Young Rowan Polovin proudly waves the Zionist flag

SUZANNE BELLING

PHOTOGRAPH SUPPLIED

The council holds its conference in August this year and following precedent, Polovin’s election will be formalised then, after which he will serve for two terms. At 32, he is believed to be the youngest-ever chairman of the Zionist Federation in the Western Cape.

Originally from Johannesburg, Polovin told SA Jewish Report: “I did not go to a Jewish day school and was not involved in Zionism or Jewish affairs until I went on the Birthright programme in 2007.

“I saw for the first time what our land was all about and developed an intrinsic connection and interaction with our democratic state.”

He now visits Israel twice a year and is a “passionate Zionist”, having worked on Israeli-related causes for many years and delivers regular lectures on Israeli innovation.

Polovin has the distinction of having started his first software company at the age of 10 (“for which I earned pocket money”). He later developed computer software for educational purposes and has since founded numerous technology start-ups and “loves to connect Israeli start-ups to the African continent”.

His interest in computers was fuelled when his parents, David and Yvette, bought him a computer. “I taught myself how to programme and now run a tech company.”

He sold software to friends, using computers as a tool for his business.

Matriculating from Crawford College (Sandton), where he excelled in the Science Olympiad, he began his university studies in Johannesburg and then moved to the University of Cape Town, when his family relocated.

He holds degrees in English, philosophy and entrepreneurship from UCT and was also the UCT class medallist and top achiever for the post-graduate diploma in enterprise management.

A man of many talents, Polovin is also an accomplished pianist, with a grade 8 certificate from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and a classical music composer of piano sonatas, choral works and a symphony for string orchestra.

“When I think of what Israel has achieved in 68 years, I am filled with pride. From a desert, the country is filled with forests. It has become a mighty nation with incredible achievements.

“The world benefits in incalculable ways from Israel’s products and technology. With every visit my connection to Israel strengthens and I become more Zionist.”

Regarding the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) and other anti-Israel elements, Polovin says: “In essence, anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism for all intents and purposes. We should try not to be too reactive and rather be proactive.

“My philosophy is that we must be completely vocal in our support of Israel; we must stand up to the BDS and never allow ourselves to be bullied.”

Polovin feels South African Jews have a right to be proudly Zionist and should not be afraid to wave the Israeli flag.

“We should be proud of our identity, which allows us to build bridges with others,” he said.