Johann Rupert and so-called “white monopoly capital”

Minutes of our Country – Media Watch – 31.07.2019

Johann Rupert and so-called “white monopoly capital”

I just don’t know enough about this and of course all I can read is the daily minutes of our country in the media to understand where we are at in this matter, so here’s what I think:

First off, thank you to all those who drive business in South Africa, the custodians who support our country. The one thing I have learned through tough personal lessons is that everything has a price and a number attached to it with very little that is free, like a smile for instance. Sadly, smiling has almost nothing to do with changing a country… money does (in the right hands), but of course the two are linked.

When I look at Project Mustard Seed for instance, I cannot believe how R100k per month drives the results it does on a day-to-day basis. It is the best personal financial investment I have, powered by all those who support our team efforts. This can be compared to a smile, but the difference is that it is quantified in numbers which essentially represent an energy input.

PROJECT MUSTARD SEED
https://trackbox.world/project-mustard-seed/

• A quick calculation: 10 March 2016 (launch date) to 31 July 2019 = 1238 days.
• R330,000,000 / 1238 = R266,559 worth of recovered goods per day.
• 1721 Priority 1 Arrests / 1238 = 1.4 arrests per day.
• A bottom line cost of R3225 per day – and I wish we could do more.

The future of any country lies with the strength of its economy. The taxpaying public and large businesses provide the backbone to fund the upkeep of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, parks, dams and public services.

One such taxpayer who has a long record of contribution to the South African economy is Johann Rupert, son of Anton Rupert (founder of the Rembrandt Group, later Remgro/Richemont). Some of the diverse business ventures the Rupert family have been involved in over a period of seven decades are tobacco, wine, luxury goods, golf courses, sports science, hospitals and wildlife conservation.

The Ruperts have been regarded as political ‘moderates’ and Rupert senior was named as a candidate who opposed the policies of then Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd, and regarding race relations in South Africa said, “If your neighbour does not eat, you will not sleep,” thereby proposing economic opportunities for all South Africans and indicating his opposition to Apartheid policies.

The rules of life and business mean there will be successes, failures and, with hindsight, errors made by Mr Rupert and his team, but at the end of each day I think it safe to say that the people of South Africa are better off because of this man. So right out of the gate, THANK YOU to all the top-level businessmen and women who make our lives better, daily! However, despite all his success, Mr Rupert has suggested that leaving South Africa may be something he will have to consider due to the negative perception he and his family are receiving. Accusations of being part of “white monopoly capital” and the “Stellenbosch mafia” have been levelled against him, particularly from political quarters.

The irony is thick when it comes to such criticism of successful individuals and the companies they have built, often at great personal risk.So, I say: My Rupert please keep investing, and continue to help us. I am really sorry to read how our rainbow dream is being stolen, stamped on and destroyed after so much distance has been covered by so many. My wish for our country and people like you is for a public plea to the national leadership to unite and get back on track with business leaders.

It’s a simple model set by Nelson Mandela and that of Francois Pienaar after South Africa won the 1995 Rugby World Cup: “When the whistle blew, South Africa changed forever.”

Let’s get back in the game!

Brian Jones (SA7)
Brian’s Passionate Desk
Brian@BriansPD.World
http://bpd.trackbox.world
/https://t.me/BriansPD

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