PREMIUM: Meet Ivan Epstein: Secrets behind the success of SA’s masterful entrepreneur

LONDON — It's 17 years since Ivan Epstein, then not yet in his 40s, was crowned South Africa's Entrepreneur of the Year. Since that accolade he has kicked on strongly, selling his creation Softline into accounting software giant Sage, where he ended up running a large chunk of the global business. Now 56, Epstein retired from Sage last year to give expression to his entrepreneurial instincts – and keep a closer eye on his substantial South African property portfolio. Epstein has also become something of a practical professor of entrepreneurship, serving as the long-time chairman of the EY judges in his home country, and on the international panel of this prestigious annual competition for business creators. I caught up with this remarkable human being at his Johannesburg headquarters where he shared the secrets of his success – and those of other hugely successful entrepreneurs. A must listen for any existing or potential business owner. – Alec Hogg

I'm in Rosebank, Johannesburg with Ivan Epstein who is one of Rosebank's biggest fans (but we'll get into that in a moment). Ivan, we've known each other for 30 years. Last time, I tried to get hold of you was over the story at Sage. You left Sage a while ago. Maybe we must just clear up exactly what involvement you had or didn't have there.

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