At 90, the journey’s just beginning for Solly

HOWARD SACKSTEIN

In an array of glittering functions held over the past few weeks, Solly Krok celebrated his 90th birthday. He devoted numerous birthday speeches to his growing fear about the rise of anti-Semitism around the world, and his deep concern for the future of South African Jewry. At 90, the man is energetic, and is planning to live to “100 years plus VAT”.

As youngsters, with Solly as accountant and Abe as pharmacist, the twins ventured into the world of business. Their first success was the creation of a skincare beauty range for the African community. The products became the largest cosmetic range sold in South Africa at the time, although the “complexion lightening creams” lead to much controversy.

The range was originally sold by African hawkers, who used a certificate issued by Twins Pharmaceuticals to bypass the restrictions of the dompas (pass book) and travel freely around the country selling the cosmetic products. Later the twins would sign lease agreements in their own names, acting as a front to allow Indian and black entrepreneurs to own their own operations in racially restricted areas. Twins was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in 1968.

Together with legendary South African industrialist Jonathan Beare, the Kroks secured control of SA Druggists (SAD), and later engineered the purchase of SAD by Aspen Pharmaceuticals.

Along the way, they bought the 3.26 hectare Summer Place, the former home of flamboyant fugitive oil and arms dealer Marino Chiavelli, and turned it into one of Johannesburg’s most sought after function venues. Added to the list of Krok entertainment venues were Gold Reef City and the Wild Waters aqua park in Boksburg.

Although it started as a business venture to secure the rights for a casino near Soweto, the Krok group offered to build South Africa’s only Apartheid Museum at Gold Reef City. At a cost of more than R100 million, Solly oversaw the detailed construction of the museum.

The Gold Reef City Casino next to the museum was listed on the JSE, and became yet another feather in the Krok empire.

Gambling was in the Krok blood, and the twins started Millionex, a fundraising lottery where winners took 50% of the proceeds and charities benefitted from the remaining half.

Although technically illegal, the authorities turned a blind eye to this charity fundraising endeavour. The Millionex programme ended only when the legal Lotto was started in South Africa.

Solly and Abe also started the charity initiative Mock Wedding, a satirical musical parody show starring some of the largest business luminaries in the country. Solly played the role of groom and his identical twin Abe played his alter-ego. Directed and choreographed by the famous theatrical team of Louis Berk and Joan Brickhill, the show ran to packed audiences in Johannesburg and Cape Town, raising significant funds for community organisations.

The philanthropic actions of the twins knew no limit. Abe and Solly funded Jewish schools and educational institutions, often with seven-figure donations. Today, there are buildings bearing the twin’s names at Bar-Ilan University and the Beer Yaakov Seminary for Sephardi girls in Ramla near the airport in Israel. Solly also funded a nursery school in Jerusalem in honour of his late wife Rita.

Solly met the Lubavitcher Rebbe on three occasions. His message to Solly was, “Help the Yidden in Doren Afrika”. And so, whether it was kickstarting Aish Hatorah in South Africa or restructuring Ohr Samayach, or running the Jewish Guild, or saving the famous Chassid school in Boro Park, New York from closing, or funding the first weekday daily Art Scroll siddur, the name of Solly Krok keeps on popping up as an icon of the Jewish community.

The Krok legacy extends well beyond the Jewish community. Solly quotes the old Yiddish expression, Vos du tust var yenem tust du var sich alien (What you do for others, you do for yourself). The twins built an entire school in Soweto.

In 90 years, Solly has experienced many ups and the occasional down. “The biggest lessons in life come from over-confidence,” he says. “What swimmer drowns in the sea? Not the weak swimmer. The strong swimmer. He goes too far out.” The Epilady debacle in the United States is one such example brought on by over-confidence. Says Solly, “My father used to say to me, ‘Don’t jump out of your picture frame’ – stick to things you know, and don’t think you can do everything.”

At 90, Solly says his mission is not over. “You’ve got to teach by example,” he says. “We need to explain to the world that Jewish innovation has contributed to make the world a better place for humankind.”