The end of an era as shipping legend dies

The man who was the main driving force behind the massive development of the Grindrod Group from a relatively small company into the R32-billion shipping and logistics major it is today was Walter Murray Grindrod, who was born on November 9, 1935 and died on May 16 aged 79. Now, given this obvious business success, what of Murray Grindrod the man? Looking for an answer to this question, FTW talked to one of the men who probably knew Murray Grindrod best – both in his business role and as a close friend. That was Ivan Clark, for whom Murray Grindrod was the mentor for his entire career at Grindrod, even after Clark eventually took over from him as chairman of the business group. “I never had more respect for someone for whom I worked than Murray Grindrod,” Clark said. “That he was an outstanding chairman is a given. And I have to acknowledge that it was the absolute support he gave me when I was CEO of Grindrod that was that driving force behind Grindrod’s great success. “Before he made any decision, he made sure he had all the facts at his fingertips, and this knowledge ensured that he was always able to see the complete picture,” Clark added. “He also had a great ability to control a meeting, without being obviously in the front line. He listened more than he talked, and allowed a very good airing of every point put before the board.” Clark also pointed out that Murray Grindrod’s honesty, integrity and astuteness were recognised by everyone with whom he dealt, both in SA and overseas. “In our early days Grindrod was a pretty small operation, but everywhere we went we were accepted as a company far above our status – purely because of Murray Grindrod the man.” Just how respected he was as one of this country’s leading businessmen can be seen by the lengthy list of positions he has held. Not only was he was chairman of Grindrod Limited, but also president of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and of the SA Shipowners’ Association; nonexecutive director of US-based Sea Containers; Anglo Alpha; Times Media; Grindrod Bank; Sanlam; and Marriott Holdings; and chairman of RMBT Holdings. His valuable contribution to SA’s business community was also internationally recognised with tertiary education honours from two universities – an Honorary Doctorate of Economics from University of KwaZulu-Natal, and a similar honorary degree from the University of Cambridge, a BA:Decon (HC). On the social side of things, Murray Grindrod was a keen sportsman, and just one indication of his sporting abilities was that he swung a mean cleek as a Springbok golfer. And, although his public persona was always one of a quiet, reserved and conservative man, there was a surprising amount of often rather quirky humour concealed behind this façade, Clark said. “I travelled with him around the world, and he’d treat you like a son. We always found him great fun to travel with, and often he’d take us to such unusual places as the 21 Club in New York – one of America’s most famous speakeasies from the Prohibition Era, and a place where celebrities and captains of industry have wined and dined for more than 80 years.” And behind this great man of SA business was the support of a gracious lady, his wife Pauli. “She also used to write me little notes,” he said, “and I much appreciate her wonderful encouragement.” Murray Grindrod leaves Pauli, their daughters Anne- Marie and Josi, and Walter and Murray Paul, his two sons, who are now the fourth generation of the family in the Grindrod Group. CAPTION Walter Murray Grindrod