In Conversation with

Carl Erasmus

Entrepreneurship | South Africa | Upcoming Elections | Investments | Money  

When the opportunity arose to meet Carl Erasmus, a visionary whose business acumen and love for property have made him a renowned figure in the industry, I seized it without hesitation. 

His name is imprinted on various landmarks in and around Pretoria, of which the latest is the multibillion-rand world-class Castle Gate development in Pretoria. 

Carl Erasmus, whose family has owned the Waterkloof farm on which Pretoria was built for seven generations, and which was adjacent to other historical farms, including Garsfontein, Groenkloof, Doornkloof and Rietvlei. In 1892 the land was surveyed and mapped for the very first time – President Paul Kruger signed off those maps – and it was Daniel’s descendant and his great-great-grandfather Carl Jacobus Erasmus whose name was on that original title deed. Both the Waterkloof and Garsfontein farms belonged to the Erasmus family.

I spent the afternoon with Carl, and we spoke about entrepreneurship, the future, and opportunities available for young and older people within South Africa. He is a true source of inspiration to many, including myself. Herewith my interview with Carl Erasmus:

To start, could you share a bit about your background and what initially sparked your interest in Property?

[Carl]: 

I realized from a very young age that I was extremely fortunate to be part of a family with such a rich history. Not a lot of people have in-depth knowledge about their family history, whereas my history was shared with me continuously. I was about 10 years old when we moved from the Erasmus Castle, which is now known as the “Old Spookhuis”. So I grasped very early on that these things such as your family history and where you come from are extremely important and I valued that then and I still do to this day. 

My father was a very passionate developer. He was the town founder of Erasmusrand in Pretoria. I initially didn’t follow in his footsteps immediately, as I followed my interests and studied Psychology and Sociology which I’m still very passionate about till this day. However, I gradually became involved and assisted my father on a few projects. At the age of 25, I got the opportunity to develop Erasmuskloof Ext. 2 (Waterkloof High School) and truly found my passion in property development and never looked back. 

Business can be stressful at times, to say the least, how do you keep yourself sane? What are your other passions?

Aviation! I absolutely love flying, it fascinates me. I’m also extremely intrigued by human philosophy and try to read and learn as much as I can about the subject. 

What is your favourite thing about Planet Earth? 

The absolute diversity of it all. The fact that we’re here, that we’re alive is an absolute miracle. I guess that is what keeps me happy and content, the fact I’ve been given a chance to experience life. 

What are some of the financial habits or principles that have contributed most to your success?

There’s most certainly an adverse shortage when it comes to financial education. I’ve learned from a very young age to live within your means. These days I see younger adults more concerned about their status than the health of their overall financial situation. 

Just remember – you can be as comfortable and happy in an old worn-out shirt as in a designer shirt. 

Can you share any specific strategies or techniques you use for managing your finances effectively?

You have to understand that money loses its value. Therefore you need to look at smart ways to make your money work for you. There are so many platforms available now to educate yourself i.e. YouTube, Audiobooks, etc. Therefore I believe anyone can educate themselves.

What inspired you to start your own business or pursue entrepreneurship? 

Pursue what you are passionate about. If you’re passionate about something, the drive will automatically be there. I found this with property, we started with the development of Erasmuskloof, then continued with a Shopping Centre in Erasmusrand, and this fueled me to do multiple Commercial and Residential development projects over the years. We also recently delved into the Hotel space, with one of our most recent developments The Rasmus. 

The Elections are on our doorstep, and there’s been a lot of negativity surrounding the current status of South Africa as well as the future of South Africa. What are your thoughts on this and the opportunities available to young entrepreneurs? 

Although there are a lot more external factors to deal with now, versus say 30 years ago for an entrepreneur or business owner, I believe it is still easier to do business in South Africa than say a lot of European nations. You read about the recent housing crisis in Australia, and you realize there’s a lot to be thankful for living in this country. 

We have an incredible lifestyle here that not many people realize. Although we have a lot of issues that no one can argue with, we are really fortunate as well and we should appreciate it. 

We’ve spoken about financial education. Looking at your Investing portfolio, what types of investments have been most profitable for you?

I believe investing is a very personal thing. It depends on your risk tolerance, your knowledge of certain industries and markets, etc. For me I found comfort and success in property, it is what I know and love and I’ve dedicated the largest part of my life to it. However it’s always good to look at other investment opportunities within your circle of competence, just stay focused. 

How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance while pursuing financial success?

Although I try my utmost best, it’s not always easy. I guess it also largely depends on where you are in your life. For example, having young children, you have to do everything humanly possible to spend as much time as possible with them, you won’t get that time back. 

Be mindful of the fact that your work doesn’t dictate your life. You can be driven, work hard, and be successful without necessarily sacrificing time with your family, friends or your health. But I will say again, it’s not easy!

South Africans are resilient, hard-working people, but they face a lot of challenges. What advice would you give to someone who wants to achieve financial success and become financially free? 

You have to make peace that it is not going to happen overnight. You must be willing to accept the high level of discomfort before you can have some comfort. 

Just know one thing – there’s no such thing as easy money. Easy money does not exist. If you accept this and know there’s no alternative path other than hard work, discipline, and being willing to go through the discomfort, then you have a very high rate of success. 

You have to be able to postpone gratification! 

Obviously, you’ve worked hard and achieved a lot of success, and with that comes a certain level of wealth. Would you say a person grows accustomed to money?

I think it is inevitable, yes. It is very easy to grow accustomed to a lifestyle. You must just always be mindful that excess should never be tolerated. I believe if you have worked hard for your money, you will always see the value in it. 

And now for the Big Question – Does Money make you Happy? 

Ultimately, No! If you look at the great philosophers such as William Mitchell, humans have an existential void. So to think Money or other materialistic things will make you happy is far from the truth. Money can solve some problems in the short-term whether it be financial stress, etc.

I guess in short, money can buy some comfort, but it can never buy happiness. 

Lastly, I know the Erasmus legacy is extremely important to you. How do you envision your legacy and the impact you had on others?

At the end of the day, that’s all you can leave behind. All you can do is try and leave the world a better place. If I can positively impact the lives of the people around me directly, it will have a far better outcome than any sort of wealth or material belongings I leave behind. 

In concluding my interview with Carl Erasmus, I was left in awe of his journey, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to making a difference. His story is a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and the impact one individual can have on the world and the people around him. For aspiring entrepreneurs and established business leaders alike, Carl’s insights provide valuable lessons and inspiration to strive for greatness in both professional and personal endeavours.

Finally, I leave you with one of my favourite quotes from Marcus Aurelius:

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”