Professor Radebe signs his newly released book
"Most leaders are running on empty tanks due to stress and difficulties, and they are losing hope, so in my opinion, their tanks are empty, and it is now my job to refuel them," said Professor Radebe.
Professor Maurice Radebe, the Wits Business School head and director, signed his autobiography called The Fuel to Lead on December 10 at the Mall of the South Exclusive Books.
“It is a story written to inspire both seasoned and emerging leaders to achieve more than they ever imagined. Even though I was a leader of a large oil company, I was also a petrol attendant who fueled cars. Now I want to fuel the tanks of leaders.
“Most leaders are running on empty due to stress and difficulties, and they are losing hope, so in my opinion, their tanks are empty, and it is now my job to refuel them. Reading this book will fuel you because it discusses the challenges and mistakes faced by leaders. It will inspire people to pursue their dreams and to have the courage to start and maintain a business.
“I began writing this book in early 2021, and the themes stem from more than three decades of my experience in the fuel and energy sector,” said Radebe.
Radebe highlighted that the book chronicles his childhood in the Ekurhuleni township of Katlehong, where he was raised by his grandfather and mentor, Philemon Radebe, who built one of the largest trading stores in the area from the ground up.
“That’s where my interest in business and leadership began. I was in charge of successfully marketing all of the energy company’s products, as well as managing the gas-to-liquids joint ventures in Qatar and Nigeria, as well as the gas-to-power venture in Mozambique.
“After several years at Shell where I held a cosy managerial position, I took a risk and became one of the founding leaders of Excel Petroleum, a black-owned and managed oil and energy company that rose to prominence in the industry.”
Radebe fought for the equality of black people and women in the energy sector through groups like the African Mineral and Energy Forum. Sasol then acquired Exel.
“I spent the majority of my corporate career working my way up the corporate ladder until I retired as executive vice president of energy and safety, health, and environment in 2020. I was also in charge of Sasol’s global energy business. As a result, I am open and honest about the business difficulties I encountered while working for various companies,” he said.
Radebe emphasises spiritual rootedness, family values, and ethical leadership as essential components required for success in life and business.
“I’ve mentored many young people who encouraged me to write my story because they benefited from my lessons. They encouraged me to write about my weaknesses and failures because there was still much to learn.
After retiring from Sasol, I spent the last two years writing my autobiography.
“Our lives are divided into three seasons: learning, earning, and returning. I discuss this in chapter 10.
“Now that I am over sixty, it is time for giving back, which is why I am a lecturer at Wits Business School where I mentor future leaders to become the person I am today or even beyond. During my life’s learning phase, I learned values and key principles that made me successful as well as the period of earning that which required perseverance,” said Radebe.
