Page 20 - KZN Business Sense- Vol5 No4

A VISIONARY, AND SO MUCH MORE... IMTIAZ SOOLIMAN

David White, know I was to hear one of the most on Thursday 6th August 1992. efficient “Healing Centres.” He Through the influence of
Chairperson, exciting and positive messages and Wonderfully significant is the said his vision came at 4.30am Gift of the Givers, he is able
BusinessFit entrepreneurial ideas I had heard instruction he received to serve one morning, and by 5am he had to draw international doctors
in a very long time. in this new capacity was given in “down-loaded” in his mind the to South Africa to support the
Turkish, a language Imtiaz does
full blue prints on how to lead,
humanitarian crises of our
A s a and I spoke on WhatsApp. I not speak, but he understood structure and secure the future public sector hospitals at low
Late the evening before, Imtiaz
mentor in
cost. This will have the effect of
of medical treatment in South
exactly what the Master said,
was on a conference call with
BusinessFit I the South African Chamber of and immediately turned his life’s Africa. The vision came just a lowering costs of government
and medical aid expenditure...
thoughts and actions to the call
few weeks ago, and since that
am constantly Commerce (SACC) in London, to serve humanity. moment he has spoken to CEOs where funds not applied to
meeting where BusinessFit has a seat from medical aid companies, doctors’ fees will be able to be
extraordinary on the executive. The SACC After listening to Imtiaz for 30 the many influential leaders used to upgrade facilities, and to
people and executive team were discussing or 40 minutes, the lives of those from the medical and business pay forward into other hospitals
hearing their and considering interesting and present were changed forever. communities. He said people requiring attention. Imtiaz, a
amazing inspirational speaker options to He is a giant among men, and an hearing his transformation plan highly competent medical doctor
ideas of how help SACC members in London example to all what passion and were ‘blown away’ by the vision’s himself, understands that as
they aim to keep abreast of important and purpose can achieve. But there was simplicity and clarity. much as 60% of healing comes
make a positive contribution to the motivational initiatives so much more we learned from from patients being in a healthy
economy ... and help move South happening in South Africa. My Imtiaz as he shared stories of the The man himself will be the and comforting environment.
Africa forward. suggestion was that Imtiaz share magnificent work South African bearer of the micro details of the
his story with SACC members process, but he will not mind Hospital administration is the key
Most days, I feel I have the how Gift of the Givers came rescue teams do in crisis situations me sharing that he knows the focus in the transformation process,
best job anyone could ever wish about, and of the magnificent across the world. transformation of our public and Imtiaz saw in his vision,
for ... and then, on top of that, work he and his team of capable, South Africans are known hospitals is possible based on himself and a core team working on
there are extraordinary days determined South Africans do internationally as hard working, three important aspects. First, one hospital first, then flowing with
where spending time with the around the world. It’s hard to committed, and pioneering “make the confidence he has gained the momentum and experiences
“entrepreneurial elite” - the comprehend that Gift of the a plan and make it work” people. through the work Gift of the learned, to all other government
gladiators of innovation and Givers, since it started in 1992, In rescue situations, everyone Givers has done in 43 countries; hospitals in South Africa.
change. These are the visionaries. has done rescue work in 43 is more relaxed and confident second, the connections he has
countries, and delivered value of when the South African teams made in his years of working His compelling presence
A short while ago I met with and passion, coupled with his
one such visionary. The mighty R2.8bn. arrive. Although involved in in the medical field, and the amazing ‘personal experience’
Imtiaz Sooliman himself. He was I met Imtiaz at the Standard rescue situations worldwide, way international doctors and stories, transforms and
in Durban for two consecutive Bank KZN Top Business in recent years much attention medical staff are drawn to the revitalizes people. 
days to spend time with his family. Gala Evening in 2018. He was has been focused on providing humanitarian work associated
This is unusual, because Imtiaz awarded the KZN Top Business support in South Africa. This with Gift of the Givers; third, For more information please contact
is constantly travelling. We met Personality Award, and shared includes rescue services in the his faith in God and people’s Tel: +27 (0)31 767 0625
at Gift of the Givers Durban his story about Gift of the Knysna fires, drilling for water ability to “dig deep” and rise E-mail: info@businessfit.co.za
Website: www.businessfit.co.za
office. There was no shortage of Givers’ inspired beginning. He and providing people and above seemingly paralyzing
energy points and discussion was instructed by Sufi Spiritual animals with food in Sutherland, situations. Imtiaz said where
flowed as we shared our passion Master Muhammad Safer and saving Grahamstown and people are stressed and situations
for transformation, human Efendi in Istanbul, Turkey, to surrounds from being wiped out urgent, they reach deeper into
preservation and development. set up the Gift of the Givers by a devastating drought earlier their faith and this is where
It felt like one of those meetings organisation. He remembers this year. transformation and improved
that was pre-ordained, my own this moment exactly, and recalls At our meeting we spoke about health and circumstances
free time due to the last-minute that the message from the Imtiaz’s new vision: to restore become achievable.
cancellation of a meeting. I did not Master came to him at 10pm public hospitals to effective and

Imtiaz Sooliman and David White at the KZN Top Business Awards evening in 2018

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