Page 3 - KZN Business Sense 7.4

LIFE IS ABOUT DREAMING BIG

shok Sewnarain is lifestyle ladder will be dictated
the founder and by the first three ladders. If you
Achairman of IBV fail, you will fall off your ladder.”
International Vaults (IBV), a IBV’s customers have special,
world class and sophisticated, reserved parking close to the
privately owned safe deposit facilities and many of them drive
vaults in South Africa. exotic cars. The IBV Supercar
Sewnarain was born in Club has spun off from the vault
Mayville, Durban and his father business; has a membership of
ran a small, often struggling, more than 700 super-rich car
estate agency. When Sewnarain owners and is recognised as one
took over the family business, of the world’s leading supercar
he utilised his entrepreneurial clubs. Sewnarain is its founder,
mindset to inject new ideas leading patron and chairman.
into it, expanding into the hotel The members of the club often
and hospitality industry as the raise funds for charity. In 2014,
barriers put up by apartheid they won the Guinness world
were dismantled. record for the most number of
supercars in a charity parade
“It was around 2004 when I
overheard a bank teller saying and raising R1 million for
Child Welfare of South Africa
that there is a long waiting list
of people who wanted to put in record time. The club has
also partnered with the United
their valuables in the bank’s Nations Children’s Fund Unicef
vault. I jokingly said that I will in raising money for charity.
open my own vault,” Sewnarain L – R: Kuben Chetty, Standard Bank; Ashok Sewnarain, CEO International Vaults (IBV) – Business Personality
says with a wry smile. of the Year, and, Sharoona Sewnarain. Sewnarain commented that he
tries to create a balance between
Sewnarain began to seriously steel-reinforced concrete and ventures with honesty and good business and profit
think about opening a vault. of its proximity to significant protected by a sophisticated, respect for staff, customers, through providing community
He did extensive research, business and residential multitiered security system. suppliers and service providers.” and social support. This balance
which took him to other developments in KwaZulu- They are monitored by trained “Life is about dreaming big. is achieved by promoting a
countries to look at how the Natal. Also, the layout of the professionals 24/7. Dream to make a million spirit of social entrepreneurship,
vaults are constructed, the Gateway complex facilitates dollars, rather than a million which he believes is an
finance involved, security IBV’s strict security standards.” Sewnarain subscribes to the rand. The most successful people important aspect that every
features and a host of other “It’s a risk to have a safe at philosophy that says one should in the world dream big. It’s business leader should adopt
things. He found that there is home because many people have persevere and be determined to free. It has no boundaries and in their own enterprises. He
substantial demand for such access to your home. We offer pursue one’s dreams in whatever borders,” he explained. concluded, “The more that you
sophisticated facilities. a solution, and peace of mind. business that one chooses. He He also suggested that give the more that you get.” 
says, “Business is full of risk
In May 2005, Sewnarain We add value to the country in and challenges that we must businesspeople should visualize
opened the first private vault a sense that people can safely confront on a daily basis.” He their life as a set of ladders. One
facility in Umhlanga’s Gateway keep their gold and other added that he had had many for spirituality and health, one SCAN
Mall. Since then, IBV has grown assets in the country instead of failures in his business career, for one’s career and earnings QR CODE
exponentially and operates sending them offshore.” but all had made him more and one for investments and
branches globally in London, IBV offers safety deposit knowledgeable and humble. savings - and the final one, TO SEE
Switzerland, and Dubai. being the personal living and VIDEO
boxes in a modern-day However, in advising other
“We choose the best malls and fortresses. The vaults are built entrepreneurs, Sewnarain says, lifestyle ladder. (Open the camera on your phone and
prime spots for our vaults. Our to international standards and “You must be bold and have “If you measure these four hover steadily for 2-3 seconds over the
first site was selected because specifications, complete with courage to launch business ladders, you will find that your QR Code to see the video.)

NELSON MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY 2021

he Nelson Mandela While the Mandela Day call the systemic issues which cause robust and nutritious, capable participating malls will have
Foundation is inviting to action remains a general call food insecurity in our country. of supporting a family of five for clearly marked signage and a
Teveryone to join them on to reach out to those in need, We believe that getting this right at least a month. Mandela Day representative at
18 July as we honour Madiba’s this year, the focus will be on is fundamental to social cohesion The public is encouraged to the collection point where people
birthday by contributing to the challenge of food security. and respect for the rule of law. emulate the campaign in their can drop off their donations.
meeting the immediate needs of Before Covid-19, the statistics own ways to ensure that everyone Lastly, the public is encouraged
the most vulnerable communities. showed us that one in four Each 1 Feed 1 is a food has access to food this Mandela to register on the Mandela Day
six-year-olds in South Africa distribution network championed Day. We are inviting the public
suffered from stunting due to by the Nelson Mandela to donate to the campaign Global Network on our ForGood
malnutrition. The ravages of the Foundation that was started at via our GivenGain platform platform. Here, you will find
pre-vetted NGOs looking for
pandemic will surely worsen this the beginning of the lockdown to or by contributing to the Each
devastating reality. By harnessing support families who have been 1 Feed 1 #4Cans4MandelaDay volunteers this Mandela Month
the Each1Feed1 programme to worst affected by the challenge call to action. to safely donate time, skills, and
Mandela Day and developing of food insecurity. Beneficiaries resources. The ForGood platform
the 4Cans4MandelaDay have included child-headed Over Mandela Month, July is also an excellent portal to find
campaign, we aim to ensure that households, orphaned families, 2021, the public is encouraged ‘microvolunteering’ opportunities
basic foodstuffs reach the most the elderly, people who are to contribute to the Each 1 Feed from the convenience and safety
vulnerable communities this informally employed in the ECD 1 food distribution network of home. 
July. In the longer term, we are workforce as well as people by donating non-perishable
committed to using our research living with disabilities. The food food items at all participating To stay informed, subscribe to our
and advocacy capacity to address pack has historically been malls for Mandela Day. All newsletter from nelsonmandela.org

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