From Veranda to Boardroom - The Quiet Giant of South African Business and Heritage

In the rolling hills of Bushbuckridge, a small veranda once stood as the modest beginning of a life that would later inspire generations. It was there that a young Reuel Khoza and his wife, Mumsy, began their journey together. Converted by his aunt into a single room when they married, it was barely large enough to hold a single bed. “However, a single bed is conducive to intimacy,” he says with a smile. In that confined space, the seeds of purpose and perseverance were planted - qualities that would guide a life marked by vision, integrity, and quiet influence.

Dr Khoza’s life is defined by purpose. Even as a child, he was determined to leave a mark. “I told everyone I would become a principal, modelled after a man I deeply admired,” he recalls. It was this very dream that earned him the nickname “Principal” among peers. That early ambition, seemingly audacious at the time, evolved into a philosophy of leadership and stewardship: a belief in guiding others with influence rather than coercion, a strong ethos that he calls “at your service”, and in creating impact that endures.

This philosophy carried him through a remarkable career. He chaired major corporations such as Nedbank and Eskom, where he worked closely with Nelson Mandela and even responded to Sunday calls from the former President to electrify underserved areas. His influence extends beyond the corporate world: he serves as Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal and previously held the same position at the Universities of Limpopo and Medunsa. His ventures in agriculture transformed a family project into one of Mpumalanga’s largest avocado export operations, creating opportunity and sustainable growth for rural communities.

Yet, for Khoza, success has never been confined to business. It is cultural, social, and profoundly human. Angels View, the luxury hotel he co-created with Mumsy, captures that philosophy. Originally called Eagles View, its name changed when Khoza reflected, “You don’t find eagles next to God, but angels.” Perched near the world-famous God’s Window, the hotel honours both the majesty of the landscape and the spirituality it evokes.

Every element of the property reflects African nuances and contemporary sophistication. Rooted in Khoza’s Shangaan heritage, the hotel carries the textures and storytelling traditions of his culture - from beadwork-inspired patterns to warm, earthen tones echoing the Mpumalanga landscape. Designed by Donald Nxumalo, the interiors celebrate indigenous craftsmanship with sculptural furniture, woven detailing, and local artistry that honour heritage through a modern lens. The ten grottos reinterpret ancient cave living in a distinctly South African way, while “Mumsy’s”, the main restaurant, pays tribute to her passion for food, family, and heartfelt hospitality.

Dr Khoza’s business acumen remains inseparable from his humanity. For him, leadership is measured not in titles, but in legacy: the lives touched, the communities uplifted, and the culture celebrated. Awards and recognition - regional, national, and international - have followed, but his truest success lies in the wonder of guests at Angels View, the empowerment of rural farmers, and the students who walk through the university halls he helps guide.

Even in moments of rest, Khoza remains a seeker. Music, particularly choral and classical, offers solace. Writing allows him to share his philosophies. Travel with family reignites his curiosity. And in all he does, his values leave a quiet but unmistakable imprint.

“Success,” he reflects, “is not about how high you rise, but how many lives you touch along the way.”

From veranda to boardroom, his journey shows that ambition and empathy, enterprise and culture, can coexist - and together define a legacy of African excellence. Dr Reuel Khoza is not merely a business icon. He is a storyteller of South Africa’s possibilities: of its land, its people, and its future. His footprints provide a map for others to follow, a GPS for guidance.