Billionaire Rob Hersov’s message to young people who want to leave South Africa

Billionaire Rob Hersov said that if young South Africans get the opportunity to go overseas, they should take it to build their skills and make money.

He shared his views on people leaving South Africa during a discussion with Jan Hugo on The Relocated South African podcast.

Hersov was born into one of South Africa’s prominent mining families. His grandfather co-founded Anglovaal in 1933.

It was notable as one of the first major South African mining houses and gave birth to Anglovaal Industries (AVI) and Anglovaal Minerals (Avmin).

He attended The Ridge Primary School and Michaelhouse before studying Business Science at the University of Cape Town.

He then completed his two years of military service, which he said he did proudly in return for what South Africa has given his family.

Hersov left South Africa in 1985, started his career at Goldman Sachs on Wall Street, and then served as Rupert Murdoch’s right-hand man at News Corp.

He then led Morgan Stanley’s media investment banking team in Europe and joined Richemont’s main board under Johann Rupert.

When offered the chance to return and take over Anglovaal in the early 1990s, he opted to stay in New York and build his international career.

He later moved to Europe and served as Chief Executive Officer of Telepiù, an Italian pay-television network, during the 1990s.

Hersov then started his entrepreneurial ventures, which include founding a digital sports media company in 1999.

He co-founded Marquis Jet Europe in 2002, which commercialised fractional private jet card ownership across Europe.

The business was later acquired by NetJets, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, where Hersov served as Vice Chairman of NetJets Europe.

He also founded Invest Africa in London to connect global investors with commercial opportunities across Africa.

Rob Hersov returns to South Africa and his advice for your people

After spending 31 years abroad, Hersov returned to South Africa. He said that he loves the country, and that Cape Town is the best place to live in the world.

After his return, Hersov became known as a political activist advocating for the ANC’s removal from government and business-friendly policies.

Although he can live anywhere in the world, Hersov said that South Africa is so special that it is worth fighting for.

However, that does not mean he advocates that people stay in South Africa at all costs. Instead, he advises young people who get the opportunity to spend time overseas.

“If you have the ability to spend some time of your life overseas and get training, make money, and build a network of extraordinary people, you need to go,” he said.

“Getting that experience overseas makes you a more valuable, connected, and competent person. I encourage it.”

“Then come back when you see South Africa turning, which could be relatively soon. Come back and make a difference.”

He said that many other people say that it isn’t patriotic for young people to leave South Africa. However, Hersov disagrees.

“If you have that opportunity, take it, because you will return to South Africa as a more valuable person able to contribute more.”

Although he advised young people to spend time overseas if they get a chance, he warned that living abroad is often over-romanticised by South Africans.

He said that all countries have downsides, including the US, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand.

He added that South Africa, despite its problems, is a great place to live, which is why many people living overseas are returning because they miss home.