Eastern Cape born print business magnate Mr Vrajlal Harry (better know as Vrij, died on Friday 5th August at the age of 70 prompting an outpouring of tributes from business, friends, politicians and community groups.
Vrij according to Luthando Bara, a former business partner was a man of integrity and action, a true patriot and a man of rare vision, principle and deep compassion, he touched the lives of countless people through his unwavering support for local business and through his charitable endeavors.
“He will be deeply missed by all who loved him. He lived an honorable life,”he said.
Vrij attended John Bissiker and completed his schooling at St John’s College. He went on to complete his B.Com at the University of Durban, Westville.
He joined his father’s printing business after completing his studies. The business was started by Vrij’s father who started with the printing of his father’s religious writings. Vrij took over from his father and has grown the business to be the largest commercial printer in the Eastern Cape.
Harry’s Printers now has branches in East London, Port Elizabeth, King Williams Town and Pretoria.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane who visited the family alongside the City Mayor, BKCB and BBF delegation last week said Mr Harry was a true patriot who loved the saw potential in the province and invested in it. He has helped so many people in people that I know with his generous giving and consciousness, he added. He said the province was poorer without him and called on the family to allow organised business and political parties to organise a fitting memorial service on his behalf.
He is founding director of the Eastern Cape today newspaper (now EC Today News online) which he started in 1998 and later sold to a group of entrepreneurs, Luthando Bara, Vukile Pokwana and the late Mzwandile Poswa.
Vukile Pokwana said Mr Harry’s family cultivated a deep-seated passion for print on him which he also embraced with zest and vigor.
“He truly believed that growing the print industry should be everyone’s concern, given its large impact.”
The industry currently employs over 45 000 people and contributes about R55 billion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making it the sixth largest industry in South Africa.
Vrij had an insatiable hunger to learn and revered education. To add on his B.Com, he has also completed a MBA at Henley College in the UK and numerous short courses at Harvard Business School and MIT.
Vrij has lectured at Rhodes University and Fort Hare University.
He was a loving husband, a proud father and an even prouder grandfather, Vrij leaves behind his wife Karuna, and their 4 children, 3 adopted children as well as 7 grandchildren.
