Annoyed SAs speak: Rob Hersov’s outspoken views evoke passionate responses

Rob Hersov spoke openly at the recent BizNews conference, causing many community members to voice their own opinions on social media.

Published on:

27 Sept 2021, 12:28 pm

Global entrepreneur and the driver behind Invest Africa, Rob Hersov, was a keynote speaker at the BizNews Investment Conference (BNIC#2) in the Drakensberg at the beginning of September. In his brutally frank presentation to delegates, Hersov explained why he returned to South Africa after three decades overseas where he built a succession of successful businesses. He also painted a picture of the political landscape to which he returned, explaining why to the rational mind South Africa is 'absolutely uninvestable'. After his presentation, Hersov also sat down with BizNews founder Alec Hogg for a Q&A.

Hersov's strong opinions on South Africa's future, Cape Independence, EWC, the ANC, and the DA have caused many community members to voice their feelings on social media. While many echo the billionaire's sentiments to some extent, others feel his views are arrogant, privileged, and unrealistic for the majority of South Africans with no hope of a 'plan B'.

Well said, Hersov!

Gupta's pet agrees wholeheartedly with Hersov: "Black empowerment is theft. Expropriation without compensation is theft. Why would anyone invest in this country with those things hanging over our heads? I mean, it's uninvestable. Well said. Personally, I would have not returned to this shythole."

"Very blunt, but unfortunately the truth," writes Nico Van Rensburg.

Carl Hoppe says, "If the Cape goes independent, I'll move there immediately."

What an excellent speech
— Rachel (@racmauc) September 22, 2021

Movingthegorgonzolaback comments, "My views exactly – except for Madiba. I don't think Madiba would vote for the DA over the ANC. Like Cyril, Madiba was ANC first. And we know what the ANC stands for. The ANC was patient and there was lots to steal. There was lots of good working infrastructure so they didn't have to do too much. Madiba sucked us in. It seems we did not look too closely at what the ANC actually stood for, and thought everything would be OK anyway because world communism was defeated. Well, guess what? We must be the only country in the world where the whole govt calls each other Comrade – even the known gangstas are called Comrade. Madiba is over traded, the rainbow is actually separated colours, and Madiba is gone anyway. As Hersov says, we are actually stuffed."

Reactor X agrees. "Post of the day right there. South Africa was sold the Mandela lie, yet still believes in it to this day."

"Excellent interview," comments MSP2. "Sad but true."

"I agree with most points but unfortunately, for the majority of currently disadvantaged people, there is no plan B and they cannot leave the country when things get too hot or we become Zim2," argues Eric Naude. "As for the deification of Mandela – I must say I don't hold in him that high a regard. I am not sure that he did not also benefit from corruption. All these cadres became very rich very quickly. Of course, that would be considered to be blasphemy."

Michael says, "Marvellous talk. Brutally honest."

Excellent show. Hope to see more of Rob Hersov
— daugter of grimm (@grimmsdottr) September 24, 2021

Mark Singleton agrees. "I really like Rob and how he speaks his mind on uncomfortable subjects."

Seriously! writes, "Indeed Rob is right – most of us know that. I am not sure anymore that this situation is salvageable. There is unfortunately a tinge of arrogance associated with Rob's delivery. His circumstances are so different to 99.99% of the population. What I do find interesting is that he is actually in Cape Town playing for the Dodgers (tax). Resetting his non-dom tax status in the UK takes around 5-6 years and all his predictions seem to take this period into account. Makes one think. Stir the pot hard and then leave?"

"Love what you said; we just need a better government. Everything you said is so true," comments Hannelore Viljoen.

Graeme83 comments, "Rob reminds me more of Jamie Lannister than the other guy he compared himself to. But in all seriousness, it's great to hear a straight shooter speaking his mind in today's tip-toeing over eggshells/land mines landscape."

"Give this man a Bells," cheers Morena Zwekwati. "At least he has the cajones to call a spade a voshel. We can always keep on dreaming and try to realise our dream of a better SA. After all, we voted yes in 1992 for a better SA and got disillusioned by our failure to recognise the wolf in sheep clothing. Now we are all paying penalties. We got what we voted for."

"What does this Rob guy drink?" asks Rachel Mlosy. "The honesty is unmatched."

Thank you for giving this chap a platform to speak.
I, for one, appreciate it. Even if I disagree with some of his leanings and thoughts.
— Penuel (@penuelist) September 25, 2021

That's all good and well, but…

Jawellnofine doesn't agree. "Don't see the point of any of this. So he wants to tell us his personal story – just leaves out the part about using dad's money to make a comfortable life outside SA. Then live in SA because it's great until it's down the pipe and he'll leave again because he can. SA is uninvestable, but you're investing? Can be fixed very easily, but it won't be, so we'll leave when it gets as bad in the Western Cape as it is in the rest of the country. Spare us. The rest we know. Except that Mandela would never vote DA. That's just silly. Mandela was an old school, dyed in the wool communist. Makes the rest of billionaire Rob's pronouncement just as silly."

"I think he is living in a dreamworld," says Joseph Thomas.

What utter nonsense. A vain ageing playboy who inherited his wealth and shouts his mouth off and you think this is worth listening too, seriously.
— Champy Rules (@ChampyRules) September 25, 2021

Ricky P adds, "Lol. Good luck winning the Civil War that comes with such secession."

A frank CG writes, "Like I always say – either leave or stay and shut the f up."

"Funny, he encourages white people to leave and educate their children abroad and only come back when the country is better. Yet, he says he is not leaving. Stop misleading people. A real South African will stay and fight for a better SA for all," says Rachel Papo.

"Utter nonsense," agrees Tindo Magadu. "I don't even know where to begin to take apart the thrust of his arguments."

Can't take a man seriously if he's wearing formal clothes with no socks.
— Val (@BulletToothVal) September 21, 2021

Commenting on the BizNews TV video of Hersov's presentation, Carmen Mulder says, "On the surface, [it] sounds ok to those who know no better. I wonder why he excluded the bigger problem of globalisation and that people can't empower themselves under this type of structure? Problems won't change even under DA rule as we'll still be controlled by overseas power. True freedom and power is in sovereignty. There's no other way."

"DA is a flop. ANC is another flop," says OR Kwape. "We need independent candidates. And I will never vote for flops. Pipe dream you have in selling the DA."

Tambudzai Makoni asks, "Why would you want a part of Africa to be given to decedents of colonialists? Your sense of entitlement is amusing. Africa is for Africans."

"Hot Air … Empty talk that is intended to impress," comments Tshepo Sekonya.

Madness
— Calvin Peu (@nyabudi) September 21, 2021

Just tilted the undecided-voter into voting ANC.
— Nic (@NGEvansOXford) September 21, 2021

"Bottom line – living in SA with a plan B is very different to living here without one," says Oh Boy. "Note, there are Plan Bs and then there is Hersov's Plan B which can literally be decided on over lunch and executed by tea time. Drive to the airport (possibly your own airport), don't worry about luggage or furniture or a mortgage, board your Gulfstream, have a nice snooze, land in the US or UK, and pick up where you left off – drinks, dinner, maybe a show."

DASHYDASH EYESPOKE agrees. "I honestly thought I was gonna listen to a very intelligent businessman who was gonna offer SA some form of an Economic Guide/Way Forward but all I came out with was just pure hogwash. I don't know what/which part of the Western Cape (I largely suspect Cape Town) he lives in (I will venture a guess and say Clifton/Llandudno), or one of those high priced leafy burbs of Cape Town… but he is soooo disconnected from reality that it's scary. A free and independent Western Cape… really?? I respect SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PEOPLE (largely WHITE BUSINESS PEOPLE with sharp business brains and outlook on life) but this here gent doesn't strike me as one of those I would listen to intently. His ideas show an insular way of thinking. I wasted 35 minutes of my day listening to absolute hogwash."

How did you find the discussion with Rob Hersov? Let us know in the comments below.

https://youtu.be/OMq8pSXE9Mw

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