Champion ‘listens with his heart’
ENTREPRENEUR and founder of hair care company, Black Like Me, Herman Mashaba is well known for his business acumen and his support of aspiring young businessmen and women. It was, however, in recognition of his philanthropy and support for the arts that saw Mashaba presented with the Art Champion Award last night. The award is presented to an individual for outstanding achievement in the encouragement of business support for the arts.
Among other things, Mashaba is chairman of the board of the Field Band Foundation, an initiative that uses music to teach more than 6,500 children around the country skills aimed at increasing their chances of building better futures.
“Herman began as a patron of the foundation shortly after it was established in 1996,” says CEO of the Field Band Association, Nicky du Plessis. “His enthusiasm and involvement were remarkable from the start and it wasn’t long before I suspect he couldn’t help himself commit further and he took on the role of chairman.”
Mashaba, a keen pianist and collector of South African art, has a great understanding of the “imaginative, what if space” that is effectively fostered by art, says Du Plessis.
“He has a great grasp of what art can do. But, more than that, he connects with others and is able to communicate how they can turn fantasy into reality,” she says. “Herman speaks very directly to youngsters involved in the foundation. They know from him success comes from hard work. He’s no soft touch, demands accountability and knows how to inspire others with his straightforward, practical approach.”
But, it’s not only dialogue he’s good at: Mashaba will go far to walk the talk.
“I don’t think you’ll find many chairmen who’ll catch the red eye from Joburg, fly to East London, drive through the Eastern Cape via Queenstown to the little town of Dordrecht, stay in a mediocre guest house, sit and watch children perform for six hours and then march down a dusty street with the band before heading back to East London and flying home for another meeting,” says Du Plessis. “Herman’s spark, energy and ability to engage with everyone at all levels are remarkable. But he is deeply respectful of every artist’s space and never tries to put his own stamp on what they do.
“What makes Herman a great supporter of the arts? He makes time, listens and hears with his heart and his mind,” concludes Du Plessis.