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PRAKASEN GOVENDER

rakasen Govender is group chief executive confidence and allow my true talent and abilities to high value clients and contributing to the GDP. “My
officer of several companies in the property emerge,” he explained. priority on any project is to shrink the timelines from
development and architecture industries construction to occupation to maximise the benefit
P including PGA Architects, PGA Interiors, PGA A pivotal moment in his academic journey came when to the GDP,” he explains.
Umhlanga Rocks Investments and Ridgeside Devco. a visiting lecturer, Dan Smith from the University of
Free State, provided him with a new perspective on Prakasen continues, “Every time we complete a
His formative years were spent in the hustle and architecture. Prakasen recalls, “He was trying to get build, it’s an accomplishment. Developers face many
bustle of Prince Edward Street, Durban which was us to understand how it all interrelates… He said, hurdles realising a concept into a physical building.
a melting pot of culture, art, architecture, music, ‘Don’t try to draw it neatly, sketch an idea to scale The South African local government environment
entrepreneurship and political activism in the and build a model’. And from that, the penny just is still not very development or developer friendly
1970s and 80s. He recalls, “I can say that my moral dropped because you could feel what you were despite many efforts. Bureaucracy, high interest rates
and political beliefs were shaped by the people building in terms of scale, form, space, mass, and all and the forums are some of the obstacles we face.
in the Casba comprising a mix of entrepreneurs the principles and elements of design and there was But I do it because I love what I do, I love creating
and working-class people struggling to make a no looking back after that.” beautiful spaces for people to work and live in. I
living in Apartheid South Africa and at the same love creating buildings that form part of the artistic
time fighting the good fight for fundamental From running his company as a one-man band landscape. But most of all, I believe in my country and
human rights and dignity. I am proud to say many in the basement of his dad’s home in Effingham I love my city and province and all she provides for
activists from the area have played key roles in Heights while still studying, he now operates offices us … And all the headache and heartache that goes
the post-Apartheid government.” in the major provinces. The company’s head office is into designing and developing a building is worth it.”
in Umhlanga in a building designed and developed
Prince Edward Street was a prime example of the by PGA. His diverse team of experienced architects, GREATEST INSPIRATION
work, play and live phenomenon that developers technologists, and project managers operate on a
and architects today are promoting for social very flat structure. “I sit amongst my team. They are In his personal life, Prakasen reflects on the wisdom
cohesion and quality of life. This personal experience the backbone of PGA,” he says. imparted to him by his father when he got married:
has helped shape Prakasen into a leading architect, “You now have two brains, use them wisely.” And
entrepreneur and businessman in KwaZulu-Natal. In the design environment keeping the team that he did. His greatest inspiration is his wife and
motivated can be a challenge. Prakasen’s primary business partner, Anusha, whom he met in grade
Prakasen’s first job was working for his father in the focus is ensuring that the team are happy to come eight. The couple share three children together.
family-owned Indian goods shop called Bargain to work. The week starts off with Monday morning
Centre Supermarket located in the Prince Edward breakfast and informal chats before transitioning Prakasen offers a number of adages that he lives
Street / Grey Street precinct. His weekends and school into business discussions. Staff are well informed by. The first is: ‘Just keep on walking forward’.
holidays were spent working for an allowance in the of the business activities and feel included in all The second is that there are ‘always opportunities
shop. “We worked six days a week, often 12-hour days projects in the office. He believes in the importance in problems’. The third saying is courtesy of Nelson
during the festivities period,” he recalls. “No Sunday of a balanced work-life environment, discouraging Mandela, ‘If you walk through the valley of death
work because of Apartheid policies … a small mercy,” weekend work because ‘the guys just run on empty and you have the truth on your side you will not
he says with a laugh. Prakasen credits his father for the following week’. fear anything’. “So don’t be afraid to follow your
instilling in him the value of hard work, ethics and passion,” he explains.
business acumen saying, “I admire him greatly and CREATING VALUE In conclusion, Prakasen says that his motto is:
carry the lessons I learned from him to this day. He “Never say die, just keep going and enjoy the ride.”
simply led by example.” Today, Prakasen’s primary mission is to create
employment opportunities in the built environ- He believes that people worry too much and should
PERFORM WITH CONFIDENCE ment sector, particularly for young graduates. He strive to be calm. “There’s always a solution to every
believes strongly in mentorship, a value he has problem. Remember, the sun’s going to come up the
Prakasen candidly admits that the first years at carried with him throughout his career as architect, next day. Just keep on smiling, there’s nothing else
university were a struggle. Coming from an isolated lecturer and entrepreneur. you can do. People like happy people.” He added
and segregated township environment, he found the that he firmly believes in the principle of cause and
transition to a diverse university setting challenging. His businesses have grown into significant contrib- effect. “If you say something, stick to your word. Just
“It took a few years to be able to perform with utors to the economy, with a focus on creating do the universal goodness and it all comes together.”
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