Abstract
M.A. (Sociology)
Most, if not all, groups as well as major commercial concerns
existing in South Africa today, begin through the actions of one
man, or a small group of people. These people were usually
wealthy investors, who had the purpose of profit in mind, but
nonetheless, were responsible for the conglomerates now active in
today's economic world. People such as, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer
(Anglo American Corporation) Sir John Patterson (Standard Bank of
South Africa) Douglas Murray (Murray & Roberts) and many others,
began with an idea, and joined by a small group, rose from humble
beginnings and formed the major corporations we know today. To
be able to expand to the size of today's big companies, more and
more people were required to staff the work stations and start up
the subsidiary companies and head office divisions that today
comprise the holding companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock
Exchange. This is not just a historical event, but the same
process is continuing on an ever increasing rate in the modern
commercial climate.