The preamble of the South African Constitution enjoins all of us – individually and collectively – “to improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person”. The business sector should regularly remind itself of this undertaking. Behind every successful company are people – entrepreneurs and employees – who seek to free their own potential.

The value derived from the products and services that companies produce and exchange in a free economy are a vivid expression of a potential that has been freed. At Menar, our investment company, we believe in this constitutional imperative which is at the heart of human dignity. As a company that was established and grew its South African operations after the adoption of the Constitution, we are proud to be a direct product of the new order. We represent in the business sector that which Nelson Mandela and his comrades sacrificed for: a country where entrepreneurs can set up businesses, grow them, develop the economy, create jobs and improve the quality of life of our people.

By creating jobs in our greenfield projects and acquired operations we are the living reality of what businesses need to do in a constitutional democracy where there is the rule of law, respect for property rights, efficient regulatory institutions, a free press and regular free and fair elections. Notwithstanding the many challenges we face, including those which temporarily look insurmountable, no one can claim South Africa’s fundamentals under the democratic dispensation do not support business growth.

Had it not been for the sound fundamentals in South Africa, there would have been no opportunity for Menar and its subsidiary companies – Zululand Anthracite Colliery, Canyon Coal and Kangra Coal and Sitatunga Resources – and their 3 500 employees. As an entrepreneur who arrived in South Africa from Turkey in 2001 my potential would not have been freed had South Africa opted for a closed economy after 1994. I would not have had the opportunity to contribute to the freeing of the potential of others. As we celebrate 25 years of democracy, we dare not forget what we have undertaken to do as the people of South Africa – to improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person. What a commitment!