Billionaire Paul Harris’ message about South Africa

Paul Harris, one of South Africa’s most respected businessmen, said that despite the country’s serious problems, it is still a great place to live with immense opportunities.

Harris shared his views during a discussion with Jan Hugo, the host of The Relocated South African podcast.

The Relocated South African podcast delves into the experiences of South Africans who have relocated to other countries.

However, with the Harris interview, Hugo focused on the positives of the country and why many people choose to stay rather than leave South Africa.

Harris is well-positioned to discuss this topic. He previously left South Africa but decided to return and make it his home.

He is also widely celebrated as one of South Africa’s great entrepreneurs, behind some of the country’s most successful businesses.

He co-founded Rand Consolidated Investments in 1977, which acquired control of Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) in 1985. In 1992, he became its chief executive officer.

He was appointed CEO of FirstRand Bank Holdings in 1999, a position he held until December 2005, when he was appointed chief executive of FirstRand.

While at RMB, he oversaw the development of several private game reserves, including Ingwelala, Mabula, Welgevonden, and Thorny Bush.

He was a founder shareholder of the safari company Great Plains, with lodges in Botswana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.

He served on the board of Cricket South Africa and is on the board of the Sunshine Tour, the most prominent golf tour in Africa.

He is also the largest shareholder in Rain, one of South Africa’s largest broadband and 5G providers.

His other business interests include the award-winning luxury boutique hotel Ellerman House and Everard Read Gallery.

Paul Harris’ message about South Africa

Harris said South Africa has faced numerous challenges over the last 200 years, including the Boer War, the World Wars, Apartheid, and the transition to democracy.

Despite all these difficult times, the country survived. He added that South Africa faced much bigger challenges in the past than it does now.

He admitted that many wealthy South Africans live in their bubbles, adding that he does not feel any guilt about it.

“We pay our taxes, we make a contribution to South Africa, and we are involved in philanthropic endeavours,” he said.

 “We love this country, and we live in the greatest country in the world,” Harris told The Relocated South African podcast.

Harris expects South Africa to continue underperforming. However, that does not stop people from enjoying their life in the country, which offers enormous opportunities.

One of the things which South Africa offers is the ability to make a difference in the lives of thousands of people.

He gave the example of his daughter, who runs a non-governmental organisation that helps young children learn to read.

“She helps 220,000 kids to read. Her network includes 20,000 computers in schools across South Africa, and employs 800 people,” he said.

He said experiencing the excitement of the kids in the townships working on the computers leaves everyone with a tear in their eyes.

“South Africa offers you the opportunity to contribute. It is off a very low base, which means a small thing can make a difference,” he said.

“There is nothing that can replace that for me. An environment where you can make a huge difference.”

He said many South Africans sit around and complain about the country and its problems. “Forget about that. Get on with it and go and do something,” he said.

“I am not saying for one moment that there are not massive frustrations. However, that is part of the path to achieve something.”

South Africans are resourceful

Harris said that South Africans with the means have resolved most of the problems associated with living in the country.

This includes private security to protect against crime, private education, and private healthcare to bypass poor state hospitals.

“Although these things are perceived to be under threat, they have always been under threat. I remember talking about it when I was young,” he said.

“When you stop complaining, put your head down, and do something about it, it is very fulfilling and valuable.”

Harris said they are involved in many businesses which do exceptional things. “You cannot believe the quality of these businesses,” he said.

Despite South Africa’s challenges, many people who have worked overseas have returned. This includes Harris’s son and daughter.

“Around half of the couples they are friends with worked overseas but have returned to South Africa. They are here out of choice,” he said.

He advised people to avoid obsessing about emigrating and instead make the most of their lives in South Africa. However, that does not mean working overseas is not advised.

“Going out and getting a more worldly view is important and fantastic. Your people who want to work overseas, go for it,” he said.

“However, if you are leaving South Africa for good because you do not think there is a future here, you should think again.”