Denis Opudo
A good number of African youths do undergo many challenges. Some of the challenges include sexual assaults, drug abuse, peer pressure to name but a few. But the most challenging part is when it calls for picking up oneself after such a miserable life. Very few of them get the courage to do that. A good example is Leroy Salva from South Africa who was interviewed by iol. He battled for a long time with substance abuse. But he picked up himself and used that as a stepping stone to his success in the property industry in SA.
Salva also lost a business deal worth R1 million. All this did not derail his passion for property business. Salva who is 33 years of age is an entrepreneur and the founder of Leroy Salva Properties. Founded in 2009 the company buys rents and sells out properties in the east of Johannesburg. It also does that in Springs, Germiston, and Boksburg. Salva’s main target is to be in control of the buildings located at the center of Boksburg. He hopes to borrow from Braamfontein and Maboneng Precinct. The two are both from Johannesburg.
Salva also owns properties in suburbs of KwaZulu-Natal and Fourways. He says that his main focus is in the inner circle buildings because they are in high demand. This is both for business and residential purposes. Salva also carries out workshop that educates people on how to invest in properties. The workshop also teaches people on how to negotiate with banks, analyze deals and get funding. The workshops take place through a partnership with Rich Dad Education program. The program is run by Robert Kiyosaki. According to Salva, he was the first person to attend the Rich Dad Education program. They used those grounds to absorb him into as one of the coaches and speakers. He adds that the group used to get coaches and speakers from overseas. He is now amongst their coaches and speakers based in SA.
He says that his drug addiction started way back during his days at Boksburg High School. The situation, later on, worsened after high school. It was even much worse when his dad died. He adds that he got addicted to drugs for almost ten years. This also forced him to pull out of Wits University. He was learning about marketing and business management. He went to rehab which did not bore fruits since he went back to drugs after coming out of rehab. At 25 years of age, he was a frequent visitor of drug houses. He adds that the turning point came when he went to church and received salvation.
Together with his mum, they started a cleaning company. The company employed 40 odd employees to clean Transnet offices and stations. The two also purchased a food franchise which was not a success. After that, he ventured into property business. He had to venture into it on a full-time basis in 2009, and he admits that the company used to make him the most money.
He is planning to purchase more properties and grow the venture to be worth R1 billion in a period of the next ten years. He adds that he is in a position to buy properties in the UK. This is since most of his colleagues encouraged him that the UK has one of the best markets and one stands a chance of getting good returns. Salva also buys silver bars and gold when he gets an opportunity. He also ventures into bitcoin business. But he admits that his main point of focus is in property the rest are part-time. One of his hobbies is reading books like How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie. He also likes to Be A People’s Person by John Maxwell and Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Kiyosaki.
