Called the “Sun King” in his native country, Kerzner’s golden touch has made him one of South Africa’s wealthiest entrepreneurs. <\/P><\/p>\n
Likened to Donald Trump, Kerzner knows how to use celebrities and glamor to publicize openings and expansions in this global hotel and casino empire, mixing business with pleasure. <\/P><\/p>\n
He owns luxury hotels and casinos in Mauritius, the Bahamas, Mexico, the U.S. and Dubai — and is planning to open many more. <\/P><\/p>\n
Kerzner says: “I am not mad about shmoozing. I’ve made some very good friends. But you know to me it’s really a business.” <\/P><\/p>\n
But along with the glamor has come much controversy. <\/P><\/p>\n
Kerzner conceived and built Sun City in South Africa. Music concerts in the city’s Superbowl broke a cultural boycott against the apartheid government, angering those in the anti-apartheid movement and spawning a 1980s protest called “We won’t play at Sun City.” <\/P><\/p>\n
With Sun City long sold, Kerzner’s empire is now founded on his Atlantis resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. <\/P><\/p>\n
It is grand, bold and kitsch, but hugely successful, in spite of the depressed tourist industry post September 11, 2001. Now he plans a $600 million dollar expansion. <\/P><\/p>\n
Kerzner’s son, Butch, who is President of Kerzner International, says Atlantis is successful because it is varied: “Not just a hotel, not just gaming operations, not just a theme park, not just world’s largest marine habitat. It’s about pulling all these things together in a pretty neat way.” <\/P><\/p>\n
Three packs a day
\nThe Kerzners’ whole lifestyle is extravagant. Even Sol Kerzner’s intake of coffee, cigarettes and whisky has been on a legendary scale. <\/P><\/p>\n
“I used to smoke three packs a day, until 1993 when I had a heart attack,” he says. “Now I play with these worry beads instead of cigarettes. <\/P><\/p>\n
“I still enjoy a Black Label and am able to continue having a drink here and there.” <\/P><\/p>\n
Kerzner knows his reputation precedes him — from allegations of bribery to stories of wild boardroom antics. But this has not stopped his drive to expand his empire. <\/P><\/p>\n
In Britain, his company is looking to shake up the traditionally stuffy British gaming industry, creating more flamboyant, American-style casinos. <\/P><\/p>\n
And it is rolling out more luxury hotels worldwide under the “One and Only” brand.<\/P><\/p>\n
Robyn Curnow, CNN
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