The ”visionary attitude” of prominent South African businessman Humphrey Khoza would be missed, a long-time friend said on Saturday after his death in a car-crash on Friday night.
So too would his kindness and open-mindedness, said Zanele Nhlayisi, who was appointed spokesperson for the Khoza family.
Khoza (59) died when he was thrown from his blue Mercedes-Benz S500 as it hit a sign post after he lost control of the vehicle on the wet N12 east near the Comaro Street off-ramp in Alberton at 9pm, said Ekurhuleni metro police spokesperson Inspector Johnny Nhlapo.
”He was never afraid to venture into new projects and he wasn’t easily deterred. That’s were he success lay,” said Nhlayisi.
At the time of his death, Khoza served as a consultant to Nigeria’s state lottery Orion Technologies — a position he took up to spend more time with his wife Thandi, son Kennedy, daughter Carol and four grandchildren.
To his family, he was a compassionate and strong man.
News of his death had ”devastated” Thandi — his wife of more than 30 years — said Nhlayasi. The couple met in high school.
When not spending time with his family, he played golf, loved the outdoors and preferred holidays in the bush over those at the sea and the beach, she said.
Born on October 2 1947 in Kwadukathole, Germiston, Khoza enrolled for a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Zululand in 1969, but had to leave two years later because of a lack of funds.
Instead, he joined the Shell Business School in the United Kingdom and the Stellenbosch Business School, and completed an entrepreneurial course in the United States.
His first job was at Thomas Barlow, a subsidiary of the Barlow group, but the department of native affairs refused him permission to work in Johannesburg.
The company offered him a job as a clerk at a sister company in Germiston. Four years later he joined Colgate-Palmolive. He worked for Shell for 14 years as director of corporate services and at Nestlé for 11 years as director of human resources. It was while at Shell that he was seconded to the Independent Electoral Commission as director of communications.
Khoza has been a director on the boards of at least 18 South African businesses.
These include: Primedia, Mpande Resources, Nestlé SA, Ster-Kinekor, Lenganeng Investment Holdings, JHI Real Estate, Primovie Management, Turquoise Moon Trading 128, Pecatu Trading Company, Unity Insurance Holdings, AFS Forecourt Solutions and MX Health. Others are: Izinkozi Consulting, Dupleix Liquid Meters, Calabash Health Solutions, XB Employee Benefit Consultants, Schindler Lifts SA, and Inroads Career Development Services.
He was also president of the South African Chamber of Business, deputy president of the Black Management Forum (BMF), and a leader of his church.
”He was a priest-like man who will be remembered for always being there for younger business people. It’s truly a sad loss for the business world,” said BMF president Jimmy Manyi.
”He will be remembered for his role in Uthingo as well as his role in the leadership of the BMF.”
Uthingo management felt ”privileged” to have enjoyed his management expertise and guidance, said chief executive Dr Oupa Monamod.
He had helped establish the SA national lottery and make it a success.
”Our thoughts are with his family, it is truly a great loss,” added National Lotteries Board spokesperson Sershan Naidoo.
Khoza’s contribution to black economic empowerment in South Africa was ”invaluable” said Business Unity South Africa chief transformation officer Siyabonga Ndabezitha.
”There are many people who benefited from his work in the country.” – Sapa