Lawrence Koikoi

If someone came to you tomorrow with R100m to invest in just one company, which would it be?

Right now I would put my money in ADO Properties. Apart from the strong fundamentals in the German residential sector, ADO is a Berlin residential specialist poised to create wealth for its owners in the long run.

Which talent would you most like to have?

The ability to read people’s minds.

What was your first job?

I was a trainee chartered accountant at Standard Bank.

What’s your biggest regret?

Not investing in stocks in my early 20s. I had excess cash then and fewer responsibilities than I do now.

Your worst investment mistake?

In April 2009 I created a dummy portfolio of a few stocks consisting of Cashbuild, Aspen, Shoprite, Resilient, New Europe Property Investments, JSE and Naspers that still exists in my personal account today. I should have turned this portfolio into reality by investing real money in it.

What’s the best investment you’ve ever made?

Apart from my marriage certificate, it has to be choosing to specialise in real estate early in my career. It is now an asset class that falls comfortably inside my circle of competence.

What’s your favourite song?

“Waiting For Love” by Avicii. Travelling abroad with my family. Berlin.

On what occasions do you lie?

I am an optimist, so sometimes. Improving our education system. Apple.

Apple or Samsung (or Nokia)? If you found a lottery ticket tomorrow that had won US$100M, what would you do?

I don’t think my life would change much, except that I would have more capital to execute my investment ideas.

What is your greatest extravagance? Name a place you’ve been to that lived up to the hype.

I probably lie to myself

If you could fix one thing in SA today, what would it be?