First African to receive Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy
Manilal Premchand Chandria (Manu Chandaria)
Businessman, Industrialist, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, Manu Chandaria is also widely recognized for his generosity. He heads the Comcraft Group of companies and is on the boards of directors of a number of other major businesses in East Africa. Comcraft is a multibillion-dollar company with a global footprint in more than 40 countries. Chandaria was honored by both the British and Kenyan governments; in 2003, Queen Elizabeth II presented him with the Order of the British Empire, and in 2014, former Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki named him Elder of the Burning Spear. A prominent businessman in Kenya, Chandaria has gained widespread recognition for his achievements.
Chandaria is a public figure who is passionate about philanthropy and social change; he is an outspoken supporter of CSR and human rights. Over the years, he has been honored for his work by being named the head of various influential groups and committees. As a member of the Police Reforms Task Force, he is also the chairman of the Street Families Rehabilitation Trust Fund. He feels that some of the best work in Kenya is being done by local organizations outside of the government, and Chandaria is well-known for his ideas on communities making commitments to do something for others and sticking to them. Chandaria argues that everyone has the potential to do good in the world.
Few other affluent Africans can compare to business entrepreneur Manu Chandaria in terms of his legacy of generosity. The globe has taken notice of his social activism, which dates back to the 1950s.
Recently, he made history by being the first Kenyan and African to be awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy, which recognizes and celebrates the achievements of forward-thinking donors.
After retiring from corporate management three years ago at age 90, his interests have shifted to family and philanthropy.
‘‘Unless you detach completely even from [what] you have been running for many years, you will always be thinking about it and not retire.’’_ Manu Chandaria.
To read more about his philanthropic contributions; Visit link below: