A PASSION FOR DEVELOPMENT
 
Don Mkhwanazi recently received an Honorary Doctor of Technology degree in Management Sciences from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of Black Economic Empowerment in South Africa, his prominent role in local and international entrepreneurship as well as his significant commitment to youth and social development.
 
This award is the latest of a string of recognitions acknowledging his remarkable contribution to development in South Africa.  Notably, the eThekwini Municipality’s Living Legends Award  was presented “for a selfless, unparalleled contribution to society in general and business in particular.”
 
Mkhwanazi is a founding member of the Black Management Forum (BMF) and has long been considered the father of  broad based black economic empowerment. However, his views of the need for a fully inclusive society were expressed in his acceptance speech at the DUT Graduation Ceremony. He said, “For South Africa to realise her full potential an economic revolution must take place. Economic revolution means fundamental change in economic power relations. It means the redefinition of economic power relations between the haves and the  have- nots. It means  your race, religion, status, where you were born must not determine your ultimate station in life. It means equal and equitable chance of success in any endeavour of your choice in life. Economic function, nor success must not correspond to trace. It means fundamental deracialisation of the economy. Simply put it does not mean rearranging of chairs in the Titanic ship, but rebuilding of the ship (SA Economy).
 
Over the years, Mkhwanazi has served as a non-executive member of various listed (Illovo Sugar, Mercedes Information Technology, UNIDATA, Anglo Alpha, amongst others) and non-listed companies. He was also a Director of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Transnet, as well as Chairman of the Central Energy Fund, Strategic Fuel Fund, SOEKOR and MOSSGAS. He is currently the Chairman of Southern African Shipyards, the largest shipbuilder in southern Africa and earlier this year leading consulting engineering firm, GIBB appointed  Mkhwanazi as Chairman of the GIBB Holdings board.
 
Richard Vries, Group CEO of GIBB,  commented that “Don’s invaluable experience on the continent and business in general is well documented. We believe that Don will provide us with in-depth insight into the challenges on the continent and the local business environment to help inform our strategies going forward.”
 
As the Chairman of Southern African Shipyards, the maritime sector in Africa  is one that is close to his heart. He said, iIt is clear that shipping is an enabler of trade and the future of Africa lies in the ability to trade more effectively and efficiently with the rest of the world.
 
Mkhwanazi  is passionate about criticality of entrepreneurship for South Africa’s economic growth strategy. He believes entrepreneurship is a necessary risk that our people must be prepared to take, because it creates jobs and therefore reduces the poverty which breeds crime.
 
In his concluding comments Mkhwanazi said “Each one of us has a critical role to play in advancing the cause of economic revolution. Each one of us has a crucial role in creating a better future for all. The future belongs to those who shape it. The future belongs to those who define it. Our future is in our hands,”
 

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