Page 81 - KZN Top Business LEADERS-eBook

ANDRZEJ KIEPIELA

ndrzej Kiepiela was born in Poland in the cracy. I’ve seen the ravages and the destruction of 21 years until the Covid-19 pandemic forced us to
1950s and spent the first 21 years of his communism in Poland and Eastern Europe. When pause.” Through the African Renaissance, issues
life in a communist state. Reflecting on his I came to South Africa, I saw that apartheid was such as youth unemployment and education were
Apast, Andrzej states, “I came to South Africa no better.” This realisation led him to become an addressed, and a platform for South African and
in 1974 and lived under apartheid for a third of my active participant in the country’s transition to international artists was provided.
life, and under democracy for the last 30 years.” This democracy. “Whenever there was an opportunity
unique exposure to three vastly different systems, to reach out and make a difference, that became FOCUSING ON POSITIVES
communism, apartheid, and democracy, has shaped my motivating factor,” he explains.
his understanding of life, history, and business. When asked about the best advice he has received,
Andrzej finds it challenging to pinpoint a single Andrzej recalls a profound statement from the late
Andrzej’s journey to South Africa was not without accomplishment in his life. However, he says. “I regard Nic Labuschagne: “It’s not what you know, it’s not
difficulty. He recounts, “I got my degree at twelve my major achievement as my ability to learn English, who you know, it’s who knows you.” He reflects,
o’clock on the day of my departure with the help of a foreign language to me, and use that language to “That was always a reminder for me when I thought
some sympathetic professors. By two o’clock, I was create platforms for progressive people in politics, I was a big fish.”
on a train to Austria, avoiding any police or army business, and life to enhance humanity.” Once Andrzej
who might have prevented me from leaving for was able to communicate properly, communication Discussing the biggest challenge he faced, Andrzej
South Africa.” became part of his life and work, which is where his says, “There was a time when I was seen by the
life’s passion and dedication is focused. black community as a positive thinker and by the
His first job was with his uncle’s construction company conservative white community as someone working
in Pietermaritzburg; his uncle, who was Andrzej’s NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS against them.” He recounts promoting the idea of
sponsor, provided him with employment for a year. opening beaches in Durban, against the advice of
Andrzej went on to teach at Glenwood High School Reflecting on milestones, he cites his work at the then-mayor. “Together with the secretary of
and was later recruited by the then University of Natal the University of Natal, where he helped create Cosatu, we orchestrated visits by black South Africans
as a sports director. “I raised quite a lot of money for two major athletics events in the country. At the to the beaches that were still officially closed,” he
sports, and the rector suggested I start a foundation,” Durban Publicity Association, he promoted the city remembers, adding that this act helped to challenge
he says, recounting his move to the public affairs through initiatives like the Easter Fiesta and the July the status quo and promote inclusivity.
department, the creation of a foundation and his Handicap Festival of Racing. Andrzej was recognised
success in fundraising. for this role as the Marketing Man of the Year in For Andrzej, inspiration comes from the issues he
South Africa by South African Airways and South confronts. He states, “My biggest satisfaction is
AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT African Tourism, even beating Sol Kerzner! looking at a room of people arguing and finding
the common thing they can support.” He believes
Andrzej’s career took a significant turn when One of his most notable accomplishments is in focusing on the positives while addressing the
he became the director of the Durban Publicity becoming the Honorary Consul of Poland after negatives, a strategy he has applied in resolving
Association in 1984, a role that positioned him at initially being seen as an undesirable in his native disputes and attaining positive results or progress
the centre of the exciting time of political change country. “Twenty years ago, I was offered the role of over the years.
in South Africa. Honorary Consul of Poland by the then President and
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland,” Andrzej shares, Looking ahead, Andrzej remains optimistic about
During his tenure, he played a key role in facilitating adding that he served as the Dean of the Diplomatic the future, despite the challenges the country has
meetings between various political parties, Corps in KwaZulu-Natal for eight years. faced. “I was a little down earlier in the year, but
including the African National Congress, United the outcome of the recent elections has lifted my
Democratic Front and the National Party. “I arranged Andrzej also highlights his role in establishing spirits,” he shares. He believes that common sense
the first meetings and coordinated the logistics, the KwaZulu-Natal Growth Coalition in 1998, will prevail across the political spectrum and sees
which led to the formation of Operation Jumpstart,” which is aimed at fostering collaboration between this as an opportunity for South Africa to recalibrate
Andrzej notes, highlighting the sponsorship and businesses, the KwaZulu-Natal government and key and create a modern political and economic system.
support of top CEOs in KwaZulu-Natal to manage municipalities to support economic development.
the political transition with an emphasis on local Andrzéj’s personal motto reflects his enduring
government. In addition, Andrzej played an administrative role optimism: “The glass is always half full, not half
in forming the African Renaissance initiative after empty.” He concludes, “When I am doubtful or
Reflecting on his motivation, Andrzej says, “My Thabo Mbeki called for a Renaissance of the African upset, I remind myself of this, and I even teach it to
obvious motivation was always to promote demo- continent,” he explains. “We ran the initiative for my grandchildren.”
79