Page 89 - KZN Top Business LEADERS-eBook

PRASHEEN MAHARAJ

rasheen Maharaj, the chief executive officer to align ourselves with the economic development In business, one of his toughest challenges came
and owner of Sandock Austral Shipyards, goals of the country.” His leadership is characterised during the state capture years in South Africa. “The
leads the largest shipyard in southern Africa. by a commitment to addressing unemployment, Guptas wanted a slice of every state contract, and
PIn addition, Prasheen serves as the president inequality, and poverty, and by striving to make we refused to participate. It was soul-destroying,
of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry South Africa a manufacturing nation. but in the end, I can still hold my head high in
and South Africa’s Maritime Industry Development society and say, despite that biggest challenge,
Network, reflecting his broader influence in the One of Prasheen’s proudest accomplishments is despite not paying the bribes, we survived, and we
business and maritime sectors. his role as the sole shareholder, alongside the prospered,” Prasheen recalls with pride.
Workers Empowerment Trust, of Sandock Austral
Prasheen’s upbringing was shaped by the realities Shipyards. Under his leadership, the shipyard has TEAM MOTIVATION
of Apartheid-era South Africa. He grew up in a achieved remarkable feats, including building the
formerly Indian suburb, where he attended Pollock largest and most complex hydrographic vessel in Prasheen motivates his team with a realistic and
Primary School and later, New West Secondary for the world. “We’re the only company on the African resilient approach to business. He often reminds
high school. Despite the challenging circumstances, continent to have ever refitted a modern navy them that business, like life, is a roller coaster with
he was determined to pursue higher education. frigate,” he says proudly. ups and downs. He emphasises the company’s
“Coming from an extremely disadvantaged back- values acronym, SPEAR: Safety, Perseverance, Excel-
ground, up until the age of 16, I grew up in a house Prasheen’s contributions to the maritime industry lence, Achievement, and Reward. “I remind them
with over 40 people, one bathroom, and two outside have not gone unnoticed. Two years ago, he that our good days are coming, so you need to
toilets. I know the struggle of poverty,” Prasheen was honoured with the inaugural Blue Oceans persevere and don’t give up,” he advises.
reflects. Economy Champion award, recognising his
impact on South Africa’s maritime economy. On He draws inspiration from Warren Buffett, who built
He went on to study at the University of Natal, where a personal level, Prasheen takes immense pride his business slowly and steadily, without taking
he earned a BCom degree. Recognising the value of in his family, particularly in providing his children unnecessary risks. “He just used common business
continuous learning, he later completed an MBA. with opportunities he never had. “For me, to raise sense. And let the compounding effect make him
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Prasheen used a happy, healthy family and to be able to give my extremely wealthy. I take great inspiration from that
the opportunity to further his education, earning a children and my wife the best opportunities in the kind of business philosophy. I want to ensure the
master’s degree in supply chain management from world, that makes me very proud,” he shares. sustainability of my business so I can preserve and
the University of London and another in strategy create more jobs.”
from the University of Portsmouth. Speaking of his mentors, Prasheen says that he
has had numerous sources of inspiration over the Prasheen’s vision extends beyond his business.
CONSCIOUS CAPITALISM years. However, he believes the best advice he He believes in the potential of partnerships to
received was from his late business partner Don address the challenges facing KwaZulu-Natal and
Prasheen’s career began modestly, with his first South Africa. “My vision is to create a genuine co-
job at 12 years old, handing out pamphlets. After Mkhwanazi who told him, ‘Don’t associate yourself operative and collaborative partnership between
completing his university education in 1996, he with mediocrity’. “From that day, in all that I do, the private sector and government at the local and
landed a two-year internship in merchant and whether it’s in business or whether it’s in personal provincial levels to work together as a patriotic
investment banking through a Black graduate or whether it’s my philanthropic endeavours, I team,” he asserts.
management development programme. This pro- always strive for excellence because when you do
gramme was part of South Africa’s efforts to I think the result is always good. I will treasure that He emphasizes the importance of the Zulu concept
integrate previously disadvantaged people into bit of advice.” of Ubuntu – “I am because you are” – as a guiding
the mainstream economy, particularly in sectors Prasheen’s journey has not been without challenges. principle for fostering mutual support. Prasheen
like financial services, merchant banking, and He cites overcoming the “poverty mindset” as one of is committed to ensuring that Sandock Austral
asset management. Shipyards and other businesses contribute positively
his personal hurdles. “You have to convince yourself to society while remaining globally competitive.
Over the years, Prasheen climbed the corporate you are good enough to go to university and earn
ladder, driven by a philosophy he describes as this degree. Even today, I still don’t truly believe I be- In conclusion he says, “The biggest thing in life
“conscious capitalism.” He explains, “In business, long where I am,” he admits. However, this mindset is that people give up. They go to 90% there and
everything I do is about doing it for the greater keeps him grounded and grateful. “Every day I ex- they don’t see through the last 10% because they
good. The driving force is to ensure that our press gratitude in the naivest fashion possible. I think think they won’t make it. My motto is ‘In the end,
country, graduates, and employees have hope, and when the universe feels my gratitude, it gives more.” everything is OK. If it’s not OK, it’s not the end’.”
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