CEO GOLF
Neil De Beer
President at Investment Fund Africa
Neil de Beer is an accomplished executive and CEO with over 30 years of leadership experience. Neil is currently the Founder and International Executive President of Nedebe International, one of the leading African commercial consulting agencies. In addition to being the Chairman and President of the IFA (Investment Fund Africa) – a Mauritian based fund for African infrastructure investment.
Previously Neil owned Rhino Rugby Africa, official equipment sponsors (in 1997 and 1998) to SA Rugby and the South African Springbok Rugby Team. Neil also founded the first ever Rugby University in the world, SAIR (South African Institute of Rugby) in Stellenbosch.
In 2004, Neil was appointed to the Springbok Rugby Team, Under 21 Management Team of 2004 / 2005 and won the Under 21 World Cup 2005 in Mendoza, Argentina with the group.
Neil also acted as CEO and Chairman for various companies involved in Mining, ICT and Commerce under Borderless International, based in Malta.
Under his guidance, the Office of African Business Development (OABD) was founded and as first Secretary General, looked at the active implementation of African Union initiatives such as the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) on a grassroots country level.
Neil has acted as senior adviser to a multitude of African Nations, its leadership and political structures in with regard to its future investment strategies, including Zimbabwe, Uganda, South Sudan, Namibia, Libya, Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, Ivory Coast and Morocco. Neil was the founding President of the Africa-based Monetary Fund in Dubai.
Neil attended tertiary education and majored in History and Drama, with further interests in Military Strategy and African Political Studies, incorporating psychology as a focus. Neil remains determined to bring the power of a progressive, inclusive attitude to bear on both the commercial sector and the political arena.
At present, Neil also acts as the current Senior State Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Defence of the Republic of South Africa.
1. Who is your hero? (In business, life, or both.)
Nelson Mandela
2. What’s the single best piece of business advice that helped shape who you are as an entrepreneur today, and why?
Never say no never fear to take risks and once you decide, stick to it come hell or high water
3. What’s the biggest mistake you ever made in your business, and what did you learn from it that others can learn from too?
Was to trust another person who gave opinions about a matter who gave the impression that they were a specialist in the subject and at the end of the day failed as instead of having factual opinion, it was not. To learn from this, always trust your gut feeling and always do your due diligence well.
4. What do you do during the first hour of your business day and why?
Always read and watch the news to ensure that you are aware of global and local events. Why – if informed of global news, once can have an informed decision of the matters of the day.
5. Who is your company’s target customers?
Government
6. What’s your best financial tip for entrepreneurs just getting started?
Always come up with a great plan because a great plan draws investment
7. What’s ONE thing you recommend ALL aspiring or current entrepreneurs do right now to take their business to the next level?
Never ever give up and follow your dream.
8. What’s your definition of success? How will you know when you’ve finally “succeeded” in your business?
Definition of success is defining a goal, putting a time frame and achieving both. We will only establish and define success by achieving the timeframe in achieving the success of the goal.
9. What is your favourite quote?
I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.
