Profile of Zitulele KK Combi
Executive Chairman, MASTER CURRENCY
Background
- Born in Retreat but at the height of apartheid, KK and his family were forcibly removed to the township of Gugulethu in Cape Town where he grew up. Without warning, they and their household goods were unceremoniously loaded onto a flat bed truck and dumped in Gugulethu.
- KK’s determined spirit manifested itself early on when his admittedly autocratic leadership of the school debating team earned him the nickname “KK” after the flamboyant but autocratic former Zambian president, Kenneth Kaunda. The name has stuck.
- Tertiary education: Damelin College where he studied Public Relations
Career History
- KK worked at Old Mutual for one year, where he was awarded Salesman of the Year
- He then opened a self service café in Gugulethu, which was forced to close in 1985 due to unrest in the township as delivery trucks couldn’t access the café.
- In 1989 developed the first service station in Guguletu.
- In 1994 developed the R45 million Nyanga Junction Development
- In 1995 developed a R20 million Ultra City Engen One Stop in King Williamstown.
- In 1995 started Master Currency with 2 branches and now employ 250 people with 20 branches nationally
The Awards and Achievements
- S A Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000
- World Entrepreneur for Managing Change in 2001
- Judge at the Ernst and Young’s World Entrepreneur of the Year Competition in Monte Carlo in June 2002
- 2001 Cape Times Business Personality of the Year Award
- Entrepreneurship Award 2001 by the Southern African Enterprise network
- 2001 Institute of Marketing Management Award for Recognition of Outstanding Achievement in Marketing
- SABC 2 Tribute Magazine Achievers Award in the Business Category in May 2003
Directorships
- Director Main Board of Massmart
- Chairman Sustainability Committee Massmart
- Regional Board of ABSA (Western Cape)
- Master Coin (Pty) Ltd
- Vat Refund Administrators
- Combi & Co. (Pty) Ltd
- Member SA Institute of Directors
- Member World Entrepreneur Academy
- Member World CEO Organisation
