Family unity, faith are generational wealth pillars – Dr Louis to CEO Africa Roundtable

Business Reporter

WESTPROP chairman, Dr Michael Louis Thursday delivered a touching presentation on the importance of family unity at the ongoing CEO Africa Roundtable Summit.

The top corporate event which kicked off in the Eastern Highlands town of Nyanga Tuesday is running under the theme ‘Generational Wealth Transformed’.

Addressing corporate leaders, Dr Louis said in the century old lifespan of his family company there are three lived experiences he had witnessed underpinning success stories.

He said the first stake was faith. The second issue was the whole aspect of family and then the sense of being together as a family and financially being secure by carrying over the values of what it is to be together.

The renowned business leader said growing up he witnessed her prayerful grandmother tirelessly participating in God’s work by going to open up the Cathedral doors at 6 O’clock in the morning every day, and proceeded to pray for the whole day.

“I would see her kneeling down and praying. And she taught me because we were also taught your eyes don’t lie. She taught me at a very young age, the power of prayer.

“And so as a result, you know that many of you that are and I’m never scared about my faith or mentioning my faith journey. But many of you say that never underestimate the power and the prayer of grandmothers. Have you heard that before? And if you’ve got a powerful, prayerful grandmother, that’s one of my gifts, which I had praying for me every single day,” he said.

Referring to his Lebanese culture Dr Louis said the second ingredient is the sense of family which is typical of the Greeks and the Italians. He said he works closely with his  five brothers every day in pursuing their company’s goals.

 “And we sit next door to each other every day of my life, working together. Do you believe that that is unique? Five brothers every day, trying to maintain the legacy. I feel I’m so blessed and honored because my safety net is not all the side incomes you get, or whether I’m going to have a job tomorrow or anything,” he said.

The WestProp Chairman said the only thing that has become his safety net is his family which has always picked him up each time he is down.

“ I think if I can be personal, because I’m speaking in Zimbabwe, but I’m also coming from a South African background and South African context, I think the black culture has lost that. The whole issue of talking about the importance of family and generational wealth, of how to really tap into moving and transferring your wealth as individuals to your children’s children,” added Louis.