WHO IS JEAN-PIERRE MURRAY-KLINE AND WHY DOES HIS OPINION MATTER? (NOVEMBER 2022)

I was born the same year the internet started, 1983. I come from a ‘poor’ background. I know ‘poor’ in South Africa is a controversial word, but in respect to me, it means my household didn’t have much money, and I remember my mom selling sweets from the school parking lot to help cover bills. She was my first exposure to entrepreneurship.

My family was divided through divorce. I am the oldest of 8 or 9 children that we know of (dad’s side.). My house was in a suburb called Southfield in Cape Town, and my home burnt down in my teens. Inspite of this all, I can’t recall ever wanting for anything and my mother and Aunt played a tremendous part in raising me. I did start working really young, with my first job at a church as an Altar Server, and the first payment I ever received in my life was R5 for working at a funeral.

As a youngster I did something extremely unique. The best way to explain it is an extract from a published article, here it is:

“As I moved from the rear seat of the Mini bus Taxi I could feel eyes on the back of my neck. I must have looked out of place. Bowtie, waistcoat and very shiny shoes. My brief case, the traditional sidekick of a magician, was knocking the door as I squeezed out of the overloaded vehicle. Stretching my legs I was able to reach the pavement and was greeted with a refreshing breeze.

Something I don’t share too often, but is obvious when you meet me is that I have an eye condition called Duane’s Eye Syndrome. This gave me self-confidence issues while growing up, but not as much as the wart I had on my nose for 2 years in junior school. It was in a spot that made it look like I had a booger dangling there! My mom eventually got it removed by a doctor but I can assure you it was something that didn’t help with the bullies.

High school was much better for me, and not because I was a great student. At school, and during lunch breaks, I ran a pocket money company from the library. In addition to this, and thanks to my nack with computers, I was asked to teach computer lessons to students and parents. I became a teacher of sorts, a tradesmen, and an entertainer really young in life.

After matriculating I started my own actual business with my first big client being SAB in Newlands. By the age of nineteen I had managed to invoice my first million Rand. I also launched a NPO working with street children.

I am sure you too have interesting stories of when you grew up, but the main reason I hope people listen to what I have to say is because of the work experience I have gained. I refer to myself as a Serial Entrepreneur and I am very proud to be a published Author.

I am thrilled to have had the opportunity over two decades to work in over 300 types of industries, directly or indirectly, and in varied capacities. I have managed to build my very own online business, with several web divisions. I have, with my own business managed to generate millions of Rands, and lucky enough to have travelled to many cities around the World.

As I write this article at a cute coffee shop my company still operates, and that is thanks to my impeccable colleagues who have helped us get through the pandemic and continuing economic and social turbulence in South Africa today. You will know this is something many businesses have not been able to do. Infact, I recently did a tally for one of my online businesses clients, and after checking the numbers found that 45 of them, all SMMEs, had shut their doors in 2022.

Other than managing my own company, I have a side hustle with three parts. The first one I call ‘Future Thinking’, and I do this while wearing my ‘Business and Environmental Technologist’ hat. It involves endless hours of studies and researching 16+ subjects throughout the year. From this I write articles, share information and propose new and better ideas for society and business to improve efficiency and sustainability.

For companies specifically I provide a Digital Architect & Scenario Planning service: assessments, reporting and recommendations. Carbon footprint and environmental impact is just one of the areas I focus on, but there are 5 others you can read about on my website.