Iqbal Survé
Born (1963-02-12) February 12, 1963
Cape Town
NationalitySouth African
OccupationChairman of Sekunjalo Investment Holdings
Years active1996-present
Websiteiqbalsurve.com

Iqbal Survé is a South African entrepreneur, billionaire, medical doctor, and self-professed philanthropist.[1] He is the Chairman of Sekunjalo Investment Holdings,[2] a diversified investment firm based in Cape Town, and the Chairman of Independent Media,[3] one of South Africa's largest media companies. Survé is a controversial figure linked to Jacob Zuma[4][5][6] and has been accused of editorial interference across Independent Media titles.[7][8][9][10] He has also reportedly failed to repay loans from the government-controlled Public Investment Corporation and has been accused of using pensioners' money to fund his companies, his lifestyle and his property portfolio.[11][12][13][14][15][16]

Survé served as the first Chairman of the Global Growth Companies (GGC) Advisory Board and Vice-Chairman of the Global Agenda Council (GAC) on Emerging Multinationals with the World Economic Forum (WEF).[17] He has been internationally recognised for his contributions to business and society, including being named one of the "100 Most Influential Africans" by New African Magazine.[18]

Early life

Survé was born on 12 February 1963[19] in Cape Town, South Africa. Survé has two sisters and is the middle child. He grew up in the Cape Town suburb of Kenilworth. In 1985 Survé's father put the house on auction and the family moved to Lansdowne, a coloured designated area in Cape Town.

Controversies

Relationship with Nelson Mandela

Survé claims a close relationship with Nelson Mandela,[20] and in 2014, a Leadership Platform article in Business Report (a paper owned by Survé's Sekunjalo group) stated that Survé had been Mandela's doctor "on and off Robben Island".[21] These claims have been disputed on various grounds,[22] such as Survé only having graduated after Mandela left Robben Island in 1982.[23]

Survé claims that he was among a group of doctors assigned to accompany Mandela upon his release from Victor Verster Prison in 1990 in the event that an assassination attempt was carried out while Mandela spoke outside the Cape Town City Hall following his release. Following this first meeting with Mandela, Survé says that he and Mandela maintained a close relationship.[24] Survé claimed that he was a confidant to Mandela, as well as all successive democratically-elected presidents of South Africa, and that Mandela would occasionally seek medical advice from him.[25] Survé claims that he became known as the 'Struggle Doctor' to comrades in the African National Congress for his role in treating anti-apartheid activists who were injured during protest action in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.[24][26] These claims have likewise been disputed.[23][27][28]

Relationship with Ahmed Kathrada

Survé also claimed to be mentored by Mandela's fellow prisoner and anti-apartheid stalwart Ahmed Kathrada, who confirmed in 2017 that he had known Survé for many years and that he accompanied Survé and his family to Robben Island a few years prior.[29] Kathrada did, however, deny having mentored Survé and did not immediately recall who Survé was.[23]

Termination of banking services

Several banks, including Absa, FNB, Nedbank, Investec, Standard Bank and Mercantile Bank refuse to do business with any company tied to Survé and his Sekunjalo Investment Holdings. 28 more banks and representative offices of foreign banks are boycotting Survé and his companies. The biggest South African banks cited the Mpati Commission findings of the "malfeasance" of Survé's group.[30][31]

Qatargate scandal

European Union records have indicated that Survé's Sekunjalo Development Foundation was the largest donor to a European Union lobbying organisation called Fight Impunity, which has been embroiled in the Qatargate scandal. According to court documents, Survé's foundation was claimed to be the "most important donor".[32] Survé admitted to having made a donation of ZAR 4.5 million to Fight Impunity but denied any wrongdoing on his part. [33]

Sekunjalo Investments

Survé left medicine in 1997 to found Sekunjalo Investments, with the aim of investing and assisting Black-owned businesses, and in 1999 listed it on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.[20][19] In 2013, Sekunjalo purchased a 55% stake in Independent News & Media SA, South Africa's second biggest newspaper group, from its international parent company, Independent News & Media.[34] The purchase was largely funded by a loan from the government-owned Public Investment Corporation which manages the Government Employees Pension Fund.[35] By 2018 a large proportion of the Public Investment Corporation's investment in Sekunjalo was reportedly written off[36] while Sekunjalo claimed that they had reached an amicable agreement with the PIC for a debt-for-shares swop.[37]

International Activities

Survé was chairman of the World Economic Forum's Global Growth Companies (GGC) advisory board and as vice-chairman of the Global Agenda Council on Emerging Multinationals.[17] Survé was a founding member of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) and was honoured by President Bill Clinton.[38] Survé also served on the Siemens Global Sustainability advisory board.[17]

Survé is a fellow of the African Leadership Institute. He is also a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.[39]

Survé was the South African chairman of the South Africa-Saudi Arabia Business Council[40] as well as a patron of the South Africa-Italy Summit.[41][42]

Survé was appointed to the Stewardship Board of the WEF “Shaping the Future of Information and Entertainment System Initiative” at Davos in 2017.[43][44]

In 2017, the Geneva-based International Bridges to Justice (IBJ), a global NGO, appointed Survé to its global advisory board to share his leadership skills and philanthropic experience with the organisation. IBJ founder Karen Tse indicated that Survé's appointment was in recognition of his medical work with victims of apartheid and provision of medical care to a number of prominent South Africans during and after their release from Robben Island, which earned him an honour from Amnesty International in Paris in 1989 at UNESCO.[45][44]

Survé was appointed chairperson of the BRICS Business Council in 2017, in a role to oversee the strengthening of South Africa's ties with the East amidst political uncertainty in Western powers.[46]

From left: Mandla Mkhwanazi, Javed Malik, Slauzy Mogami, Dr Iqbal Survé, Lizeka Matshekga, Mvuleni Qhena, Irvindra Naidoo and George Sebulela, pose for a photograph after meeting in Sandton, Gauteng.
Dr Iqbal Survé (fourth from left) with members of the BRICS Business Council in Sandton, in June 2018.

Survé was also appointed co-chair of the BRICS Media Forum, a body formed to coordinate and cooperate in telling stories of developing nations via media organisations of BRICS countries.[47]

Survé was appointed to the board of the Belt and Road News Network Council linked to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that was initiated by China’s President Xi Jinping to push for infrastructure-driven investment spanning across Africa, Asia and Europe.[48] Survé serves as the Chairman of the Belt and Road Fund for Africa.[49]

Recognition

In 2006, the JSE-listed Sekunjalo Investments (now AEEI) led by Survé received the Financial Mail Top Empowerment Companies Award. Sekunjalo’s overall BEE score came in at 76,44%, while its preferential procurement spend stood at 10,5% and economic interest at 54%. For employment equity it achieved 9,1%.[50]

Survé was awarded the Sakeleier van die Jaar (Business Leader of the Year) in 2007 jointly by Afrikaans newspaper Die Burger and the Kaapse Sakekamer, a network managed by the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut which historically supported Afrikaner businesses.[51][52][53]

In 2008 and 2011, Survé received the Director's Award for his contribution to tertiary education by the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business.[3] Survé served as a member of the Governors Committee of the UCT Foundation Trust whose role was envisaged as to advise on fundraising matters. He also served as Chair of the Advisory Board of UCT’s GSB.[54]

In 2013, Survé was named by London-based New African Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans in business, citing his achievements as a "campaigner for freedom, medical doctor and entrepreneur".[18]

Survé was awarded Businessperson of the Year 2013 at the Minara Chamber of Commerce Recognition Awards.[55][56]

In 2019, Survé was presented with Spain's International Friendship Award by Queen Letizia of Spain, in recognition of his efforts to foster Africa and world relations, focusing on the promotion of entrepreneurship, communications, social commitment and to end prejudice.[57][58]

In June 2023, Survé was honoured with Russian Foreign Ministry's medal for cooperation, presented to him by Sergey Lavrov in Cape Town. Lavrov recognised Survé for his contribution to BRICS.[59]

Philanthropy

Following the 2023 earthquake in Türkiye, Survé Philanthropies donated R15 million worth of aid in the form of tents, clothing, blankets, gas heaters and other items. The aid was handed over to the Turkish Consul General in Cape Town, Sinan Yeşildağ on 14 April 2023.[60]

References

  1. ↑ Stammers, Robbie (5 December 2017). "Is there a Doctor Tech Billionaire in the House". FastCompany South Africa. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  2. ↑ "Dr Iqbal Survé". Sekunjalo Investment Holdings. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Dr Iqbal Survé | Our people". Independent Media. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  4. ↑ Crotty, Ann (13 March 2020). "PIC and Sekunjalo: a bizarre, value-destroying relationship". Moneyweb. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  5. ↑ Pauw, Jacques. "The breathtaking 'revelations' of Survé's media mob". Vrye Weekblad (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  6. ↑ Hogg, Alec (25 July 2022). "Lies and secrets alive and well in South Africa". BizNews.com. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  7. ↑ Haffajee, Ferial. "Ferial Haffajee: Iqbal Survé and how not to lead". Business. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  8. ↑ "Dasnois papers: Survé made rants and threats". News24. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  9. ↑ Davis, Rebecca (4 November 2019). "Paper Tiger: When media transformation is a farce". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  10. ↑ Dasnois, Alide. "EXTRACT 'Paper Tiger' by Alide Dasnois and Chris Whitfield". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  11. ↑ Cronje, Jan. "State asset manager applies to liquidate Sekunjalo Independent Media". Business. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  12. ↑ "Iqbal Survé's ritzy Silo apartment buying spree". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  13. ↑ Hogg, Alec (18 February 2019). "Ed Herbst: The 'New Dawn' shines more brightly". BizNews.com. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  14. ↑ Cronje, Jan. "Union in court to get R300m back from Iqbal Survé-linked Sekunjalo Independent Media". Business. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  15. ↑ Paton, Carol (1 November 2018). "Iqbal Surve fails to make debt repayment to PIC". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  16. ↑ amaBhungane, Dewald van Rensburg for (29 August 2021). "Dr Dan Matjila's secret deal to make Iqbal Survé's R700m debt to PIC disappear". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  17. 1 2 3 "Iqbal Survé". World Economic Forum. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  18. 1 2 african, New (25 November 2013). "New African Magazine 100 Most Influential Africans - Business". New African Magazine. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  19. 1 2 Hill, Linda A; Stecker, Emily (April 2007). "Dr. Iqbal Survé at Sekunjalo Investment Group (A): Harvard Business School Case 407-019" (Revised March 2008 ed.). Harvard Business School. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  20. 1 2 "Dr Iqbal Survé". Sekunjalo Holdings. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  21. ↑ Groenewald, Adriaan; Mnyandu, Ellis (13 February 2014). "The man who wants to change the world". Business Report. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  22. ↑ Herbst, Ed (5 November 2019). "The Paper Tiger's echo-chamber roar – Iqbal Survé laid bare". BizNews.
  23. 1 2 3 Bell, Terry (30 June 2016). "The invisible Dr Survé". Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  24. 1 2 EPISODE 484| Dr Survé on Nelson Mandela, Mainstream Media, Banks, Cyril Ramaphosa, BRICS , Money, retrieved 25 August 2023
  25. ↑ Mashigo, Lehlohonolo (25 August 2023). "Dr Iqbal Survé chills with podcaster MacG". The Star. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  26. ↑ Mikva, Keren (4 March 2015). "12 Things You Didn't Know About Media Mogul Iqbal Survé". Moguldom. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  27. ↑ Bell, Terry (4 August 2017). "That "other Mandela doctor" is at it again". News24. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  28. ↑ Herbst, Ed (27 July 2017). "Burying the Iqbal Survé "struggle doctor" myth". BizNews. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  29. ↑ "For the record". Ahmed Kathrada Foundation. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  30. ↑ van Rensburg, Dewald (18 February 2022). "Strike three: Is Iqbal Survé finally unbankable?". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  31. ↑ Cronje, Jan. "Standard Bank also dropping Iqbal Survé's Sekunjalo group as a client". Business. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  32. ↑ Cohen, Tim (21 December 2022). "Iqbal Survé's Sekunjalo Development Foundation linked to EU scandal". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  33. ↑ Sekunjalo (16 February 2023). "Aitj fight impunity | belgio". Sekunjalo Investment Holdings. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  34. ↑ "Sekunjalo finalises INMSA purchase". iol.co.za Website. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  35. ↑ Myburgh, James (11 January 2015). "How independent is Independent News & Media? Not very ..." Rand Daily Mail. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  36. ↑ de Vos, Dirk (8 January 2019). "GEPF's R1bn Independent write-off, part of a bigger, Survé-sized problem". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  37. ↑ Mahlangu, Sifiso. "PIC move on Sekunjalo Independent Media 'an attack on media and black people'". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  38. ↑ Staff Reporter, IOL (19 September 2016). "Clinton initiative honours Indy's chairman". IOL. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  39. ↑ "Iqbal Survé - User Profile". AGLN - Aspen Global Leadership Network. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  40. ↑ "SA, Saudi Arabia explore business opportunities | SAnews". www.sanews.gov.za. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  41. ↑ "SA-IT-Summit-General-Presentation". The European House - Ambrosetti. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  42. ↑ "South Africa-Italy Summit opens in Cape Town". www.agi.it. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  43. ↑ "Insights from the Other Davos". Cape Times. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  44. 1 2 award, international friendship (9 November 2019). "Dr Iqbal Survé". International Friendship Award. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  45. ↑ Senekal de Wet, Adri (26 January 2017). "Sharing a noble cause". Business Report. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  46. ↑ "Indian-origin businessman appointed head of South Africa's BRICS Business Council". The Times of India. 31 March 2017. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  47. ↑ "Calls for BRICS media to tell the story of developing countries | SAnews". www.sanews.gov.za. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  48. ↑ Dr. Iqbal Survé discusses the Belt and Road initiative, retrieved 26 August 2023
  49. ↑ OBOReurope (18 July 2019). "A New Belt and Road Fund for Africa". OBOReurope. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  50. ↑ "Sekunjalo snaps up top BEE award". The Mail & Guardian. 8 March 2006. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  51. ↑ "Survé wins business leader award". www.news.uct.ac.za. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  52. ↑ "Sakebanket". Kaapstad Sakekamer. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  53. ↑ "Agtergrond". Kaapstad Sakekamer. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  54. ↑ "Iqbal Surve dumps UCT over 'lip service'". The Mail & Guardian. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  55. ↑ Zoutnet (29 November 2013). "Zohra receives Minara award for helping poor". Zoutpansberger. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  56. ↑ "Bigwigs who do the business". Sunday Tribune. 1 December 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  57. ↑ gecko (30 October 2019). "Spain´s Queen Letizia presents the International Friendship Award at IESE". Mediaroom. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  58. ↑ "Survé gets top award". www.dailyvoice.co.za. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  59. ↑ Felix, Jason. "Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, presents medal to Iqbal Survé, the 'legend'". News24. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  60. ↑ Majiba, Ntsika (15 April 2023). "Sekunjalo Group and Survé Philanthropies donate R15 million to earthquake survivors in Türkiye". Weekend Argus. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
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