Esihleliyo sidl’ukuhlala kwaso; esiphilayo sesithwethwayo
(The
one that sits will eat nothing; the one that lives is the one that moves)
Earlier this month, the Sekunjalo
Consortium received final confirmation that their intent to acquire Independent
News SA from its Irish owners was approved by the competition authorities. It
is a significant transaction that will have an impact on an industry that has
historically been dominated by a minority. It is also indicative of further
progress to transform the South African economy from the white domination that
is the legacy of apartheid.
For me, however, the biggest
lesson from this transaction was the determination and perseverance of this
consortium, led by Dr Iqbal Survé. This was in the face of opposition to it by
historically dominant voices in the mass media.
The editor of the country’s
biggest business newspaper spared no efforts in criticising this attempt by the
historically disadvantaged to buy the largest newspaper group in the country. A
former newspaper editor and now university professor wrote a column that was so
personally insulting to Dr Survé he had to write a subsequent apology. This
former editor wrote the column in his blog as well as an op-ed on the business
newspaper I refer to. The owners of both the newspapers played their part in
either objecting to this deal or seeking to negotiate with Sekunjalo in private
to buy some of the newspaper titles from them. The forum of editors weighed in
and took the side of established media owners. It was sickening to watch.
Throughout this process I can
imagine that Dr Survé and his partners could have thought that it was not worth
it. They could have given up because the attacks on them had become very
personal, questioning their integrity, intellect and business acumen. They
could have whittled under the undisguised undertones of racism that permeated
throughout the commentary. And they would have felt that it was better to compromise
with those seeking to reverse their victory, by agreeing to sell some of the
newspapers to the competitors who were attacking them. It would have been more
comfortable and also they would have less criticism to deal with.Dr Survé and team never took their eye off the ball. They never forgot what their objective was when they decided to buy this newspaper group. They knew that in order to succeed in business and life, it is not always the case that you must seek popularity. They just decided to go ahead and follow their dream, and use all resources they could muster to succeed in this objective. In doing so, they have inspired so many others, especially in my country, who want to achieve against all odds.
Their courage, determination, business acumen, intellect, humility and sense of responsibility have been beautiful to watch. Their sense of integrity compared to those who sought to bring them down has been encouraging. And the fruits of their efforts are inspirational.
Ekunyamezeleni kukho umvuzo
(There are fruits
from perseverance)
