The goodwill generated by Mandela’s conciliatory approach after his release from prison and during his time as president continues to reverberate throughout South Africa’s business world, according to a report in TheNewAge.

Business folk ranging from CEOs of major corporations to owners of small companies agree Mandela had a major impact not only on their bottom line but on their self confidence and leadership style.

Bill Venter founded the Altron Group and had close interactions with Mandela during and after his presidency. “Madiba was my mentor,” Venter told TheNewAge. “Through the years I always looked up to him for guidance in my personal life and many of my business dealings.

“One of my favorite Madiba lessons is: ‘Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.’

“What a wonderful philosophy this is for any entrepreneur.”

Mandela’s close focus on nation building inspired Venter during the 1990s. Mandela showed patience and insight in listening and getting to know and understand his enemies. Mandela studied the culture and history of his former oppressors. He learned to speak Afrikaans fluently.

Venter told TheNewAge he believes Mandela’s approach and desire for disciplined leadership and a pragmatic economic policy in South Africa were “absolutely crucial” in developing business confidence and a positive investment climate.

“Without his legacy, South Africa would never have become the thriving and stable country that it is today,” Venter said.

But it wasn’t only business billionaires who were impacted by Mandela.

A young Afrikaans businessman, Hercules Jonker, founded TaxTipsSA, in the 1990s. His motivation was directly attributable to Mandela’s willingness to take risks.

Along with his awareness of collective social needs, Mandela showed an extraordinary entrepreneurial capacity to tread unknown paths.

In the late 1980s Mandela began negotiating with the National Party that was holding him prisoner at a time when many of his peers were stuck in a stalemate with the enemy.

“His talk of reconciliation made me realize I could do this,” Jonker told TheNewAge. “I wanted to start my own business but was plagued by uncertainty. Then, when I heard Mandela speak about taking a risk and walking into the unknown, I knew I could do it.”

Today Jonker employs 11 people.

“I guess we had been brainwashed into believing Mandela was our enemy,” he said. “When I realized that he stood for reconciliation I was sure I could do it.”