Absa Jewish Achiever Awards 2024
This is Lebo J, aged 19. He shops twice a month, usually at weekends. He arrives at our mall in the mid-afternoon when it’s really buzzing. Many of his friends are there too. On average, after 2.3 hours of shopping and browsing, Lebo leaves from the east wing and takes a taxi home to his family, a drive of around 40 minutes. Lebo’s mother will ask him about the discounts and special offers he spotted as he ambled around both floors of the centre. This helps her to plan her weekly grocery shop, which she does before lunch on Mondays. We know all this and more about Lebo J and our other visitors too. Our multi-faceted consumer behaviour research, combined with our deep understanding of the needs and desires of the communities we serve, leads us every step of the way. Our unique focus on a superior customer experience ultimately benefits all our key stakeholders: customers, tenants and investors. As a Vukile stakeholder, you too will benefit from our extensive analysis of shopper behaviour and the factors that drive continuously evolving retail trends. There has never been a better time to invest in people like Lebo J. BUILDING COMMUNITIES, GROWING VALUE. OUR 220 MILLION SHOPPER VISITS A YEAR CREATE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND SUPERIOR VALUE.
1 Long Avenue, Glenhazel | 011 440 9517 | www.kosherworld.co.za KOSHERWORLD PRODUCTS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING CHECKERS STORES - Barlow Park, Blubird Birnam, The Neighbourhood Linksfield, 90˚ On Rivonia, LXX Sandhurst, The Point Mall Sea Point & Plettenberg Bay Mazaltov to all the Nominees & Winners KosherWorld, MORE than a Supermarket, the heart of the community. 011 786 1063 Pharmacy Where the pharmacist knows your name 087 803 4000 061 433 0212 KOSHER DELICATESSEN• FALAFEL & SMOOTHIE BAR chabad bookshop 011 440 5224 011 4408591 079 224 3423 082 086 9631 079 616 0905 011 440 9517 Pa r t y c J ‘s 082 0847794 עמ ישראל חי Contents Chairperson’s message.................................................page 2 Title sponsor’s message.................................................page 2 Sponsors’ messages...................................................page 4-5 Judges.......................................................................page 6-7 n The Bertie Lubner Humanitarian Award ...........page 8 n Mann Made Community Service Award..........page 10 n Kirsh Family Lifetime Achievement Award.....page 12 n Arts, Sport, Science, and Culture Award..........page 14 n Special and Extraordinary Award.....................page 16 n Absa Business Icon Award.................................page 28 n Absa Business Leadership Award Ely Aluf.......................................................................page 19 Alan Browde................................................................page 18 Tanya Cohen................................................................page 31 Alan Fainman..............................................................page 20 Dion Friedland............................................................page 28 Norman Kretzmer and Raphael Segal..........................page 18 Dr Jedd Myers.............................................................page 40 Nadav Ossendryver.....................................................page 18 Seymour Talpert..........................................................page 19 n Absa Professional Excellence Award Ely Aluf.......................................................................page 19 Michael Bagraim.........................................................page 22 Carin Berman..............................................................page 22 Prof David Bilchitz.......................................................page 23 Glynnis Breytenbach...................................................page 36 Dr Paul Davis...............................................................page 23 Dr Steven Firer............................................................page 22 Ze-ev Krein..................................................................page 24 Tony Leon....................................................................page 27 Brett Morris.................................................................page 24 Ilan Ossendryver.........................................................page 24 Max Price....................................................................page 25 Margaret Rawicz..........................................................page 25 Prof Benjamin Rosman................................................page 26 Daniel Schay...............................................................page 26 Steve Sherman............................................................page 26 n Europcar Women in Leadership Award Susan Abro..................................................................page 30 Viv Anstey...................................................................page 30 Romy Becker...............................................................page 30 Glynnis Breytenbach...................................................page 36 Nicki Brivik..................................................................page 31 Tracey Catania.............................................................page 31 Tanya Cohen................................................................page 31 Lesley Cowan..............................................................page 32 Yakima Dengler-Waner................................................page 34 Mandy Edison.............................................................page 32 Reeva Forman.............................................................page 32 Hayley Gillman...........................................................page 33 Bendeta Gordon..........................................................page 32 Chantal Kur.................................................................page 34 Racheli Marks..............................................................page 39 Margaret Rawicz..........................................................page 25 Stephanie Weil............................................................page 34 n The Eric Ellerine Entrepreneur Award Clyde Ackerman and Rael Lasarow...............................page 37 Romy Becker...............................................................page 30 Ryan Chaitowitz..........................................................page 37 Charles Freedman.......................................................page 37 Dion Friedland............................................................page 28 Nicholas Ingel.............................................................page 38 David Jacobson...........................................................page 38 Joshua Kadish, Jordan Hertz, and Marom Mishan.......page 42 Justin Kramer.............................................................page 38 Josh Lasker.................................................................page 39 Shevi Lurie..................................................................page 39 Racheli Marks..............................................................page 39 Terri Maselle...............................................................page 40 Dr Jedd Myers.............................................................page 40 Trent Saldsman...........................................................page 40 Ross Silbert.................................................................page 41 Joshua Weinberg........................................................page 52 Ilan Wiesenbacher......................................................page 41 Yanky Woolf................................................................page 41 n Ichikowitz Family Foundation Rising Star Award Jade Copans...............................................................page 44 Gina Dave...................................................................page 44 Erin Dodo....................................................................page 44 Liat Feldman...............................................................page 46 Gilad Janet..................................................................page 46 Jay Kaplan..................................................................page 46 Aaron Levenberg.........................................................page 47 Tannah Levick..............................................................page 47 Caleb and Judah Levitan.............................................page 47 Racheli Marks..............................................................page 39 Elan Novick.................................................................page 48 Gabrielle Onay............................................................page 48 Joshua Pimstein..........................................................page 48 Hannah Rudnicki........................................................page 49 Rachel Smith...............................................................page 49 Ben Stein....................................................................page 49 Eitan Steinberg...........................................................page 50 Zach Tobias..................................................................page 50 Joshua Weinberg........................................................page 52 Adam Zimmerman......................................................page 50 The Absa Jewish Achiever Awards 2024 Editor: Peta Krost n Sub-editor: Julie Leibowitz n Editorial co-ordinator: Dylan Berger n Writers: Peta Krost, Saul Kamionsky, Gillian Klawansky, Lee Tankle, and Steven Gruzd n Proofreader: Kim Hatchuel n Artwork concept and design: Delainé Shalem n Publication design: Bryan Maron Photographer: Ilan Ossendryver n Advertising: Britt Landsman and Laura Kaufman The information in these profiles has been supplied by the people nominated, and has not been independently verified
chairman’s message and ABSA message page 2 It’s difficult to believe that we’re entering the last stretch of 2024. As we reflect on the past few months, we’re encouraged by the green shoots visible in our economy and business environment, and the positive sentiment that has emerged in the wake of the national elections. While there remains a lot of work ahead, the long-term impact of continuous gradual and collaborative progress should not be underestimated. Behind every success story, there are often insightful anecdotes, highlighting that success is rarely a linear achievement. This is also the case for the nominees of the 25th Absa Jewish Achiever Awards. Woven through each of these stories is a golden thread – one of dedication, ingenuity, and perseverance, and an ability to rise above new challenges. As we celebrate the nominees’ achievements and recognise the contributions they’ve made across the arts, business, humanities, and community landscape, we’re reminded of the power of collaboration, inclusivity, and commitment to lasting impact. To all the nominees, we congratulate you and celebrate your success! John Tshabalala Managing Executive: Private Banking Absa Relationship Banking SA’s backbone and proud of it Chairperson’s message The power of collaboration 2 Title sponsor’s message Last year, we gathered for the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards in the shadow of a looming war. Our wounds were wet, our grief was real. Over the past year, so much and so little has changed. It’s said that Jews don’t have history, we have memory. We commemorate and celebrate our past as if we ourselves were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt; as if we ourselves were the victims of the attempted genocide of Haman in Persia; as if we ourselves were banished to exile and our temple destroyed. Next month, we will light the candles of Chanukah as if we ourselves were liberated from colonial occupation and were rekindling the oil lamps in our temple 2 200 years ago. Our past is our present, our lives inextricably intertwined in a mosaic that blends our rich 3 000-year old history, our inspiring present, and our dreams for the future. Although we have been celebrating these Jewish Achiever Awards for the past 25 years, our community has nourished the dusty red soil of Africa for the past 125 years. Our hearts beat to the rhythm of the soul of Africa. In that time, we have built this country and dug deep into its earth. We have been its refugees, its labourers, its trade-union movement. We have fought in its wars, we rose in the streets in revolt against injustice, we built its stores, healed its sick, drafted its laws, and fed its poor. It’s with unabashed arrogance that I ask where this country would have been today if not for its Jewish community. A community that has woven itself into the very fabric of our nation’s identity. Today, we stand on the shoulders of the giants who came before us, unbridled by our nation’s dark history, and enormously proud of all we have done. We didn’t land on these shores as privileged colonialists; we arrived as penniless refugees fleeing pogroms and persecution. In an inhospitable land, in a troubled divided nation, the Jewish community took root and flourished. We travelled from town to town smousing goods; and we laboured on farms, in sweatshops sewing suits, and selling coal. We didn’t just build businesses, we built a society, a nation. Just as John Vorster and Hendrik Verwoerd protested our arrival in this country, so did the clubs of privilege deny us entry and proclaim, “No Jews; no dogs.” Barney Barnato, who donated the land to build the Rand Club, was denied membership to the very club who took his land as a gift. So we built our own, we sought not their approval, their status, or their largess. We didn’t seek their approval then, and we don’t seek it now. Our community has been a beacon of light in this country. So, at the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards, we celebrate not only our new winners but the remarkable South Africans we have recognised over the past 25 years. It is with unabashed arrogance that we ask the question, “Where would South Africa be without us?” Where would the mining community be without Barney Barnato, Ernest Oppenheimer, Lionel Phillips, Sir Mick Davis, Ivan Glasenberg, or Gary Nagle? Would we have a stock exchange or a manufacturing sector without Sammy Marks? Would we have supermarkets without Checkers, Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Clicks, Dis-Chem, KosherWorld, and OK Bazaars? Where would we shop without Mr Price, Foschini, Woolworths, Truworths, Ellerines, Core Group, or @Home? Would we have had shopping malls without Donny Gordon and Michael Rapp? Where would we insure without Liberty or Discovery, or holiday without Sol Kerzner and Arthur Gillis? Would we have internet without Dave Frankel and the Apteker brothers, or hospitals without Jackie Shevel and Richard Friedland? Where would the struggle against apartheid be without Joe Slovo and Ruth First, Arthur Goldreich and Harold Wolpe? Who would have stood up against apartheid if there was no Helen Suzman? These are some of many who risked everything so the nation could be free. Would we have a Constitution without Arthur Chaskalson and Albie Sachs, or even have written the Freedom Charter at Kliptown? Where would we eat without Nando’s, Spur, or McDonald’s? What would we drink without SAB Miller, and who would have given our people water to drink if not for Sivan Yaari? Who would have fed the poor if not for Operation Hunger and Ikamva Labantu, Afrika Tikkun, The Angel Network, and the Kirsh family? Where would South Africa be without the music of Johnny Clegg – “Le Zoulu Blanc”, the hysterical biting drag of Pieter-Dirk Uys, the drawings of William Kentridge, the cartoons of Dov Fedler, the writings of Nadine Gordimer, and the photography of David Goldblatt? We are the intel inside, the trailblazers, the visionaries, the engine behind this nation. Our lists are long, and your time is short, so forgive me for not listing the thousands – no tens of thousands – of Jews who have made this nation greater than its potential. We celebrate and recognise the building of this nation together with our partners. We do this each year together with our title sponsor, Absa, which is deeply committed to telling the inspiring stories of our nation. It banks our nation so that we can sleep at night; it funds our businesses so we can employ people and feed families; it is the epitome of a bank that builds a nation. Absa has been our partner in this holy mission for the past 23 years, finding the extraordinary and unique, and celebrating all that can be achieved in South Africa. I, too, wish to thank our other sponsors who are so deeply committed to the development of South Africa: the Kirsh family; the Ellerine family; the Lubner family; the Ichikowitz family; the Mann Made family; and Europcar, which is so determined to recognise women leaders and create role models for all of South Africa. Our teams of organisers: Dina Diamond, Jodi Kramer, Dori Weil, Britt Landsman, Peta Krost, Sandy Furman, Dylan Berger, Nkateko Mkasi, Makgale Mohuba, and Felicity Kantor complete a world beating team. Our five panels of judges, 35 in total, vet all contestants, and subject all winners to due-diligence. This contribution to the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards is immeasurable. A total of 825 people were nominated, and we have 11 winners. Over the past 13 months, we have witnessed the rise of bigoted Jew hatred in this country. Yet we are resilient, we will not slumber nor sleep, we are the moral conscience of our nation. It is us who built this country, and it is us that will continue to employ our nation and educate our youth. We are the ripples of hope in a river of debris. Our job is to turn those ripples into a tsunami of love. Howard Sackstein Chairperson, SA Jewish Report and Absa Jewish Achiever Awards
Our family and family foundation have strong South African roots, and we’re committed to investing time, energy, and resources in the future of our nation and community. For us, this isn’t just a gesture, it’s a real responsibility that we hold close to our hearts. We’re passionate about the incredible potential of African youth, recognising it as the heartbeat of our country and the African continent. As Africa evolves, its young people, growing in number and spirit, stand ready to shape what’s next. They aren’t just the inheritors of tomorrow; they’re the architects of a new future. As a proud Jewish organisation, we feel a deep responsibility to support our South African Jewish community. I want to take a moment to recognise that I had the great privilege of being raised in a close-knit Jewish community in the small, rural town of Springs. My parents, Bernice and Louis, instilled in us a pride in our Jewish heritage, teaching us to draw strength from Jewish values. They inspired us to make a difference in our community, gave us the confidence to think creatively, and encouraged us to turn challenges into opportunities. The mentorship I received from my parents and grandparents, and the understanding of how a strong Jewish value system builds confidence and resilience, has been a guiding force in my life. It’s very much our desire, as a family, through awards like this, to encourage young Jewish South Africans to embrace their heritage, draw upon generations of experience in making meaningful contributions, and remember that we’re not merely passing visitors in South Africa, we’re woven into the fabric of this society and no-one can take away our rightful place here. For young Jewish South Africans, it’s also essential to see their Jewish identity as a strength, something to celebrate openly. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, you will always encounter detractors. Here in South Africa, we’re fortunate that such voices are few, though often loud. It’s the responsibility of our younger generation to be even louder, not in arrogance, but in pride and presence. We should be humble, yet never invisible. That’s why we’re dedicated to supporting initiatives that celebrate the achievements of young Jewish South Africans who are shaping our community’s future and leaving their mark on our nation. In this spirit, we’re thrilled to sponsor the Ichikowitz Family Foundation Rising Star Award. This award is special because it honours those not only succeeding in their careers, but also opening doors for future generations. These young achievers exemplify the energy, entrepreneurial spirit, and resilience of our youth. At a time when South Africa faces challenges on many fronts, it’s essential to invest in young people and celebrate their contributions. Initiatives like the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards shine a spotlight on the extraordinary efforts of young Jewish South Africans, inspiring others to believe in the possibilities within our country and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. Through this sponsorship, we also want to honour the quiet heroes in our community whose commitment often goes unnoticed. We believe South Africa remains a land of opportunity, a place where young people can build fulfilling careers, contribute meaningfully to society, and shape the economy. We hope to encourage young people to take bold steps, start businesses, create jobs, and invest in our nation’s growth and prosperity. In the end, our involvement in this award goes beyond recognition, it’s about envisioning a brighter future. It’s about ensuring that South Africa remains a place of opportunity for young Jewish individuals and all young people. It’s about building a community and a nation where young people can pursue their dreams, thrive, and create a legacy that lasts. Ivor Ichikowitz Chairperson of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation Jewish youth – key to community and country Honouring women who lead with heart and purpose Mann Made is once again honoured to sponsor the Community Service Award at this year’s Absa Jewish Achiever Awards. This prestigious recognition celebrates an individual or organisation within the Jewish community whose commitment to service extends beyond the expected, uplifting and supporting the broader community with dedication and compassion. These nominees embody values that inspire positive change and serve as a guiding light for future generations. At Mann Made, our mission is to create events and stories that amplify human connection and ignite human potential. Through creative storytelling and cutting-edge technology, we bring ideas to life in ways that spark impact and leave lasting impressions. Our recent successes, such as the SingularityU South Africa Summit returning in person this October, reflect our commitment to crafting transformative experiences that unite people and open new horizons of possibility. Our passion for community empowerment is also evident in our longstanding partnership with the Maharishi Institute. By sponsoring the education of deserving students each year, we’re helping to build South Africa’s next generation of leaders. Our projects, including Africarare, South Africa’s first metaverse, demonstrate our dedication to advancing technology and creating opportunities that inspire and uplift. As we celebrate the achievements of the 2024 Community Service Award winner and all the nominees, we are reminded of the incredible potential within our communities. On behalf of everyone at Mann Made, we extend our deepest gratitude to these community champions whose selflessness and impact shine a light for us all. Thank you for your invaluable contributions and may your stories continue to inspire a brighter future. Shayne, Mic, and Kevin Mann Mann Made Inspiring stories that build communities 4 Sponsors’ messages For more than 10 years, Europcar has proudly sponsored the Europcar Women in Leadership Award. We are continually inspired by the stories of extraordinary women touching lives and igniting positive change in their businesses, organisations, and communities. Each year, we’re honoured to engage with Jewish women who aren’t just breaking barriers but redefining what it means to lead with passion, purpose, and unwavering integrity. True leadership extends beyond personal success. This award celebrates women who aren’t just successful innovators, business people, role models, academics, professionals, artists, and changemakers, but who at the same time foster ethical and inclusive practices, drive sustainable change, and create a future where everyone thrives. As with every year, this year’s nominees have impressed the judging panel with remarkable achievements in their respective fields. Their talent, resilience, vision, tenacity, humility, and dedication inspire us, and we’re sure their achievements will inspire others, particularly women. We’re proud that Europcar helps to provide a platform to share the achievements of the nominees. We sincerely thank the nominees for so openly sharing their inspirational stories with us, and warmly congratulate them on their nominations. Our heartfelt thanks also go to the SA Jewish Report for enabling our participation in these prestigious awards. Martin Lydall Chief Executive Officer Europcar South Africa (Motus Car Rental)
WE INVEST IN PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE AMBITION TO REALISE THEIR GOALS AND THE DRIVE TO REACH THEM www.glocapital.com As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards and the SA Jewish Report, I reflect with immense pride and gratitude on Afrika Tikkun’s journey over the past 30 years. What began as a well-meaning charity serving merely 1 000 beneficiaries has evolved into a sustainable social-impact organisation that continues to transform the lives and communities of more than 30 000 beneficiaries annually. Afrika Tikkun’s story is one of dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to social justice. Our late founders Bertie Lubner, Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris, Herby Rosenberg, and Arnold Forman, who serves on the board of directors, were driven by the value of tzedakah and a profound sense of responsibility. This was the foundation that laid the groundwork for an organisation that initially provided relief to townships and addressed critical issues such as food security, housing, and early childhood development. Today, we stand as a testament to their collective vision, having grown into a multifaceted organisation that addresses the national imperative of youth unemployment through education, skills development, and holistic support. Under Marc Lubner’s leadership, the organisation has grown from a charity to a sustainable social-impact organisation that went from raising about R20 million per annum to today generating a total revenue exceeding R500 million. In the past 30 years, through its award-winning Cradle-to-Career 360° model, Afrika Tikkun has changed the lives of more than 32 000 children, close to 80 000 young people, and with more than 30 000 job-seeking youth trained and placed. In addition, the organisation has distributed more than 25 million meals to beneficiaries and their families, ensuring their well-being and sustenance, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Afrika Tikkun has expanded its reach from serving children and young people in two provinces to all nine provinces, working with more than 1 000 complementary partners, including government, non-governmental organisations, community based organisations, and small, medium and micro-enterprises. Notably, one of the most remarkable aspects of Afrika Tikkun is our diverse and inclusive community. While we are proud of our Jewish roots and the values that have shaped our mission, we are equally proud to be a multi-faith, mixed group of individuals from all races and backgrounds. Our unity in diversity is a powerful testament to what can be achieved when people come together with a common purpose: to serve others and build a better future for all. Our 2023 matric pass rate of 94%, surpassing the national average by 11%, and a commendable 60% Bachelor’s admissions rate, are evidence of the power of collaborative effort and our young people’s grit and determination. The Jewish community’s contribution to township communities through Afrika Tikkun is a shining example of how we can address pressing social issues while fostering understanding and co-operation among different groups. By working together, we have made a significant impact on the lives of countless young people, providing them with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. As we jointly celebrate this milestone alongside 25 years of the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards and the SA Jewish Report as well as 30 years of democracy, we also look to the future with hope and fortitude. The challenges we face are great, but so is our resolve. We remain committed to our mission of empowering young people and building resilient communities. Together, we will continue to make a difference, guided by Talmudic and everyday values that have brought us this far and inspired by the possibilities that lie ahead. Thank you for joining us on this journey and for your continued support. Here’s to many more years of making a positive impact and creating a brighter future for all. Marc Lubner Chairperson of the Lubner Family Foundation Afrika Tikkun: 30 years of commitment to social change It’s with great pride that the Eric Ellerine Trust sponsors the Entrepreneur Award at the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards. This award is a tribute to the enduring legacy of Eric Ellerine, a pioneering entrepreneur who dedicated his life to building not only a successful business but empowering others to do the same. Eric’s journey began as a young, ambitious 16-year-old, using his Barmitzvah money to open a single store. From those humble beginnings, Eric and his brother grew Ellerine Holdings into one of South Africa’s most successful retail enterprises, eventually listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Eric’s achievements weren’t simply testament to his entrepreneurial spirit, but his unwavering belief in South Africa’s potential. He devoted himself to creating jobs, investing in people, and supporting other budding entrepreneurs, a commitment that continued even after his tenure at Ellerine Holdings with the establishment of Eric Ellerine Trust Proprietary Limited, an investment holding company through which Eric, and then his family, continue to back entrepreneurs. Through this award, we honour the essence of what Eric stood for: resilience; integrity; and an unshakeable commitment to excellence. We hope that it serves to inspire others to pursue their dreams with the same tenacity and vision that he embodied. Eric believed in building something greater than oneself, and it’s our privilege to encourage and recognise those who follow a similar path. We hope this award will inspire generations of entrepreneurs who, like Eric, dare to start small, dream big, and invest in the future with courage and compassion. Thank you to the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards for this platform to celebrate and perpetuate the spirit of entrepreneurship. Dionne Hirschowitz Chief Executive of Eric Ellerine Trust Sponsors’ messages Celebrating those who dare to dream big
Ichikowitz Family Foundation Rising Star Judges Excel Academy founder Dan Stillerman has helped tens of thousands work smarter through Excel 6 Grant Friedman is partner at Africrest Properties, which owns apartments and resortstyle estates Jade Kirkel transformed Sorbet into a household name, and is co-founder of sneaker business JoyJoy Jonti Brozin is founder of Forever Young Capital, focused on delivering social and finance returns Justin Blend is a director of Africrest Properties, which owns apartments and resort-style estates Garron Chaitowitz is director and audit partner of BDO Geoff Rothschild, judging panel chair, was formerly chairperson of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Greg Solomon is chief executive of McDonald’s South Africa, as well as a mentor and strategist Nomsa Moeketsi is Regional Segment Head Wealth, at Absa Sharon Wapnick is senior partner of TWB and Partners Absa Judges ONLINE JUDGE Dionne Hirschowitz is chief executive of Eric Ellerine Trust, a diversified investment holding company
Avi Mishan is managing director and co-founder of brand originator and developer SMD Technologies the Eric Ellerine Entrepreneur Judges Barry Swartzberg is a co-founder and executive director of Discovery Consulting Brand Mama Heidi Brauer was chief marketing officer at Hollard, kulula.com, and SLOW Romeo Kumalo is chief executive of LLH Capital and chairperson of Kalon Venture Partners Dawn Nathan-Jones is a seasoned executive with a 35-year track record in transport and tourism Johanna Makgalemele is group chief executive and co-founder of corporate agency Travel with Flair Taryn Marcus is a business-savvy human resources expert, and the co-founder of Reinvent CoLab Dorianne Weil, “Dr D”, is a clinical psychologist, and is influential in business and government sectors 7 Europcar Women in Leadership Judges ONLINE JUDGE Suzanne Ackerman is non-executive director of Pick n Pay, and chair of PnP/Boxer and Feed the Nation
When Sivan Yaari was unable to help a starving Ugandan woman keep her baby alive, she knew she had to do whatever she could to make running water available across Africa. She’s on her way to making this a reality. Yaari, this year’s Bertie Lubner Humanitarian Award winner (in honour of Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris) at the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards, clearly remembers the woman holding her baby and begging for help back in 2017. But by the time she had returned to help her, the baby had died. “I felt so helpless, but it was the moment I realised just how important it was for me to do this work as fast as possible,” she says. To date, Yaari and her company, Innovation: Africa, have brought power and running water to five million people in 1 200 villages across Africa. In South Africa alone, in just six years, she has given more than 700 000 people access to clean water in 184 villages. And by the end of this year, she will have helped more than one million South Africans. “There are still 400 million people in Africa who need clean water, and it is my mission to get that to them,” Yaari says. Yaari spent her early childhood in Rishon LeZion in Israel, but she’s proud of the fact that she has African heritage, with her father from Algeria and her mother from Tunisia. Her father lost his job and couldn’t find alternative work so her mother was the sole breadwinner, selling chocolates. “When I was almost at Batmitzvah age, my family moved to Nice in France to live with my aunt in the hope they would find work there. They were uneducated, they hadn’t even gone to high school.” In Nice, they survived by making and selling pizzas in a market, with Yaari doing her bit to help. “We were considered poor, but I now understand what poor is. I had shoes, running water, and electricity, and I never went hungry. What I have seen in Africa is so humbling,” she says. At 18, she returned to Israel to do her national service, and worked on a kibbutz. At 20, she interviewed for a job with United States (US) clothing company Jordache. “I almost didn’t get the job because my English wasn’t good enough. As I was leaving the interview, I said, ‘But I speak French’, and that led to me being sent to its factory in Madagascar,” Yaari says. “It’s all about luck.” It was in various villages across Africa that she saw how desperate people were for clean water and energy. Yaari felt the need to do something about it, and Jordache sponsored her to do a scholarship at Columbia University in the US to study energy. Seeing that Israel uses solar power, she believed she could use that technology on her African quest. “I first took two solar panels to a medical centre in Tanzania, and they were enough to supply energy to power 12 lightbulbs and a refrigerator for vaccines. That was how I started in 2008,” she says. “I have gone from one village to the next, learning more about what’s needed all the time. “I’ve learnt the real meaning of poverty. No water means no food. It also means being sick because of using dirty water. And it means no education because you spend all day walking to find water.” She also realised that she didn’t have to invent anything because the sun provides energy in Africa and there’s water underground. “We simply need to drill down 100m to 200m, and 98% of the time, we find clean water. Then, all you need to pump the water to taps is energy, which can be supplied by solar panels. It doesn’t even cost that much,” Yaari says. In most African villages, it costs an average of R1 million to create a sustainable and 24-hour monitored water system, she says. With much bigger villages, like many in South Africa, it costs about R1.5 million because they need more taps and pipes. “This includes the remote monitoring system from Israel, and training and employing 10 people in the village to ensure the upkeep of the system. They work with the contractor for four months and learn everything to do with the solar water pumping system. So when we leave, if they need to change a tap or stem a leak, they can fix it, making every system we’ve installed 100% sustainable.” Yaari didn’t believe she was needed in South Africa. However, on her first visit here in 2018 – to a group of women at King David school – she got a call on her way to the airport out of the country from Stephen Koseff, then chief executive of Investec Bank. He told her that his wife, Sheryl, had heard her speak, and pleaded with her not to leave South Africa immediately, but to meet him. “I didn’t see the point, but I agreed. I thought if there was electricity, there was no reason not to have water. But when I went to Bushbuckridge and Vembe, I saw the grid was there, but women walked kilometres to get water and often they could find only dirty water,” she says. “I was shocked at hearing the horror stories of what happens to some women on their way. I knew I had to help. Investec offered to give us money for the first 10 villages. “We use Israeli technology and work with local communities and contractors,” she says. All the South African sponsors are from Jewish-led organisations. “The South African Jewish community has such a big heart. It really cares for its members, the country, and its people. I couldn’t do what I have done here without its help,” she said. “I come to South Africa two or three times a year and see how the community really cares and wants to create change. I feel like I’m helping it to do the good it wants to do. It’s heartwarming.” Yaari says she has no doubt that though there are still four million people in South Africa who don’t have access to clean water, it’s feasible that with the help of the Jewish community, this won’t be the case in a few years’ time. “It’s my vision to ensure that the whole of Africa has access to clean water, and we’re working on it one village at a time. Because of the simplicity of the technology and how efficient we’re becoming, we have the best engineers in the world, the best team, and we make water systems to last.” Yaari speaks of the joy she feels whenever people first open a tap in a village. “You see the faces of the women, and you can see they recognise they no longer need to be fearful and that their lives will be forever changed by this moment. “What I love most about what we do is the fact that the impact is immediate, from not ever having running water to never again having to be without it. From drinking contaminated water to suddenly breaking the cycle of poverty. It’s a historical moment. From then on, their lives can only get better.” Yaari says they can install this technology in between 30 to 35 villages a year. “What amazes me in South Africa is that when I go back to those villages six months later, I see the businesses that have been set up by the women there, who are now free to be a part of the economy. They make bricks, open shops, make and sell food, create vegetable gardens, and become financially independent. It’s so inspiring!” Yaari says she was inspired by Golda Meir, who helped found the state of Israel and served as its fourth prime minister. “Israel was just nine years old when Golda went to Ghana’s Independence Day and saw the poverty there and decided to send Israeli experts to share their expertise and help them and other African nations,” says Yaari. “This is what Israel is about – helping others and sharing what we know. I feel we’re continuing Golda’s legacy and doing what we as Israelis are supposed to do. This is how we fulfil our destiny.” However, she emphasises the urgency of her work, and says she wants to work faster. She goes back to the moment she met that one woman in Karamoja in Uganda. “I remember arriving there at this place that the homeless Jews of Europe were offered, and was shocked. People were dying of thirst,” she says. Yaari spent three months there after the woman’s baby died. “At the time, my three babies were at home, but I couldn’t leave because those villages had no water anywhere nearby, and they were literally dying. Even today, there are people dying from drought just because they have no energy to pump water. So, we need to do it for them.” The Bertie Lubner Humanitarian Award winner 8 in honour of Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris Sivan Yaari Giving water to Africa, one village at a time
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25YEARS 10 JNF ‘catapulted into action’ after 7 October On 8 October 2023, as the true depravity of the day before in southern Israel became apparent – 1 200 killed, kibbutzim destroyed, and 250 taken captive by Hamas into Gaza – the Jewish National Fund South Africa (JNF SA) decided to do whatever it took to help Israel and the Jewish world through this horrific time. “We were catapulted into action,” said JNF SA Chairperson Michael Kransdorff. “We asked ourselves how, with limited resources and so far away, we could help people overcome the disconnection and helplessness caused by these brutal acts of terror. “Post 7 October, for the first time in generations, Jews around the world face an unprecedented threat,” Kransdorff said. “The ancient evil of antisemitism, which we believed had been vanquished, has risen once more. Despite our differences, we knew we must come together in support of Israel and stand united in the fight for the return of our hostages. We are one people with one heart, and we all have a stake in Israel’s future.” Within days, JNF SA decided to focus on directly assisting Israeli children in the south hardest hit by the war. It raised funds to temporarily relocate more than 300 children to safety at its campsite in the South African Memorial Forest in the north, where they received respite and therapy. Initially expected to last a week, this arrangement extended to eight weeks – a “Chanukah miracle”, said Kransdorff – until the government provided alternative accommodation. “Heartbroken like so many of us by the plight of the hostages, JNF SA was determined to take up their cause in South Africa.” Following a trend in other cities, JNF SA set up a large Shabbat table for hostages outside KosherWorld in Glenhazel. “Then, in conjunction with The Base Community, we launched a campaign to tie yellow ribbons around trees until the hostages are freed. We produced yellow ribbon lapel pins and yellow Shabbat candles for distribution. On Pesach and Rosh Hashanah, community members were encouraged to lay a place for a hostage.” JNF SA, together with Rabbi Aharon Zulberg of The Base Community, the Jassinowskys, and Ronit Beleli, has also arranged for released hostages and hostage families to enjoy healing and advocacy trips in South Africa, giving them respite from the ongoing conflict. While some have opted to share their experiences publicly, others chose to keep them private. Kransdorff said that when ex-hostage Sapir Cohen came to Johannesburg, she was nervous to be in a country seemingly at the epicentre of Israel hatred. When she saw the hundreds of yellow ribbons adorning trees on her drive from the airport, she sobbed at the realisation that so many people cared. “This collaboration with The Base is significant given that many secular Israelis from kibbutzim in the south are often hesitant to engage with religious communities,” Kransdorff said. “It demonstrates that different Jews can respect and collaborate with one another for the betterment of Am Yisrael.” These trips have also served to resurrect the negative image of South Africa in Israel. More such visits are planned. Together with other Zionist organisations, JNF SA organised several solidarity visits to Israel after 7 October. It partnered on three successful fundraising webinars with the SA Jewish Report. “The JNF is probably the first crowdsourcing project in history,” Kransdorff said. “It turned fundraising on its head. Rather than relying on huge bequests by wealthy families, it got millions of small donors to contribute and feel invested in Israel.” Historically, from the mid-1990s, JNF SA pivoted from an organisation mainly supporting the development of Israel to one deeply rooted in South Africa. “We saw the opportunity to share Israeli technology in areas like agriculture and water. It took some convincing of the JNF in Israel, Keren Kayemet LeYisrael [KKL], which has historically been internally focused,” Kransdorff said. The result was the Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre in Mamelodi in 2004. Today, it hosts 12 000 pupils annually who learn about biodiversity, alternative energy, water conservation, and recycling. “It’s still going strong 20 years later,” Kransdorff said. The Mamelodi Centre was recently accredited as the only science centre in a South African township. A similar, smaller centre exists in KwaZulu-Natal. The South African Memorial Forest in northern Israel was the brainchild of JNF SA’s irrepressible Isla Feldman. Apart from its formidable environmental impact, there’s a beautiful monument of a stone cut in two. There are now 94 fallen South African soldiers and 15 victims of terror commemorated there. Sadly, since 7 October, 10 new names have been added and two memorial services held. One of the JNF SA’s newest projects in Israel is “Gan Siyabonga”, or the “We Thank You Garden”, a memorial park in Tel Mond near Ra’anana with the South African Zionist Federation that honours South African Jews who fought against apartheid and supported Israel. The KKL is also regrowing Be’eri Forest that was destroyed at the Nova festival. JNF SA has a grove, and it will plant 1 200 trees, one for each person killed on 7 October. Per capita, through JNF SA, Jewish South Africans over the past 120 years have contributed the greatest amount of money to Israel despite a weakening currency. The community supported draining the swamps in the Hula Valley to open up the Galilee for settlement, and Israel’s second biggest reservoir for wastewater treatment, located in the Negev desert. The aftermath of 7 October aptly demonstrates that JNF SA is about more than blue-and-white money boxes and buying trees, although 240 million trees have been planted in Israel since its founding in 1903. Said Kransdorff, “We’ve worked hard to regenerate the organisation over the past few years. It’s great to see this acknowledged. We are one of those Jewish communal legacy organisations that have been able to reinvent ourselves and thrive. My hope is that JNF SA will continue to reinvent itself and remain for the next 120 years the vehicle through which South African Jews remain deeply rooted to our ancient homeland.” JNF SA is a worthy winner of this year’s Mann Made Community Service Award at the 2024 Absa Jewish Achiever Awards. Jewish National Fund “ We asked ourselves how, with limited resources and so far away, we could help people overcome the disconnection and helplessness caused by these brutal acts of terror. Mann Made Community Service Award winner
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Renowned international businessman and chairperson of The Foschini Group, Michael Lewis, was born into a multigenerational business legacy. He was named for his grandfather, Meyer Lewis, who died two years before he was born. Lewis’s father, Stanley, told him Meyer’s story. “It started in the traditional way that so many Jewish family stories in South Africa do – with my grandfather’s escape from Latvia,” Lewis says. Smuggled through Europe into England, he eventually sailed south and settled in Cape Town. Meyer, who was around 16 at the time, began working as a hawker, selling small supplies to make a living. He eventually found customers in rural areas, and when some couldn’t afford to pay him, they traded lamps, tables, and other items, which was how he learned about furniture. He later purchased a business called Woodstock Auction Mart, which he eventually turned into a furniture shop called M Lewis and Company. “From there, he developed the business, and it became Lewis Stores.” Lewis’s uncles, and later his father, worked in the business. “Lewis Stores offered credit, and my father went with my grandfather to collect the money,” Lewis says. “Here, he learned a lot about reading people, how to judge personalities, and about human compassion. That informed a huge part of his character. I remember hearing those stories. Growing up in a household where the idea of success went hand in hand with compassion had a big influence on me.” Stanley tragically lost both his brothers in 1950 within six weeks of one another. By this time, a large British retail business had taken a strategic interest in Lewis Stores, and it later took control of the company. Stanley felt the business had lost its “people culture”, and decided to leave and establish something of his own. In 1957, he identified an opportunity in Foschini, then a small public company, and slowly gained control of what ultimately became known as The Foschini Group. Lewis was born in 1959, and says he had his first business conversation with his father at the age of six. From then on, they would visit stores together. “As I grew older, I would watch him talk to managers and customers, looking at what he tried to impart. From 12 years old, I sat in meetings with him.” When the time came to forge his own path, Lewis felt a tremendous pull to his father and to what he was trying to achieve. “I was very taken with him as an individual, as a Jew, from a Zionistic point of view. He was a wonderful person to grow up around because there was so much to him.” Yet, while he believes it was a great privilege to growing up in a family business, Lewis says it made his path less straightforward. “In a family business, the colleagues who you eventually interact with see you as the boss’s son, and it’s difficult to break that perception. It’s a process that happens only over time as you demonstrate who you are. Also, though doors are opened for you, you’ve still got to walk through them. In so doing, you have to find a way of existing outside of the framework of your sponsor, who in this case was my dad.” That’s why, after joining the navy for two years and then studying economics and politics at the University of Cape Town, Lewis grabbed an opportunity to work for an Edinburgh-based investment company. He later moved with the company to London. “While I stayed close to my dad and was very conscious of what he was doing, I was able to function outside of the family network and be my own person,” he says. “I enjoyed that independence, and the work enabled me to develop a set of financial analysis and investment skills that I still use today. It prepared me for the challenge that eventually came in 1987, namely how to continue to build and oversee this big business in South Africa while ensuring that we expanded it domestically and internationally.” When a now experienced Lewis joined his father to accomplish these goals, he brought a new level of self-confidence. “My dad turned 65, and decided to spend more time in England, and he set up an investment office. I watched how he was continuing to chair and control the business in South Africa, while simultaneously expanding internationally, which to this day, is something I’m still engaged in.” In addition to chairing The Foschini Group, Lewis also chairs his Australian luggage, fashion, and accessory retail business, Strand, now operating beyond Australia. “It’s 100% owned by the family, and I’ve been intimately involved in its development and internationalisation,” he says. He also looks after his family’s investments. Lewis says his enduring drive comes from the knowledge that his father “entrusted and trusted” him to build a story larger than both of them. It’s a story that ultimately benefits society through the people the family’s businesses employ. Though Lewis says he feels a family obligation to keep writing this story, he also enjoys what he does immensely. “It’s managing the people, the strategy, and the financing, the challenge that comes with trying to develop something that will endure. I also strongly relate to consumer-facing businesses, creating or developing brands and trying to segment customers, while also stepping up to the ongoing digital challenge.” Like his father before him, Lewis knows the value of those with whom he works. “What distinguishes successful businesses from unsuccessful ones is generally people,” he says. It’s how people manage and develop the assets of a business that counts, he says, as well as the relationships they form. Lewis says prioritising people is equally important in one’s personal life. “You need to be part of something bigger than yourself, whether it be community, shul, business, philanthropy, or small acts of kindness. This makes you more than you otherwise would be, and gives you a level of fulfilment that’s otherwise hard to achieve. “People won’t remember what you do with your life from a business achievement or material perspective, they will remember what it was like to encounter you,” he says. “Encountering someone is a bigger concept than just meeting them.” It’s about the impact they make on you. “In the end, if someone asks what it was like to encounter you and it’s positively answered, you’ve lived your life well.” Lewis hopes to leave such a legacy. in honour of Helen Suzman 12 Retail icon creates a legacy Michael Lewis “ People won’t remember what you do with your life from a business achievement or material perspective, they will remember what it was like to encounter you. kirsh family lifetime achievement Award winner
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