Anton Rupert is a remarkably gifted man who built a global empire from humble beginnings. The biography by Ebbe Dommisse & Willie Esterhuse is a landmark book on of the 20th century's leading entrepreneurs. At over 400 pages this is not a quick read with the small typeface and references.
Overall I highly recommend this biography for aspiring entrepreneurs. As a South African I felt warm and fuzzy on many passages about companies and brands I got to know over the years like the cigarette and alcohol brands as well as other investments made along the way. Portions of the writing goes a long way to show how Anton Rupert stood against Apartheid. He negotiated unsuccessfully with several Prime Ministers on various aspects affecting the other racial groups in South Africa.
Moreover his business acumen and building up of the Rembrandt & Richemont group of companies, he will be remembered as a pioneer in wildlife conversation. He was a close friend of Prince Bernhard & Prince Philip in establishing the World Wildlife Fund. In Southern Africa he was responsible for the Peace Parks initiatives supported by former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki enthusiastically.
With humble beginnings in Graaf Reinet in the Eastern Cape, Anton Rupert rose to a leadership among Afrikaans business people and eventually globally. What amazed me was how he seemed to have access highly profile people like David Rockefeller and the Rothschild family. It would be safe to say that the Rupert family along with the Oppenheimer were the godfathers of South African business during the 20th century.
His son, Johann Rupert, is about to retire as CEO. It seems unlikely he will achieve as much as his father did in almost 90 years. With their complex trusts and companies structures, the Rupert family will remain in controlling position like Raymond Ackerman's family in the Pick-n-Pay group.
