Page 42 - World Airnews Magazine April 2021

FEATURE

leaving the continent in a complicated Africa. People who sacrifice everything and develop more healthy and prosperous

environment in which to chart its own they have to help others, from the humble

course. village to the highest positions in the land, societies. So, logically, as an industrialist

and social entrepreneur I am always on the

That is why I have substantially increased there are so many thousands we never hear lookout for opportunities to do just that.

my efforts to assist governments in about. That is what humbles me deeply. Perhaps I should just say I am wired that

providing security for their citizens, through I am privileged to have the opportunities way.
the supply of equipment and world-class that millions of others do not have. I try to Africa provides many such

training across a wide range of disciplines. do my best with these opportunities, and opportunities for those willing to

This is critical if the African Union’s goal find myself honoured for doing so. I much listen and learn from the people in
of “Silencing the Guns” by 2030 is to be appreciate it, but in my heart of hearts I
achieved. Without peace and security no know there are so many others who are local communities, and in national
governments. With this in mind, I think
socio-economic development is possible, much more deserving than I am. Africa is the most exciting continent to

and accordingly that has to be the starting live and work in.
point in bringing greater stability to the IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT YOU HAVE
continent. We have also invested heavily MADE THE GOOD NEWS STORIES LAST YEAR THE ICHIKOWITZ FAMILY

in environmental and wildlife protection, OF AFRICA A PRIORITY IN YOUR FOUNDATION COMMISSIONED A

to mitigate some of the effects of climate BUSINESS LIFE AND THIS ALIGNS STUDY OF THE CONTINENT’S YOUTH.
change, and to ensure that forests and land WITH THE SAME ETHOS OF WORLD CAN YOU TELL ME A BIT ABOUT HOW

are conserved for food production for a AIRNEWS MAGAZINE. CAN YOU YOU WENT ABOUT COLLECTING THE
growing population. SHARE YOUR THINKING BEHIND DATA, WHAT DEMOGRAPHICS DID

THIS CHOSEN PATH?

To satisfy my own curiosity, and to YOU TARGET AND WHAT SOME OF
demonstrate to the doubters, I also I think I have already answered this, at THE STATISTICS?
commissioned the first Africa Youth Survey least partly. I am by nature an optimist, We surveyed 14 Sub-Saharan countries

to see if my optimistic view of the continent and that makes me an Afro-optimist. interviewing more than 4200 18-24 year

would be backed up by the science. I come from a background that sees olds.
This was a major undertaking, and I am the building of commercial enterprises as We commissioned an international

delighted by the results. a social good: the creation of economic research and polling company, PSB

activities that serve the needs of
WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE communities; provide jobs, training, and Research to conduct the research through

NEWS OF THE AWARD? incomes to people who otherwise would in-depth face-to-face interviews. This is the

Much as it is an honour, of course, I am have few prospects to better their lives; most comprehensive research of Africa’s
youth to date.

motivated by the many unsung heroes of help countries to rise up the value chain

The N-Raven family of
autonomous, multi-mission

aerial vehicles featuring next
generation ‘swarm’ technologies

to accomplish numerous missions
with pinpoint precision, debuted
at the 2021 International Defence

Exhibition and Conference (IDEX

2021) held in Abu Dhabi

World Airnews | April 2021
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