Bring South Africans Home

“It’s easy for people to criticize. There’s a lot wrong with South Africa, but prior to 1994, we could have been in the middle of a civil war. This left people with two choices: pack their bags and go or stay and improve the country.

Emigrating takes skills and money away from South Africa and invests it in another country. If everyone put back just a little, it won’t happen overnight, South Africa can become one of the best countries in the world. There is a future here for our children and grandchildren if we work towards improving our country.

My son is spending his gap year in Australia, but I tease him that if he doesn’t come back, I will disinherit him.

Individuals and businesses should give back to society through social responsibility initiatives.

I have a different view to black economic empowerment (BEE). I believe that BEE at the shareholder level is not going to uplift the previously disadvantaged. Housing and job creation will transform the community. Madison funds are not interested in just earning BEE points, we would rather do the right thing and help people. A trust should be set up when BEE deals are drawn up, so that each company has money from which to contribute to the improvement of the country through CSI activity. This works because we won’t take from the shareholders twice. If enough corporates do this, we can be a force for change. Sometimes government must follow and not just lead.

I come from a humble background. My parents had a fishery in Yeoville. We were a middle class family. I did not go to university. I joined the family business after school, until my dad was too sick to run the shop so we sold it. I then wanted to get a job where there was no boss telling me what to do all the time and checking what time I took my lunch break, so in the 70s I became a shopping centre manager at the first mall in South Africa, Kempton City. I was promoted to head office and enjoyed it until the company went under. Then a few of my colleagues and I started a property company, and I never looked back. I am so lucky to have found what I am good and enjoy. I know that it can happen to anyone in this country, and that is why I am so committed to giving back.

I was given opportunities in this country which led me to where I am today. I love the people here, they are so full of soul, they are passionate and talented. Overseas managers are only given specialised portfolios to manage, and in SA we have many portfolios, which gives us broad experience, and we have a great work ethic. This makes us generally successful even if we leave SA.

Wainer says people are moving around for economic reasons these days. Even those born overseas do not stay in the country they were born in. “So what is the point of relocating and sacrificing to start a new life in Australia when, like my friend, three of your four children settle in different countries around the world for work and then you don’t have the money to travel and see them that often.”

Wainer says technology has certainly made the world a smaller place, and it is much easier to keep in touch and to visit these days, but it is not the same as living close to your children and watching your grandchildren growing up.

When people emigrate they also lose their contacts. We don’t realize how big our networks have become until we leave and have to start from scratch.

At the moment, our economy is booming and construction is at an all time high, this means huge opportunities are being created.

Affirmative action is often used as an excuse for mediocre people not to find work: if you are good at your career you will succeed no matter what your race, and there is a skill shortage at the moment.

The black middle class is growing, which is boosting the economy even further. In twenty year’s time these voters will not see colour and the struggle comrades as obstacles to voting for a political party that will deliver. Our job is to ensure these people, who make up 45% of our population, are assisted in getting education and jobs.

Unfortunately crime remains a major issue, but I think if we had draconian anti-bribery and corruption legislation which was enforced without exception, there would be a fear and respect for the law. The police are not there to stop crime, their job is to enforce the law.

Hospitals administration should be outsourced on a contract basis with government.

Wainer has two daughters and a son of his own, and two step-daughters. All of them are well-educated and working in their chosen careers. One of his daughters is a lawyer, the other a clinical psychologist. Both stepdaughters are teachers. His son has just completed his BA (Hon’s) in strategic management.

When his daughter was doing her masters in psychology in Australia because she could not get into the course in South Africa, she met her husband. Wainer persuaded them to come back and settle in South Africa. He makes sure his children are comfortable here with cars and houses because he says, “I am selfish. I want my grandchildren around me. My children are doing well in business here, so we all win”.

To relax, Wainer reads, and watches cricket, rugby, soccer and most other sports on television. He used to be a competitive bowls player, but has decided to devote his weekends to spending time with his wife Lesley, children and grandchildren. He has seven already and one is on the way in November. Every Sunday, his daughters and grandchildren get together for a family breakfast, and this year 21 members of the Wainer family went on a Mediterranean cruise together. “Family is paramount: Otherwise what are you working for?”

Wainer loves to travel. He says he would not live anywhere else but he enjoys visiting New York and London.

Wainer is proud of the role he played in facilitating two major transactions for MaAfrika Tikkun with ApexHi and Redefine for Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) equity allocations.