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| Let The Firings Begin! |
First with the breaking news!The Apprentice South Africa is definitely happening and everything is confirmed! SABC3 has announced all the final news about the reality TV show, the most important bit being who will be following in the footsteps of The Donald as Executive Chairperson to everything - and it's Tokyo Sexwale!
This is totally excellent because I actually know who he is. I was very worried I wouldn't have a clue who the BigWig was because I know so little about business. I knew The Donald before the show because of Ivana and his flash but there are very few businessmen in South Africa who are like that which is why I thought I may not know them.
Which is why I'm so pleased I know Tokyo Sexwale, because like The Donald there's been all sorts of goss surrounding his wheelings and dealings.
Tokyo Sexwale's been in both politics and business and in 1998 he left public office after serving as the first premier of Gauteng. After leaving he set up Mvelaphanda Holdings which is a leading black managed and owned investment company that invests mainly in mining and energy, whilst also investing in (amongst other things) hotels, transportation, banking and other financial services.
He was born in 1953 in Orlando West, Soweto Jozi, matriculated at Orlando high school in 1973 and during the late 1960's and early 1970's he was a member of The Black Consciousness Movement. During the 1970's he joined the ANC's underground movement, obtained a Certificate in Business Studies from the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland and was an active member in the ANC Swaziland underground.
In 1975 he went into exile and underwent Officer's Military Training in the Soviet Union where he specialised in Army Engineering and in 1976 he returned to South Africa where he was arrested after a run-in with the SA Security Forces and was charged with terrorism and conspiracy to overthrow the Apartheid Government.
In 1978 he was convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison at Robben Island and while there he did a B-Comm degree.
He served 13 years at Robben Island and after being released in 1990 returned to Johannesburg where he became head of the Public Liaison Department of the ANC. From here he became part of the Executive Committee of the ANC and premier of Gauteng province.
And then into business. With other things thrown in in between - like being accused of wanting to overthrow Thabo Mbeki which he denied and which Madiba apparently backed him on. You obviously want to have been the fly on whatever wall heard that goss.
Like The Donald he's an important person in gazillions of things. Over and above being Executive Chairman to Mvelaphanda Holdings he's also director of Northam Platinum Ltd and Absa Bank Limited.
He's trustee of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Vice President of the South African/Japanese Business Forum, Chairman of LoveLife AIDS Awareness Organization and Chairman of A1 Grand Prix Motor racing, which is soo cool because it's the world cup of Formula One featuring countries racing against each other, there's to be a grand prix in SA and Tokyo is the owner of the SA team.
You can find out more about this by scootling here.
So he does all that stuff and more and now he's doing a reality TV show. I hope he knows what he's got himself in for. Luckily for him he doesn't have a rug.
As for why he's doing the show - this is what he has to say:
"I am delighted to be involved in the South African version of The Apprentice. We are part of the global village and need to develop and sharpen our business skills in order to compete in a highly competitive global market. I see The Apprentice as a vehicle to raise awareness and sharpen the skills of our own entrepreneurs and look forward to unearthing some bright young talent.
"We consider this an important educational program for the stimulation and development of business ideas and entrepreneurship as more and more South Africans get closer and closer to the world of business, both in South Africa and internationally.
"Quite clearly this program, having been undertaken by key business leaders in other parts of the World, such as Prince Al Wahid in the Middle East, and others in countries like the United Kingdom, and Finland, has got its own importance for the enhancement of entrepreneurship in South Africa with the distinct understanding that in South Africa we'll have to do it our own way, the South African way with African characteristics."
Of course it's all fun and games and business speak until the candidates arrive, because what's he gonna do if he gets an Omarosa!? Or a Sam?
It's all happening in the City Of Gold, where the 16 candidates will live in a glitzy apartment and be put through similar tasks to Trumpy's, and of course each week Tokyo will fire somebody.
The prize up for grabs is a sizeable salary and a leading position in one of Tokyo's companies. What would be a sizeable salary be? Like, what's a big salary in SA?
I reckon if you or anybody you know has even a smidget of what you think it may take then you should enter!
Ah! I wonder if this means Micky B's gonna be in town?! Imagine! All in all fab. Just gotto think of a nick for Tokyo Sexwale though, because already I'm wanting to call him something else. T-Sex is one but I think that may be a bit limiting. The Tokester is another. Perhaps this will only become clearer once we've met him properly?
And to end - the news on who, where, why and what to enter:
Contestants must be between the ages of 22 and 35 and must be available full time between 8 April 2005 to 27 May 2005 and 15 to 22 September 2005. Qualifications aren't essential but an unrivalled determination to succeed as a businessperson is.
To enter call: 083 913 3333
Over and out to you.