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<\/a>Jonathan Oppenheimer revealed what it was like to grow up in one of South Africa\u2019s richest and most influential families in an interview with Bruce Whitfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His parents instilled a sense of humility in him from a young age despite growing up as part of the richest family in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One example is pocket money. He often received less pocket money than most of his friends. His mother forced him to pay his own way and save what little money he had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They also instilled a sense of value in him and ensured that his decisions were value-driven rather than him getting whatever he wanted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can\u2019t recall a single conversation which said you will do what an Oppenheimer does or be who an Oppenheimer should be,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was always you must follow what you want to do in your life and make your life a success. In doing that, you must contribute to the environment you\u2019re in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jonathan said he was almost hoodwinked into the family business from a young age as that was all he was exposed to and all he knew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy father used to collect me on the half days at school and at lunch, and instead of going home, I used to go to the office quite often,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the age of 10, he was allowed to attend any meeting at Anglo\u2019s famous headquarters in Johannesburg\u2019s CBD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This continued into his teenage years, when, despite schooling in the UK, Jonathan would return to South Africa in summer to observe the day-to-day running of Anglo American.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen it came time for me to start getting involved, I had a leg up on everybody else because I already had 5 or 10 years of knowledge, which I hadn\u2019t even realised,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said it was a massive responsibility to be the descendant of illustrious figures such as Ernest, Harry, and Nicky Oppenheimer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although the family\u2019s wealth brings many privileges, including attending the best schools and universities, it has downsides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said there is a perception that it is fantastic to be born into privilege. However, it comes with \u201cmassive shackles\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not only responsible for the next five generations of Oppenheimer but also for a broader community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jonathan explained that this deep responsibility is bred into him, as an Oppenheimer, with the obligation to ensure the wider environment benefits from your business ventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re here to make a profit because without making a profit, nothing is sustainable,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHowever, we\u2019re here to make a profit in such a way as to benefit the people and communities with whom we operate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He credited his great-grandfather, Ernest Oppenheimer, for instilling that principle in how the family does business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat dictum is the essence of everything Nicky and I do. Hopefully, my children do as they come into their adult age and take on more and more responsibilities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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