Business magnates, king makers, champions of the African cause — the most influential people in South Africa
Irvin Khoza
Chairman, 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee
The country’s most powerful sports administrator, Iron Duke (as Khoza is popularly known) was instrumental in getting this year’s Football World Cup to South Africa. After being kicked out of Orlando Pirates Football Club in 1980 as secretary, Khoza made a triumphant return a decade ago and has turned the body into a money-spinning venture. Often embroiled in scams and scandals, Khoza was recently again in the news when his daughter gave birth to President Jacob Zuma’s 20th child. Khoza was known to be close to the President, who is six years older than the football czar.
Zwelinzima Vavi
(This story appears in the 18 June, 2010 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)