South African millionaire Rob Hersov is no stranger to the worlds of money and business. Now, he’s establishing a name for himself with an ambitious plan to turn Cape Winelands Airport into a bustling aviation hub.
He is a prominent figure in economic and sociopolitical circles as one of South Africa’s wealthiest individuals. Born from a mining and industrial family, Hersov’s adventure began as an heir to the founding family of AngloVaal, a mining and industrial behemoth in Southern Africa. AngloVaal was created by his grandpa, Bob Hersov, and was run by his father, Basil Hersov, for nearly three decades.
Hersov, on the other hand, did not rest on his family’s laurels. He proceeded on a voyage that took him through the halls of financial powerhouses like Goldman Sachs and into the inner circle of media baron Rupert Murdoch, armed with a Harvard MBA. In 1998, he launched Marquis Jets Europe, a private jet company that was later acquired by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and merged with NetJets in 2004.
Hersov’s goals did not end there. Following the sale of Marquis Jets Europe, he headed big global initiatives and built multiple million-dollar firms. Among his significant accomplishments is the establishment in 2013 of Invest Africa, a specialized network that assists private and institutional investors, funds, and high-net-worth individuals in interacting with possibilities throughout the African continent.
Invest Africa, which currently has over 400 members worldwide, demonstrates Hersov’s commitment to linking African firms. This formidable network, which merged with The Business Council for Africa in 2018, brings together corporations, investors, fund managers, family offices, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, all with the shared goal of supporting profitable and responsible growth across the continent.
Rob Hersov purchased the disused Fisantekraal airfield in 2021 and announced his plans to convert it into a bustling airport and secondary hub for Cape Town. The airfield was reincarnated as Cape Winelands Airport, which is located around 13 kilometers northeast of Durbanville and spans 150 hectares.
This airport, which has historical roots as an ex-South African Air Force airstrip, is poised to become more than just a transit center. Hersov’s ambition includes developing it a full-service airport, catering to both scheduled passenger flights and general aviation activities, including private jet owners’ non-scheduled flights. The distinctive allure of the Cape Winelands, as well as its closeness to classic places such as Franschhoek, will be critical to its success.
Hersov’s business portfolio reflects his broad experiences. Aside from aviation and gold mining, he has dabbled in luxury super yachts through YachtPlus, global investments through Sapinda Group, and global company development through Adoreum Partners. Sportal, an online sports network serving top football clubs, was founded as a result of his enthusiasm for sports.
His path from the world of banking to the vineyards of the Cape Winelands exemplifies a guy with vision, determination, and a strong voice. He represents South African entrepreneurship and the perseverance of individuals who dare to dream big.
It’s not only about developing runways and terminals as Cape Winelands Airport takes shape under his guidance; it’s about opening up new opportunities for this magnificent region and South Africa. According to Hersov, “we see it as a future growth node for the region.”