Manu: Happiness lies in simple things in life

By LUCIANNE LIMO

He has built a multi-billion business empire that spreads across 40 countries, but Manu Chandaria’s passion in life lies in simple things. Such a rich man is expected to enjoy playing golf or going to exotic holiday destinations in the world but holding hands with children in slum areas and giving them hope for a brighter future is where he finds great happiness.

Perhaps it is his humble beginnings that have influenced his way of looking at life. Chandaria, 83, says he has never felt the need or urge to engage in life’s excesses.

When The Standard visited him at his Muthaiga home, where he has lived for the past 40 years, Chandaria did not show the aura of a man who had just been bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award by a recognised organisation.

He told us about hosting several high profile people including retired President Moi and Mother Teresa but what brings a smile to his face is when he mentions the orphans and less fortunate children who have eaten and played in his lush compound.

“It gives me so much joy to have hosted very important people in the world and also the less fortunate here at my home. My wife has entertained little children from the slums who have played in this compound.”

Over the course of his career, Chandaria has been passionate about charity by encouraging corporates, institutions and even individuals to give back to the society.

Volunteering

His focus now is trained on the youth who he says need to change their mentality for free things and instead embrace volunteering.

A strong believer in helping the less fortunate, Chandaria  wants to see the culture of volunteering take root in the country because he believes that everyone has something to offer the society.

This need not be monetary but even one’s time to help the country be a better place.

The businessman urges youths to participate in volunteerism to enhance their chances of employment and opportunities for greater things in life.

“There are six million youths in Kenya and no private sector or government can create jobs for everyone. The worst thing is for a young person to sit for one or even five years waiting for employment,” he says.

“When you do nothing for long, your brain will rust, your attitude towards work will not be there and your intelligence will disappear and then you can be led into anything.”

Chandaria is saddened that the first thing young people want to know is how much they will earn before they volunteer.

Because of his generosity, Chandaria has been recognised by many organisations. Early this month,he received a Lifetime Achievement Award during the fifth annual African Business Awards held at Grosvenor House in London.

The event honours excellence and achievement in African business.

Hailed as one of Kenya’s leading industrialists, Chandaria has established a world-class conglomerate and has an incubation programme that seeks to support upcoming entrepreneurs in the country.

Chandaria said he was humbled and elated to receive the award and quickly acknowledged the people who made it possible — his wife and 65 members of his family who are engaged in the running of the business empire.

He say the awards are a recognition of Africa’s coming of age, businesswise.

“The coming decade is for Africa to rise up. Africa must come together. We still have arable land, minerals such as gold, copper and aluminium here.It is time to rise up and run,” he says.