I joined the Navy after matriculating in 1957 and achieved the Navy’s worst test results to date as a Radar Operator (fortunately SA was not at war!).
I qualified as a Production Engineer and later graduated from UCT with a commercial degree. My subsequent working career focused on textiles and other businesses which I founded with my wife Shirley. We have been married for 46 years and have two children: a son of 42 and a daughter of 40, both of whom are independently successful in business in South Africa – a well knit family with constant interaction.
I founded an organisation to empower those less fortunate in our society more than 20 years ago and was invited to join the USA’s IESC (a mentorship institution: The International Executive Services Corp). This led to a posting in KZN/Durban under the auspices of the Chamber of Business; the emphasis was on agri-business and evolved into the current Organic Farms Group www.organicfarmsgroup.com
About seven years ago I was invited to join Rotary as a member of the Rotary Club of Mount Edgecombe [Shirley is also a member of this club and is a Past President] and inevitably found ‘fertile’ interest since Rotary has always viewed agriculture as relevant to community sustainability. The most recent project has reached commercial status, supplying retailer chains including Walmart.
A highlight of my Rotary life occurred when (then RI President) Wilf Wilkinson, launched Reach Out To Africa (ROTA). Wearing my Rotarian and Organic Farms Group caps, I was asked to become an implementer. This has become a life’s passion for me and interest continues to escalate as new projects are born, particularly in formulating strategic alliances in association with Rotary.
Mentor: Policy & Strategy – Organic Farms Group
les@organicfarmsgroup.com
Tel: 031 562 7543 / 082 651 1111
www.organicfarmsgroup.com