Latest news with #Survé
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Surve's Urgent Call for Action : A South African Vision for Youth and Economic Renewal
In a world of uncertainty, true leadership is measured by the ability to confront pressing crises. In South Africa, the future of millions of young people depends on bold action and innovative solutions. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers In an age where nations teeter between promise and peril, the true measure of leadership is not in grand speeches but in the ability to confront the crises that define a generation. Nowhere is this more urgent than in South Africa, where the future of millions of young people hinges on bold action, not empty rhetoric. It is in this context that the recent awarding of the Global Trailblazer Award to South African entrepreneur Dr. Iqbal Survé by the T20/G20 Future of Jobs Summit feels less like a surprise and more like the natural outcome of a life lived with purpose. The Award, reserved for individuals who have shattered boundaries and sparked global movements, acknowledged Dr Survé's lifetime of work in business innovation, social transformation, and international cooperation. In the words of the citation, it celebrated his 'pioneering spirit, boundary-breaking leadership, and relentless pursuit of excellence' — a fitting tribute to someone whose journey has consistently bridged commerce, conscience, and community. For decades, South Africa has struggled with one of the world's highest youth unemployment rates, now hovering at over 60%. The crisis extends beyond economics; it threatens the nation's social fabric and future stability. Addressing this challenge has been at the heart of Survé's broader mission, from his days as a medical doctor treating victims of apartheid, to building companies that have created thousands of jobs and sustainable enterprises across Africa. As a founding member and chairperson of the BRICS Business Council, Survé helped shape the architecture of South-South cooperation, advocating for emerging markets long before it became fashionable. His diplomatic engagements have earned him recognition from several nations, including the International Friendship award from Her Majesty, Queen Letizia of Spain, and fourteen other global awards, and he has been a member of the World Economic Forum since 2007. In these arenas, Survé has championed a future where emerging economies are not mere participants, but architects of a multipolar world order. During his recent address at the Future of Jobs Summit, Dr Survé didn't mince words about the scale of South Africa's challenges. In a moment that blended satire with sober reflection, he remarked on the conspicuous absence of key South African officials, a nod that underscored deeper concerns about leadership's reluctance to confront uncomfortable truths. True leadership, he argued, lies not in diplomatic courtesies but in the courage to advocate for bold, structural reforms, especially in the face of youth unemployment. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading In his keynote, Dr Survé proposed practical and visionary solutions: creating regional centres of excellence across Africa, each dedicated to building expertise in critical sectors such as technology and energy. 'Let's divide up the continent,' he said, 'not by colonial lines, but by language and capability, and build institutions that serve our future.' It was a call not just to action, but to rethink Africa's place in the world. The significance of the Trailblazer Award, then, lies not merely in the personal recognition of Dr Survé, but in what it represents — the validation of a worldview rooted in service, resilience, and transformation. At a time when the global order itself is being renegotiated, leaders like Survé offer a reminder that real progress is driven not by those who wait for change but by those who build it. The world is full of awards, but few are earned through the steady accumulation of deeds that shift the horizon of possibility for others. In that sense, Survé's recognition is less about personal acclaim and more a marker of what leadership, grounded in principle and action, can achieve. * Adri Senekal de Wet is the Editor-in-Chief of Independent Media.
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
'SA Youth Must be Supported to Grow in the Content & Gig Economy'
Chairman of Sekunjalo and Independent Media Dr Iqbal Survé, delivers a keynote address during The Future of Jobs Summit, T20 South Africa 2025 at the DP World Wanderers Stadium. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers Dr Iqbal Survé delivered a compelling blueprint for youth employment at the Future of Jobs Summit, emphasising digital transformation as a pathway out of poverty. Dr Iqbal Survé, Chairman of Sekunjalo Group, delivered a passionate keynote address at the Future of Jobs Summit 2025, presenting a comprehensive vision for leveraging South Africa's digital potential to combat youth unemployment. Speaking to government officials and industry leaders, Dr Survé outlined how the content economy and technology sector could become lifelines for millions of unemployed young South Africans. With youth unemployment reaching a staggering 62.4% for those aged 15-24, Dr Survé painted a bleak picture of the crisis facing the nation. 'This isn't merely a statistic; it represents over 4.8 million young South Africans waking up daily without economic dignity or hope,' he emphasised, drawing from the latest Statistics South Africa report. However, rather than dwelling on challenges, the business leader presented an optimistic roadmap centred on digital transformation. He highlighted the success story of Thato Joseph Mashifane from Dennilton, Limpopo, who transformed unemployment into entrepreneurship through his viral TikTok character 'Sis Maria'. 'Armed with just a smartphone, an old broom, a second-hand laptop, and an unshakeable passion for storytelling, Sis Maria launched a 'solopreneur' journey that took him out of unemployment queues,' Dr Survé noted. 'If one young South African can transform his future through media and technology, imagine what millions could achieve.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The Sekunjalo chairman, whose group employs over 8,000 people with 50% being black African youth under 35, demonstrated his commitment goes beyond rhetoric. The company is already nurturing young entrepreneurs at the secondary school level through initiatives like iAccelerate SA, a high school startup accelerator led by Deputy Chair Rayhaan Survé. Dr Survé's seven-point strategy focuses heavily on the creator economy, worth $104 billion globally. He proposed establishing 'Digital Content Creation Hubs' in townships and rural areas, equipped with professional equipment and training in video production, podcasting, and graphic design. 'We need a 'Township TikTok Academy' approach that could empower thousands to earn from global audiences,' he explained, emphasising South Africa's rich cultural heritage as a competitive advantage in the global digital marketplace. The technology apprenticeship programmes he outlined align with Microsoft South Africa's recent R5.4 billion investment commitment, which aims to train 50,000 people in AI, data science, and cybersecurity. Dr Survé sees this as a model for combining infrastructure investment with skills development. Addressing the gig economy, he noted that South African youth are already participating in global freelance platforms. 'Our youth are already teaching English online to students in China and working remotely on global platforms. We see them in McDonald's and Starbucks, intensely focused on laptops, doing business, and earning an income from anywhere in the world.' His vision extends to the gaming industry, where he sees untapped potential in South Africa's cultural narratives. 'Our cultural richness—from traditional stories to contemporary urban experiences—offers unique content that global audiences crave,' he said, referencing the $200 billion global gaming market.
IOL News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Independent Media and the true meaning of press freedom
Independent Media's editor-in-chief Adri Senekal de Wet. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers CAROLINE James's recent article on amaBhungane's decision to intervene in a legal matter involving Independent Media is a disingenuous attempt to paint herself and her organisation as champions of press freedom. However, it is both ironic and revealing that this apparent act of 'solidarity' arrives wrapped in disdain, accusations, and a backhanded swipe at Dr Iqbal Survé, the chairman of Independent Media and the Sekunjalo Group. Let me set the record straight. Dr Survé is a visionary South African entrepreneur, a trained medical doctor, and a global philanthropist who has received multiple honorary doctorates and has served in key leadership roles across international economic and media platforms. He has served as chairperson of the BRICS Business Council (South Africa), represented the country at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and remains deeply committed to building inclusive economic models that empower the majority of South Africans, not a select few. Crucially, Dr Survé has dedicated a significant portion of his life to defending and advancing the principles of free speech and media plurality, often at great personal and financial cost. Under his leadership, Independent Media became one of the very few large-scale, black-owned media houses in the country, committed to transforming the narrative landscape of South Africa. It is precisely because of this transformation that powerful interest groups have waged a relentless campaign to discredit him and the company he leads. Independent Media has published stories other outlets wouldn't touch — stories about state capture, corporate corruption, banking collusion, land restitution failures, and political hypocrisy. We have given voice to the marginalised, to families of unrest victims, whistleblowers, and ordinary citizens. We have upheld the spirit and substance of media freedom as enshrined in Section 16 of our Constitution: not just the right to speak, but the right to know. Which brings us to the real meaning of World Press Freedom Day, a day meant to honour the fundamental human right to free expression and to recognise the press as a pillar of democracy, not a tool of elite manipulation. Sadly, this spirit is being diluted by actors like amaBhungane, who present themselves as independent while evading full transparency about their funding and motives. James fails to mention, for instance, the growing concern about amaBhungane's financial ties to international donors and wealthy local benefactors, including links to Oppenheimer-aligned initiatives. She does not disclose that figures like William Gumede allegedly received funding from these circles, raising serious questions about ownership influence and editorial bias. For an organisation that preaches transparency, this omission is glaring. It is also worth reminding the public that one of amaBhungane's co-founders, Sam Sole, has previously been accused of Stratcom-style tactics, misusing investigative journalism to serve political interests and destabilise black-owned media entities. These are not idle accusations. They come from years of observation, experience, and first-hand exposure to how narrative warfare is conducted in South Africa. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ In that context, James's faux indignation that Independent Media has called out amaBhungane as 'racist' or 'Stratcom' is not only misplaced, it's revealing. It reflects a belief that their organisation is beyond scrutiny, above criticism, and immune to being held to the same standards they so eagerly apply to others. Let us be crystal clear: press freedom does not belong to a handful of NGOs funded from abroad. It belongs to the people of South Africa. It belongs to the journalists on the ground, the community papers, the investigative reporters who work without donor stipends or overseas backers. And yes, it belongs to media houses like Independent, which face daily legal and financial harassment for simply doing their job. The case involving ARTsolar is not an isolated incident; it is part of a broader trend where powerful interests use the courts to silence journalists. We reject any form of censorship, whether it comes from corporate boardrooms or courtrooms. But we also reject opportunists who swoop in at the last minute to frame themselves as heroes while undermining the very institutions they claim to defend. At Independent Media, we are committed to protecting the rights of our journalists, defending the integrity of our platforms, and ensuring that media freedom is not reduced to a slogan used to justify elitist capture of the narrative. We are here to serve the public interest. That includes challenging the very actors who claim to speak for the public while operating in secret. We call on amaBhungane to disclose all their sources of funding, all potential conflicts of interest, and the real motivations behind their targeted interventions. We also remind them that media solidarity begins with mutual respect, not condescension, not character assassination, and certainly not selective advocacy. As editor-in-chief, I am proud to stand alongside Dr Survé and the editors and journalists across our titles. We are not perfect, but we are principled. And we will continue to tell the stories that matter, no matter how uncomfortable they are for those who believe they should control the narrative. On this Press Freedom Day, let us reaffirm what real media independence looks like: it looks like accountability, it looks like truth-telling, and it looks like ownership that reflects the soul of the country, not the wallets of a privileged few. * Adri Senekal de Wet is the editor-in-chief of Independent Media.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Celebrating Dr Iqbal Survé: A visionary leader honoured at the Future of Jobs Summit
Chairman of Sekunjalo and Independent Media Dr Iqbal Survé, received the Global Trailblazer Leadership Award from Dr Nik Eberl during The Future of Jobs Summit, T20 South Africa 2025 at the DP World Wanderers Stadium on Thursday. Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers Dr Iqbal Survé, chair of Sekunjalo Investment Holdings and Independent Media, a visionary entrepreneur and innovator, has been honoured with a special Global Trailblazer Leadership Award. This took place on Thursday evening during the prestigious Future of Jobs Summit, a flagship event of the T20, the official think tank initiative under South Africa's G20 Presidency. In his acceptance speech, he said: 'All of us in our journeys are where we are because of the people that we work with and so I want to honour the 8,500 people in our group. I want to thank them for their contribution towards this award. And I think this award is really in honour of them.' He believed the award is a recognition for the role he played within the country and globally in fostering the interests of South Africa. 'I think for me it is only recognition of the work role I played in the World Economic Forum, in BRICS and in the Clinton Global Initiative and just generally trying to promote our country as chairman of different business councils between different countries for the last few decades. And I am optimistic about my country. I firmly believe you can change things,' he said. Survé talked about the importance of positioning South Africa on the global stage, advocating for a multi-polar world where the Global South plays a significant role. He emphasised his belief in fostering cooperation among nations of the Global South to promote mutual interests and development. 'I think South Africa must take its rightful place in the community and nations from an investment point of view, from a skills point of view and from a development point of view,' he said. He emphasised the need for a mindset shift, encouraging people to think differently and be more open-minded about collaboration, both within South Africa and with other countries. 'I haven't said we must work exclusively with the BRICS countries. I think there is a very strong place for us to work with the West. They are a big part of our history. They are a big part of our trade and economy and we just need to have a balanced approach to the world,' he said. He noted that people in different countries, such as the United States and China, have a strong sense of national pride and confidence in their systems, suggesting that South Africans should similarly believe in their own country and its potential. 'So we as South Africans should believe in our country and our rights. We must put our rights first and we must demand respect. We must demand that people respect our sovereignty and our independence,' he said. When he was chairman of the BRICS Business Council, Survé always made sure that South Africa was never a small state within BRICS. 'As much as our economy was a tiny portion compared to the other BRICS countries, I never allowed our delegation that attended these big meetings, either the business council meetings or the heads of state meetings to go there with a begging bowl. From the very first meeting I insisted, whether there were Chinese or Russians or Brazilians or Indians, that we are here as equal partners,' he said. He expressed deep disappointment with South Africa's approach during President Cyril Ramaphosa's meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, describing it as a low moment in the country's 30 years of democracy. 'We looked like we were a banana republic. We didn't look like we were an independent sovereign country with a point of view. People should not interfere in what happens in our country. "Whatever our issues are around farmers, it is for us to sort them out. And not for us to go to another country and get them to sort them out. Why have we elected our leadership? They have been elected to solve these problems,' he said. [email protected]
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Dr Iqbal Survé Calls for Digital-Driven Youth Employment at Future of Jobs Summit
Sekunjalo Group chairman Dr Iqbal Survé delivered a passionate and personal address at the 2025 Future of Jobs Summit held at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Thursday. Speaking alongside civic and business leaders, including Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, FNB South Africa's Head of Marketing Katlego Mahloane, and Gauteng Legislature's Dulton Keith Adams, Dr Survé used the platform to spotlight the role of technology and media in combating South Africa's youth unemployment crisis. Receiving a warm welcome from delegates, Dr Survé veered off-script at moments to share anecdotes from his journey — from a young medical doctor to leading a multi-billion-rand conglomerate with over 8 000 employees. Half of them, he proudly noted, are black African youth under 35. 'Sekunjalo doesn't just talk about youth empowerment — we live it, breathe it, and invest in it daily,' he told the audience. 'This is why today's conversation isn't theoretical for us. It's practical. It's urgent.'Dr Survé highlighted Sekunjalo's investments across energy, media, ICT, e-commerce, and telecommunications, and drew attention to the group's philanthropic work supporting youth entrepreneurship and education through Survé Philanthropies. Focusing on the summit's core theme — jobs for the future — Survé zeroed in on digital transformation. He shared the inspiring story of Thato Joseph Mashifane, a young man from Dennilton in Limpopo who, after losing his job, turned to TikTok with a comedic character named "Sis Maria." With just a smartphone, broomstick, and a laptop, Mashifane has built a social media empire with over 1.3 million TikTok followers, turning content creation into a sustainable career.'This is the power of media and technology,' said Survé. 'If one young South African can rewrite his future with a smartphone and passion, imagine what millions could achieve.'
