closely with Graham Cox (who at that time was undoubtedly the best lawyer in Durban) and with Jeremy Yeats. In many respects they were complete opposites. Graham economic with words and decisive; Jeremy amiable, who pondered and weighed the various options in committee." A highlight of his career was making partner in 2000, after only one year out of articles. From the outset, Jackson said that he was exposed to large clients and important matters. A big opportunity arose when Jeremy Yeats fell ill, and Jackson took over the work that he handled for Richards Bay Minerals and Tongaat Hulett on land, the environment and minerals. It was through this exposure that he then specialised in natural resource law, which was something that he had not considered at university, where he had focused on tax, finance and corporate law. Jackson says that he is quite old fashioned in his approach to his career as he believes that "You should make a place work, if it is an environment that works". His 30 year employment history at Cox Yeats is in great contrast to the modern trend of job hopping, which is also a challenge for employee retention. Jackson says that it is important to have a culture that builds people from a young age and grows their careers so that they stay with the firm. However, this does require a reciprocal relationship of trust and organisational commitment. Leading a law firm and dealing with a range of diverse personalities requires much responsibility, especially with 28 partners making a total of 45 professionals. As such Jackson favours a participative management style and is as inclusive as possible in allowing everyone to air their voices to reach consensus. He commented that it has been very fulfilling to develop a team of professionals around him and work collectively, as opposed to individually. The Cox Yeats' way values independence and participation. However, he added, "We have found that focussing on our core values and measuring all decisions in reaction to these values has given us much relevance. Our model in recent years of living true to these values has been very successful." An important part of these values is offering outstanding client service and being quite bold. "We regard ourselves as the best KZN law firm and have an increasing amount of international reach, which in the future we would like to grow," concluded Jackson. Jackson is married to Helen who is also a lawyer and has two children. In his free time, he enjoys rowing three times a week on Durban Harbour, the office exercise class and hobbling around the neighbourhood. Apart from international travel, a favourite breakaway spot is a cottage on the Transkei wild coast, which has been in the family for nearly 80 years.

In his current role as Provincial Head of the KwaZulu-Natal province, Imraan is at the helm of the vibrant retail and business banking operations and is leading a dynamic and energetic team of executives and senior managers. Subscribe Home KZN Leaders Up Up Imraan Noorbhai In his current role as Provincial Head of the KwaZulu-Natal province, Imraan is at the helm of the vibrant retail and business banking operations and is leading a dynamic and energetic team of executives and senior managers. Over and above being a servant leader, leading by design is also a key success factor in being an effective leader of today IMRAAN NOORBHAI, Standard Bank Provincial Head KwaZulu-Natal says, "Standard Bank is an African-focused, client-centric, digitally enabled and integrated financial organisation. In line with our vision of being the leading financial services organisation in, for and across Africa delivering exceptional client experiences and superior value, we continue to work more closely with our clients to ensure that we can deliver fully integrated, full-service solutions that meet all their financial services needs." Imraan has a deep and diverse financial services background spanning over 20 years with Standard Bank across various roles, from sales and distribution to being Director of Finance for the Customer Channels division within Personal and Business Banking South Africa as well Head of Retail Banking for KwaZulu-Natal. In his current role as Provincial Head of the KwaZulu-Natal province, Imraan is at the helm of the vibrant retail and business banking operations and is leading a dynamic and energetic team of executives and senior managers. Whilst embracing a continuously evolving leadership style, Imraan is the first to admit that servant leadership is at the core of his leadership philosophy. Imraan says, "Over and above being a servant leader, leading by design is also a key success factor in being an effective leader of today. Leading by design involves creating frameworks for problem solving that enable your teams to explore the endless possibilities that exist within their DNA." A seasoned banker with a proven track record, Imraan's successful and highly impactful professional career has been deeply rooted in his accounting training and qualification acquired after completing articles with Desai Jadwat Inc. This success and contribution has been widely recognised through nominations for various prestigious leadership interventions with GIBS as well as learning experience immersions in New York, China, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Sweden and Berlin over many years to gain invaluable banking exposure. Imraan is passionate about entrepreneurship, empowerment and the digital revolution. He believes that the current digital revolution presents immeasurable opportunities to navigate the complex economic landscape to enable businesses to serve their clients better. Imraan continues to contribute actively in shaping the dialogue in industry through his membership in the KZN Growth Coalition, SAIPA, SAICA, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Minara Chamber of Commerce and and most recently as a Non-Executive Director on the Diners Club SA Board. "My vision is to leave a legacy at Standard Bank where I am remembered for my positive contribution to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where digitisation creates an enabling environment for our customers to transact seamlessly. More importantly for me is to leave the business in a better shape than I found it, to inspire leaders that follow to be motivated and have the entrepreneurial flair and innovation mindset. We must be courageous, embrace change, empower teams to make decisions and never stop seeking knowledge. My ultimate dream is to see the growth of the economy of KZN at a point where all can benefit from its rich resources and diverse cultures."

Asvat believes that his career is successful because of three things: integrity, passion and stepping out of his comfort zone. “To me, integrity is a mark of a man; without it one’s character is left undefined. In light of the changes in the profession, I am going to have to say that integrity holds true for me, as it should for every other profession, and is the most important aspect that I have learned. Subscribe Home KZN Leaders Up Up Naeem Asvat Asvat believes that his career is successful because of three things: integrity, passion and stepping out of his comfort zone. “To me, integrity is a mark of a man; without it one’s character is left undefined. In light of the changes in the profession, I am going to have to say that integrity holds true for me, as it should for every other profession, and is the most important aspect that I have learned. Hard work and perseverance will bring you success NAEEM ASVAT CA(SA) joined SAICA in 2007 as the regional executive for SAICA Eastern Region, based in Durban. He is responsible for all SAICA's activities in the region, which comprises primarily KwaZulu-Natal. Prior to joining SAICA, he held the position as senior manager in the Accounting Advisory Services division at KPMG, where he worked for ten years, and trained and qualified as a chartered accountant. Asvat's experience includes external and internal audit, forensic investigations, tax compliance and tax consulting as well as various consulting assignments. His career has included a short-term assignment in KPMG's Manchester office in the external audit division, which comprised conversions from UK GAAP to US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). He has undertaken International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) conversions in South Africa and Namibia. During his career, he was appointed as a curators' agent of a transport business, which was seized by the Asset Forfeiture Unit (Scorpions) and was appointed as a chief financial officer for an associate of a listed cellular company. Asvat believes that his career is successful because of three things: integrity, passion and stepping out of his comfort zone. "To me, integrity is a mark of a man; without it one's character is left undefined. In light of the changes in the profession, I am going to have to say that integrity holds true for me, as it should for every other profession, and is the most important aspect that I have learned. Second, my passion, for without it, you cannot succeed. And third, I am willing to step out of my comfort zone in order to attain the unattainable." He added that he is absolutely dedicated and committed to the work that he does, has an immense passion for work and a great desire for making a difference to society within his sphere of influence. Asvat says that his inspiration comes from "savouring the sweetness of success of someone whom I have helped and inspired, be it a member, a stakeholder, a university student or a learner". During his professional journey and in the early stages of South African democracy, he, as with other previously disadvantaged individuals found climbing the corporate ladder a serious challenge, having to constantly prove oneself beyond reproach. He commented: "I thrive on challenges and making the impossible possible." However, having made his way to senior manager, Asvat was head hunted and joined SAICA. This was challenging in the sense that he was catapulted into a leadership position. He was the first non-white person to be appointed in the 99-year history of the Institute, which also had its own set of challenges. "Suddenly, I was thrust in front of 2 200 members, business and government stakeholders with whom I started engaging. We now have more than 4 400 members." In this regard Asvat says, "My personality profile has been somewhat defined as a catalyst and I am driven to achieve and persevere." Establishing the first independent SAICA office in KwaZulu-Natal, and helping to build the SAICA and the CA(SA) brand to be a premier recognised business designation, have been highlights of his career. In addition, Asvat has spearheaded a significant transformation project with the KZN Treasury and guided them to becoming a SAICA Accredited Training office. A major forthcoming project for him is to see SAICA playing a more significant role in shaping economic policies within KwaZulu-Natal. Asvat comes from a family of five siblings and is happily married and the father of three sons. He credits much of his success to his wife, Fatima, and his mother, who have played very supportive roles in his career. In his free time, he says: "I enjoy the adrenaline stuff - I have gone skydiving (jumping out of a plane at 12 000 feet) and did the highest commercial bungee jump in the world at the Blaukrans river." He concludes: "Regardless where you come from, hard work and perseverance will bring you success. I believe that if you knock at the door long enough the door is bound to open."

MARK TAYLOR believes that his career has been characterised by 'thinking big' and having the perseverance to ensure that his plans, which are often innovative, reach fruition Subscribe Home KZN Leaders Up Up Mark Taylor MARK TAYLOR believes that his career has been characterised by 'thinking big' and having the perseverance to ensure that his plans, which are often innovative, reach fruition Success is dependent on the team that you build around you MARK TAYLOR believes that his career has been characterised by 'thinking big' and having the perseverance to ensure that his plans, which are often innovative, reach fruition. He has spent the last 30 years in the property development industry; starting off small in the residential sector and then progressing to catalytic type developments like Simbithi Eco Estate in Ballito. The eLan Property Group was founded in 1997 and has become a leader in real estate marketing and sales, sales of hospitality investment projects and more recently has diversified into other investment opportunities. Zululand Tree Lodge in Hluhluwe, the first venture undertaken, was a R12 million development. Taylor's desire to innovate was apparent in the Riverside Hotel, which became a sectional title hotel. This was a first for South Africa and has been the country's most profitable sectional title hotel and a true eLan success story. Taylor commented, "The pioneering and innovative approach does not always pay off, staying ahead of the curve is not always clever, as one is constantly meeting new obstacles, which have not been dealt with before." His determination to 'make a difference by doing things differently' is very apparent in the Blythedale Coastal Estate. An important part of this project has been in obtaining community buy-in, which has well illustrated Taylor's perseverance. "This development has taken 19 years of planning and community negotiation to come to fruition and is now going from strength to strength and will be a great success story." Our success is based on not just selling off pieces of land but we have created a concept for family living. Blythedale Coastal Estate is the most forward-thinking development in South Africa. "The emphasis is on fibre connectivity, frictionless access, green technology solutions, and most importantly, it is a community-based development." Taylor added that creating jobs and promoting small businesses is in important in driving his projects. "We aim to contribute significantly to the local population groups." Taylor commented, "Success is dependent on the team that you build around you. Each individual is often better than you at what they do, and it is important to give them the responsibility and freedom as well as the authority to do what they do best." His current mission is to grow the eLan Property Group brand. He says, "Exciting things are happening. I intend to work smarter not harder and use the experiences that I have had to be more productive and proactive." He added that the commencement of deals and putting everything together is something that he has continually enjoyed and that he is currently exploring opportunities for development in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Mauritius. Through the efforts of the eLan Group in exploring the potential overseas property investment market, and in particular the UK, South African Properties Overseas Marketing Association (SAPOMA) has become a reality. SAPOMA is administered and coordinated by eLan Marketing, and through its overseas division, eLan International, the Association will represent those developers and allied professional organisations who have the vision and urge to become part of the world global trading scene. Taylor says that his family have been crucial to him throughout his career and provide him a lot of support. This support has allowed him to continue in his various endeavours, while often facing stress and dealing with the challenges that accompany property development projects. "If you persevere through all the issues, you will be successful." Although works takes a lot of his time, he does try to include time for travel with his family and opportunities where he can relax by spending time skiing or fishing.

Michael says he got involved in Afro's Chicken Shop by default. "Afro's was a tenant of mine in one of the buildings that I owned. I loved the brand and enjoyed what it stood for - simple food that was fresh, tasty, healthy and affordable." He added that he had always had an interest in food and ran a restaurant for three years in the 1980s. Subscribe Home KZN Leaders Up Up Michael Harris Michael says he got involved in Afro's Chicken Shop by default. "Afro's was a tenant of mine in one of the buildings that I owned. I loved the brand and enjoyed what it stood for - simple food that was fresh, tasty, healthy and affordable." He added that he had always had an interest in food and ran a restaurant for three years in the 1980s. There is an answer to everything and a solution to every problem MICHAEL HARRIS grew up in Amanzimtoti and as he did not come from a wealthy background started working from an early age. His first job was at a local grocery store where he earned 10 cents an hour over weekends. He saved much of these earnings in order to buy a camera. He then became his school photographer and earned money selling photographs. Michael's entrepreneurial spirit continued during school holidays when he and his friends would spend hours in the sea diving for coins that had dropped from the pockets of holiday makers. Collecting and returning glass bottles for deposits was an additional source of earnings. Following his school years, Michael studied parttime to become an accountant. On completion he qualified as a chartered accountant. Immediately following this qualification, he went into the property industry. He explains, "My love of property and building has remained a constant. Whether building a house, or a business, they all have the same meaning." Michael says he got involved in Afro's Chicken Shop by default. "Afro's was a tenant of mine in one of the buildings that I owned. I loved the brand and enjoyed what it stood for - simple food that was fresh, tasty, healthy and affordable." He added that he had always had an interest in food and ran a restaurant for three years in the 1980s. An opportunity arose to invest in the business when the owner required both financial and managerial assistance. He decided to invest in Afro's to further his passion for building things up and unsurprisingly the business has grown a lot since then. "I was semi-retired but decided that there was only so much fishing and travelling one can do. I felt I wanted to carry on, build something and keep pushing." Michael describes his role as being like a bus driver. "I have a capable young team of guys and girls and I provide input in terms of experience. Afro's is a young person's brand, that includes the management team as well as all the shop keepers - they all do a great job. I have a lot of fun working with young people, they inspire me, and they are the reason that I get up in the morning." Reflecting on what business principles guide him, he says that he has read a lot of autobiographies and is motivated by them. "However, when you are at the coal face, you have to make decisions based on your gut feeling. You have to do your own thing. No amount of business gurus can assist much in your situation. There is an answer to everything and a solution to every problem. You have just got to find it and you have to adapt." Michael believes that his success has been driven by perseverance - by never giving up and through a rigid work ethic. "Things don't happen overnight; hard work and passion is required. Planning and execution are the only way that you will succeed." He added, "I have learnt that honesty is really important in any business - you have to be honest with yourself, with employees, with everybody, and ensure that you conduct yourself morally all the time." His advice for anyone starting a business is that it's important not to have any delusions of grandeur. "There is a lot of hard work - identify a career and have a passion for what you are doing - think about what you are doing. Its 90% hard work and 10% enjoyment." When not growing Afro's sites around the country, Michael's passion is fishing. "I enjoy any form of fishing - deep sea, hunting down tiger fish or elusive trout. I try and get away to fish as much as possible and I read autobiographies.

An international media production company based in Durban, South Africa, with a branch in Norwich, UK . He’s also the founder of Wade Howard Photography and, since 2010, has led Ocean Driven Media—specializing in professional photography, videography, video production, and live streaming for corporate events, documentaries, weddings, and conferences Subscribe Home KZN Leaders Up Up Wade Howard An international media production company based in Durban, South Africa, with a branch in Norwich, UK . He’s also the founder of Wade Howard Photography and, since 2010, has led Ocean Driven Media—specializing in professional photography, videography, video production, and live streaming for corporate events, documentaries, weddings, and conferences