Page 63 - KZN Leaders Portfolio E-BOOK 2107

CEO of FutureLife
Growing the supply chain is close to Saad’s heart as
AUL SAAD, FutureLife’s CEO said, “I am this would be in keeping with his original intentions
humbled that FutureLife is now recognised as for the product. Saad said that he is an altruist at
the number one health brand in South Africa.” heart, who is not necessarily motivated by profit but by
P FutureLife is a proudly KwaZulu-Natal brand, humanitarian causes. His aim is to make a difference in
which has been born and developed in the Province. people’s lives by supplying a product that can improve
the health and well-being of everyone. He said, “Much
Saad, a philanthropist and entrepreneur, founded of FutureLife‘s value is in that its success transcends
FutureLife in 2007 and the company is celebrating its profit.” The product was primarily intended as a social
10th year of operation in 2017. FutureLife is a smart project to help improve the lives of malnourished and
food company that has become synonymous with disadvantaged people in sub-Saharan Africa.
healthy on-the-go lifestyle products.
Saad believes that his company’s achievements
Considered a nutraceutical, FutureLife is South are based on both his desire to succeed and his
Africa’s first and only scientifically formulated, enjoyment of overcoming challenges. His advice to
balanced, nutrient dense food to contain Moducare, other entrepreneurs is that you have to know your
a daily immune supplement under license by Aspen own mind and that you must not let others easily
Pharmacare. Currently, the FutureLife range consists of influence your decisions.
functional breakfast products, breads, bars and drinks.
The FutureLife Foundation Trust was established in
Saad said, “The product is very well accepted and October 2014. The nonprofit organisation currently
has become recognised for its healthy properties. distributes about 150 000 meals a month in KwaZulu-
FutureLife is enjoyed by a diverse consumer group Natal, as well as in other parts of South Africa.
from sports persons, to diabetics to those suffering The majority of the meals are distributed to early
from immune deficiency.” childhood development centres and used to feed
The company has seen enviable growth since its malnourished children.
start in 2007. However, since 2011 this growth has DuPont, together with FutureLife, has developed a
been exponential. In 2015, FutureLife underwent a dual plastic pouch compartment containing powder
restructuring process and entered into a joint venture and water. This packaging, counters the problems of
with Pioneer Foods. An important aspect of this providing clean water, as well as refrigeration. Breaking
collaboration was to ensure the vision of growing and the seal between the compartments allows the contents
diversifying the company’s product range.
to be mixed and easily consumed as a shake.
Of importance is that FutureLife does not use The FutureLife brand now has the opportunity to
genetically modified organisms (GMO) in its products. establish itself in new markets. Plans include looking
Saad said that company had embraced the use of non- for a new manufacturing site to cope with growth of
GMOs at considerable cost but believed that this was the product volume and range. “In addition, we intend
necessary to satisfy consumers’ needs. FutureLife was to grow our distribution into Africa including the
the first company in the functional food market in South Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Africa to make the move to non-GMO products. and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern
Saad would like to increase the provision of non- Africa (COMESA) regions. We are also looking at
GMO maize and soya through utilising subsistence taking the product into the United Kingdom, Australia
farmers as part of the supply chain. He said, “Farmers and India.”
would be guaranteed an off-take of their products, Saad said, “It has been an inspiration of mine to
which is crucial to their success.” be involved in a project that makes a difference
He added, “Of necessity investment in farming to people’s lives. I feel that those in need deserve
infrastructure has been required, notably the something that I would feed my children and that I
construction of non-GMO silos.” FutureLife has had would eat on a daily basis.”
to build their own silo to avoid contamination from He concluded, “It has been my dream that the
genetically modified produce, but additional ones are benefits of FutureLife can be enjoyed by millions
necessary to facilitate logistics as well growth in the around the world for a better future life.”
supply chain.”

61