Dr. Rajan Mahtani

Dr Rajan Mahtani

Forbes Business Awards Presented Along With Fin Conference

Forbes is among the biggest brands within business magazines. Forbes in partnership with FIN (Foreign Investment Limited) recently concluded the Forbes-FIN roundtable conference on philanthropy and leadership as well as the Forbes ‘Best of Africa’ awards. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, a noted businessman and philanthropist, was the only businessman from Zambia to be invited into the leadership and roundtable conference. Dr. Rajan Mahtani was invited as a honorary speaker and spoke about the significance of political leadership in healthcare.

Apart from the philanthropy and leadership conference, Forbes event was also well-known and highly anticipated for the Forbes ‘Best of Africa’ awards. The Forbes ‘Best of Africa’ awards is an annual award ceremony which recognizes and celebrates leading lights in the philanthropic and leadership arena. The award ceremony is one of the most regarded and respected and invites recipients from across Africa. Dr. Rajan Mahtani, apart from being invited as a honorary speaker in the event, was also conferred with one of the Forbes ‘Best of Africa’ awards. Forbes recognized the contributions of Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani in the field of banking and economy. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani was conferred with the Forbes ‘Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year’ 2021 award for his contributions in the banking sector and practically redefining it. The Forbes ‘Best of Africa’ award is a prestigious award and highly anticipated among businessmen and visionaries. The award is presented to those with significant contributions in philanthropic and leadership values and fields. Furthermore, the awards are highly regarded due to its association with Forbes as their developer. Along with this, the selection of the recipients is highly rigorous as they are selected after several verifications and background checks as well as interviews to understand their philosophies on leadership and philanthropy.

Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, apart from his business contributions, is also known for his philanthropic and charitable contributions. Some of these contributions include Prison Fellowship Zambia and Stephen Malama award and scholarship for top law graduates in Zambia.

Dr Rajan Mahtani

Dr. Rajan Mahtani Awarded With The Famous ‘Best Of Africa’ Awards By Forbes

 

Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, one of the most respected and noted businessman in Zambia, was recently bestowed with the Forbes ‘Best of Africa’ awards. The awards were given during the Foreign Investment Limited (FIN) philanthropy and leadership roundtable conference held online in the month of August. Dr. Rajan Mahtani was also invited as one of the honorary speakers during the event. As a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the event was held online and took place via YouTube medium. Nevertheless, several top leaders, visionaries and businesses took part in this event. Some of these included members from the international business communities, opinion leaders, political leaders, international investors, media partners and politicians. Dr. Rajan Mahtani took part in the conference from his office and discussed about the significance of healthcare leadership, especially political leadership in healthcare for the growth and development of the sector.

Apart from the critical roundtable conference that was also a source of generating financial funds and support for the ongoing projects across the continent, the business conference was further highlight of the year due to the annual ‘Best of Africa’ awards ceremony. These awards are given by Forbes, one of the top business magazines across the globe known for its global business, leadership and political rankings. The ‘Best of Arica’ awards are a set of business and corporate awards given to leaders, visionaries and businessmen with significant and long-term contributions towards growth and development of the African nation. The awards are developed by Forbes in partnership with Foreign Investment limited (FIN) and therefore hold special significance. The process of selecting the awardees is extremely transparent yet tedious and rigorous, comprising months of evaluation, background checks, verifications as well as interviews with the potential awardees to understand their leadership and philanthropic commitments of the present and the future.

Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani was awarded with the Forbes ‘Outstanding Entrepreneur of the year’ 2021 award for redefining the banking sector of Zambia.

Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani

Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani Wins ‘Outstanding Entrepreneur Of The Year’ Award

Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani was recently bestowed with one of the most prestigious business awards in Africa. This award ceremony is known as ‘Best of Africa’ awards and is given by Forbes in partnership with FIN (Foreign Investment Network). Forbes-FIN partnership recognise the contributions of businesses, leaders and philanthropists towards significant, outstanding and long-term contributions towards development of the African nation. The award ceremony is held during the annual Forbes-FIN leadership and philanthropy roundtable conference. This year’s roundtable conference was held online due to the ongoing pandemic and from Zambia, Dr. Rajan Mahtani was invited as a honorary speaker.

Dr. Rajan Mahtani was recognised for his significant business and philanthropic contributions and was given the prestigious Forbes ‘Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year’ award by Forbes. Dr. Rajan Mahtani is the Group Chairman of Mahtani Group. The company was established in 1981 in Zambia and quickly became one of the biggest conglomerates across Africa. The company expanded its operations to numerous geographies including Malawi, South Africa and several other international locations such as United Kingdom. Furthermore, the company also expanded its functions to different sectors such as Insurance, Mining, Financial Services, Agriculture, Real Estate and Energy. Across each of these sectors, Dr. Rajan Mahtani’s contributions towards upliftment and development have been numerous.

Apart from his business ventures, the philanthropic and charitable contributions from Dr. Rajan Mahtani have also been significant. Most of these contributions are often hidden from the general public. Dr. Rajan Mahtani founded the Prison Fellowship Zambia and is the current Chairman of the program. This program is affiliation to the PFI (Prison Fellowship International) in Washington DC and focusses on welfare of the inmates, ex-inmates and their families. The program also advocates fair and transparent criminal justice procedures. Furthermore, Dr. Rajan Mahtani also contributed to education sector with launch of the Stephen Malama award in 2013 which presents scholarship for top law graduates in Zambia.

Dr Rajan Mahtani

Multimillion-Pound Damage Claim By Dr. Mahtani Against Bob Diamond

Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani is one of the most famous and well-known businessman in Zambia. Recently, Dr. Mahtani named Bob Diamond and his former company Atlas Mara in a claim which included non-payment of dues. Atlas Mara is a banking group which was established by Bob Diamond, former CEO of Barclays. The dispute that came to light was associated with purchase of one Zambia-based bank.

Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani is a noted business tycoon from Zambia. Recently, Dr. Mahtani claimed that LSE (London Stock Exchange) listed firm Atlas Mara breached the contractual terms of share sales & purchase agreement established when the company tool legal control of the Finance Bank Zambia in the year 2015. To further the claim, Dr. Mahtani recently hired Omnia Strategy for bringing the case to London High Court. Omnia Strategy is a legal firm by the famous Cherie Blair. While the banking venture Atlas Mara has discredited the claim by considering it without merit, Dr. Rajan Mahtani is confident as he says he has the right documents and evidences to support his claim.

The case came to light when Atlas Mara has continued its retreatment from Africa by selling its business parts to the Access Bank. Atlas Mara was floated in the year 2013 by Bob Diamond with the objective of creating a banking giant across Africa. The plan further marked the return of Bob Diamond to Zambian city after his resignation as CEO of Barclays during the 2012 Libor-rigging scandal.

According to the claim established by Dr. Rajan Mahtani, Bob Diamond still owes Dr. Mahtani money from sale of the Finance Bank Zambia. Just like Dr. Mahtani, several other investors have made claims pursuing damages worth 100 million pounds. Dr. Mahtani’s claims comes as Bob Diamond attempts yet another comeback, this time with Space-listing worth a USD 4.5 billion of his cryptocurrency venture./p>

Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani is hopeful that the London High Court with take up this case with utmost sincerity and will provide quick judgement for his appeal.

Kenneth Kaunda

Dr. Mahtani In His Eulogy Urged Zambians To Follow The Path Of Righteousness

Entire Zambia is reeling with the loss of its first ever president, Kenneth Kaunda. Dr Rajan Mahtani is a noted businessman and philanthropist in Zambia with more than three decades of business experience. He is also known to Zambians as a notable philanthropist and charity worker. Dr. Mahtani and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda shared a deep bond with involves their similar philosophical views. Dr. Mahtani’s father, late Lekhraj Mahtani, was instrumental in helping Dr. Kaunda in his fight for Zambian independence. Late Lekhraj Mahtani was a councillor based out of Ndola area and provided significant support and collaboration which helped Dr. Kaunda in achieving his vision.

These qualities can be seen in Dr. Mahtani too who has taken the traits of his esteemed father as well as the ‘Father of the Zambian Nation’ Despite facing several allegations and baseless rumours, Kenneth Kaunda was able to work with integrity and honesty all his life. He was also known to be a lively person who enjoyed his life to the fullest. In a similar manner, Dr. Mahtani continued to work towards the betterment of the Zambian nation despite the various rumours and unethical claims against him. Dr. Mahtani and Dr. Kaunda share a special bond as Dr. Mahtani’s father, late Lekhraj Mahtani provided significant support and collaboration to Dr. Kaunda which helped him in his goal of uniting the Zambian nation. Kenneth Kaunda is credited for uniting more than 73 tribes across Zambia which resulted in Zambia being recognised as a nation in the world map. During his tenure as the President, Kenneth Kaunda worked towards improving the lives of the common citizens and work towards developing the nation’s infrastructure, political alliances and economy prosperity.

It is now time to take this legacy forward by dedicating towards the nation in the same zeal and passion. Businessmen like Dr. Mahtani are already working towards the Zambian nation and others should follow suit.

Dr. Rajan Mahtani Gives Eulogy For Late Kenneth Kaunda

Dr. Rajan Mahtani is a noted businessman and philanthropist in Zambia. The Zambian nation recently woke up to the sad news of the demise of the ‘Father of the Nation’ and the African Union Kenneth Kaunda. He was one of the most important freedom fighters for the Zambian nation. In his eulogy, Dr. Mahtani thanked Dr. Kaunda for his innumerable contributions to Zambian nation. The friendship between the Mahtani family and the Kaunda family goes way back when Dr. Rajan Mahtani’s father, late Lekhraj Mahtani, supported and collaborated with the independence fight with Dr. Kaunda. Both Dr. Mahtani and Dr. Kaunda have suffered numerous allegations during their lifetime and both have been able to brush them easily with transparency, ethics and integrity.

Dr. Mahtani is among those few businessmen in Zambia who is still following the path set by Dr. Kaunda, a path of honesty, transparency, faith in the god and a simple life. Dr. Kaunda was known for his selflessness and his love for the mankind and all its people. He was known for inspiring by God and its sacrifice towards the betterment of his people. He was also known for living his life fully and show others that age is never a factor when one’s wants to live and learn. Dr. Kenneth Kaunda had several hobbies and interests. He was a pianist, singer, guitarist, footballer, poet, writer, dancer as well as was known for his family values.

In his eulogy, Dr. Mahtani thanked Dr. Kaunda for his innumerable contributions to the Zambian society and nation. He has left a legacy of honesty, truth, purposeful life and transparency, ideals which each Zambian must follow for a fulfilled life. At the same time, it is important for the Zambian nation to continue the motto of ‘One Zambia, One Nation!’, a motto on which Dr. Kenneth Kaunda dedicated his life. The entire Mahtani family and the nation mourns the death of the first president of Zambian nation and prays for his blessings from heaven.

Dr Rajan Mahtani

SC Ends All Speculations Related To Portland Cement Ownership

Finsbury Investments identifies itself as a wholly-owned Investment company in Zambia. It is owned and managed by prominent businessman Dr. Rajan Mahtani, holding the position of Executive Chairman. Finsbury Investments took over majority shareholding and legal ownership of the Portland Cement Zambia limited through several restructuring processes. Based on an original shareholding agreement, the final shareholding pattern included 58 percent shares to Dr. Mahtani owned Finsbury Investments and 42 percent shares to Ventriglia-owned Ital Terrazzo Limited. Even though this share restructuring was accepted at first, the Ventriglia family decided to play another game. After Finsbury Investments secured the required loan from PTA as well as funds from several financial organizations, the authenticity of the shareholding agreement was questioned. This resulted in a case at the Lusaka High Court. Despite having all evidences and testimonials, the case not only dragged for more than a decade but also resulted in a controversial verdict.

Dr. Mahtani then approached the higher Court of Appeal with the objective of receiving justice. This time, his plea was heard and justice Mwinde announced Dr. Mahtani owned Finsbury Investments as the majority shareholder and legal owner of the Portland Cement Zambia factory. It seems like the Ventriglia family was extremely unhappy with this decision and proceeded towards launching another appeal, this time at the Supreme Court Zambia. It can be said that the attempt by the Ventriglia family to reach Supreme Court was their last resort. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court established a bench of three SC judges for evaluating the claim and found it to be misleading. It was found that the Ventriglia family was required to submit its claim within 14 days of the Court of Appeal’s judgement. However, the appeal was made after more than 1.5 years of the Court of Appeal. After proper evaluation, the Supreme Court Zambia came to the conclusion that the claim holds no ground and should be rejected.

The Claim Against Higher Court Of Appeal’s Decision On Portland Cement Rejected By SC

Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani is a noted businessman and philanthropist in Zambia. He is the owner of several top companies in Zambia, including Mahtani Group of Companies, Finsbury Investments and Finance Bank Zambia. During the period of 2006-2007, Finsbury Investments took over majority shareholding and legal ownership of the Portland Cement Zambia, a cement-manufacturing factory. Despite the establishment of an original shareholders agreement, the factory was unethically taken over by the Ventriglia family. Against this, Dr. Rajan Mahtani registered a case at the Lusaka High Court with the hopes of getting quick judgement. However, the Lusaka High Court failed to provide justice and announced the Ventriglias as the only shareholders of the Portland Cement Zambia.

After this decision, The Ventriglia family decided to challenge it by approaching the Supreme Court Zambia. A bench of threeSupreme Court Judges was established and several inconsistencies in the appeal by the Ventriglia family were found. First, the Ventriglia family failed to submit their claim within 14 days of the Court of Appeal’s decision and registered their claim at the Supreme Court Zambia only after 1.5 years. This clearly violates the legal and technical requirement for registering a case against a previous court decision. This issue only makes the appeal by the Ventriglia family liable for rejection. Furthermore, the Supreme Court bench also found that the circumstances surrounding the case by the Ventriglia family were controversial. As such, the Supreme Court bench declared that this appeal made by the Ventriglia family was beyond their jurisdiction and cannot be treated as an acceptable case. After much review and discussion, the Supreme Court bench gave the verdict on the claim by the Ventriglia family. It was effectively rejected by the Supreme Court Zambia due to lack of evidences as well as legal and technical qualifications. This means the legal ownership of the Zambezi Portland Cement factory remains with Dr. Rajan Mahtani.

Zambezi Portland Cement

Decision From Supreme Court Zambia On Appeal By The Ventriglia Out, Case Rejected By SC

The latest decision from the Supreme Court has finally ended the case of Zambezi Portland Cement after more than 12 years. The case can be easily described as one of the longest-pending cases in Zambian legal system and faced several setbacks and challenges due to unethical legal and corporate meddling and practices by parties. While the decision from the Supreme Court Zambia was with respect to the claim established by the Ventriglia family, their decision has invariably ensured the leadership and ownership of the Portland Cement Zambia factory.

The case goes more than a decade back when Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani first registered a case at the Lusaka High Court, claiming that his factory, Portland Cement Zambia was illegally taken from him. Despite having all evidences and testimonials, the verdict from the higher Court of Appeal was extremely misdirected as the Ventriglias were announced as only shareholders of the Portland Cement Zambia. To counter this misdirected decision, Dr. Rajan Mahtani took the case to the higher Court of Appeal. Judge Mwinde took over the case and gave his verdict on 31st January 2019. In his verdict, the decision from the Lusaka High Court was reversed and Dr. Rajan Mahtani was announced as majority shareholder and legal owner of the factory.

After more than 1.5 years of this decision, the Ventriglia family decided to claim against the decision of the higher Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court. In their claim, the Ventriglia family challenged the verdict of the higher Court of Appeal by calling it untrue. To evaluate this claim, a bench of three judges was established at the Supreme Court. Upon evaluation, the judges revealed that the Ventriglia family missed the deadline for registering appeal against previous court decision which is 15 days from the decision. As a result, the Supreme Court bench announced that the claim by the Ventriglia family was invalid and was outright rejected. As such, Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani remains the majority shareholder and legal owner of the Zambezi Portland Cement factory.

Dr. Rajan Mahtani

Dr. Rajan Mahtani Thankful For The Praise From Later Winner Of Steven Malama Award

Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani is one of the premier businessmen in Zambia who is noted for his business acumen, entrepreneurial spirit as well as his charitable and philanthropic contributions to the Zambian society and economy. One of these contributions has been the creation of the Steven Malama award in the year 2012, which was established for honouring the great contributions of the late Steven Malama.

The Steven Malama award has practically transformed the legal education system of Zambia. Apart from bringing nation-wide recognition and interest on the field of law, this award system has also improved the value and ranking of the institute. Now, students are found to be more dedicated and motivated to improve their studies for the award. While there have been numerous internal award systems by institutions, universities and colleges, the recognition of Steven Malama award is distinctive, partly due to the achievements by late Steven Malama. As such, the Steven Malama award is considered as one of the top educational awards in Zambia and the credit for this goes to Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani. Dr. Mahtani provided not only administrative and political support for the institution of the award, but also ensured its viability and credibility with the prize money awarded to winning students every year. This prize money is worth K15,000 which is a significant amount for deserving candidates, especially those coming from difficult financial backgrounds. Dr. Rajan Mahtani has never been the one to promote himself with this philanthropic and charitable activities and therefore, most of the students from the institute were unaware of Dr. Rajan Mahtani’s significant contribution in this award system. With this financial contribution, several students across the years have achieved this dreams, be it starting their own practice, getting training from top institutes as well as seed money for becoming entrepreneur. This amount has also helped many students to further their career by joining advanced legal programs and courses.