#InTheSpotlight Zithulele KK Combi - Chairman of Pioneer Foods

BackgroundBorn in Retreat, Cape Town 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 RelationsCareer 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, where he was executive chairman until he did the transaction with Thembeka in 2006, he has stayed on as non-executive chairman.- In 2006 became the Executive Chairman of Thembeka, swapping his stake in Master Currency for a stake in Thembeka.The Awards and Achievements- 2000: S A Entrepreneur of the Year- 2001: World Entrepreneur for Managing Change- 2001: Cape Times Business Personality of the Year Award- 2001: Entrepreneurship Award by the Southern African Enterprise network- 2001: Institute of Marketing Management Award for Recognition of Outstanding Achievement in Marketing- 2002: Judge at the Ernst and Young’s World Entrepreneur of the Year Competition in Monte Carlo- 2003: SABC 2 Tribute Magazine Achievers Award in the Business Category- 2008: Johnny Walker Striding Man CompetitionChairman include the following- Chairman of Pioneer Food Group Limited - ListedDirector of listed companies- PSG Group Limited- PSG Financial Services Limited- Pioneer- Curro Holdings