When it comes to the title of South Africa’s most powerful businessman there is really only one contender. Sure Elon Musk hits the headlines pretty often but the title will always go to Johann Rupert, the Richemont executive chairman who is seen as a big dog on the international scene.

Whilst he generally shies away from public interviews he sat down with the Financial Times Of London’s Lionel Barber, the two seeming to enjoy a good rapport as Rupert opened up on a number of matters.

Whilst you can watch the interview in full up top we’ve selected some of the transcript below from Biznews:

Do you trust any Central Bank (or should I say Western governments)? I’m not sure. I was a banker and I used to think that Central bankers were the smartest people on earth. Somebody told me years ago, “Never meet your heroes. You may be disappointed.”

[On China]…Firstly, they’re smart. I know we’re not supposed to say that ‘people are smart’. It’s not PC. Secondly, they study like crazy. Every Chinese kid has six adults looking over his/her shoulder. That’s quite a burden. They study. They have a work ethic. Normally, when people are smart and they study, work, and save, they do better than the rest of us.

[On the Apple Watch]…I’ve been an Apple lover for 30-odd years now, and I look at the Apple watch as more of a remote control for the computer, which is your iPhone. It does all kinds of things but I find it hard to conceive spending $17,000 on a product, you’d have to throw away in two years’ time. That’s really, not in our culture (the Protestant culture). My wife would never buy a dress, wear it once, and then throw it away. In a sense, that’s why we’ve never made a luxury phone in Cartier or anywhere. We’re not disposable.

[On England’s chances of winning the Ashes]…You’re not serious. Very short…[Talking about Andrew Strauss]…Andrew is a very good man but you’re only as good as your team. After the first Test against New Zealand, Michael Vaughan said, “Is this a new dawn?” He comes to the Dunhill Links every year and I said, “Would you like a bet on that?” The answer was ‘no’.

I’m definitely with you on that one Johann, the Pommies might make the best Ashes promo ads but that is where their dominance is set to end.

[source:biznews]