LECTURE BY BHEKI KHUMALO, CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF THE NWDC, AT THE BLACK MANAGEMENT FORUM,  STUDENT CHAPTER HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE NORTH WEST, MAFIKENG CAMPUS, MAHIKENG, 04 SEPTEMBER 2013

Download the full lecture by clicking on the link:

May I begin by thanking the leadership of the BMF for inviting me to address you this afternoon. This invitation took me by surprise as I effectively retired from the public spotlight when I went into the private sector for the fourth time almost two years ago.

I saw enough of public life, to be sure. I saw Presidents made and unmade.  I saw democracy arrive and live on.  I saw communities served and unserved.   I can assure you that I am happily ensconced in what I think is my spiritual home, the business world, interacting frequently with the media.  Borrowing thoughts from the American writer and wit, Mark Twain (when talking of his finally expiring) I can say that any reports of my being involved in political affairs again would be greatly exaggerated, even if I am originally from Nkandla!

As we know,  private sector executives are prone to disappear from public view for long periods, beavering away, to emerge when they release results of their various companies, which are either hailed or damned, depending on the soaring improvements or dire damage done to their bottom line – and, of course, shareholders’ pockets. Nevertheless, I am in the fortunate position of not being an executive charged with this kind of exercise otherwise I would probably not have accepted the honour of addressing you this afternoon.

Public space is an arena I have taken a deliberate decision to leave to the people who are best placed to occupy it such as politicians and comedians for they are not only good at it, but they both seem to excel there.  In South Africa, they set a cracking pace, adding intensity, vigour and even humour to our robust debates.  It is good to be a citizen of this thrusting, sport-mad, slightly wild society.

Download the full lecture by clicking on the link: