#Nassau, The Bahamas – March 22, 2020 — It is with profound sadness that The Bahamas mourns the death of Sol Kerzner, who died today at 84 at his family home in his native South Africa.
On
behalf of the Government and people of The Bahamas, and on my own behalf and
that of Patricia, I offer condolences to Sol’s children, family, friends and
colleagues.
Sol Kerzner was a global citizen who founded South
Africa’s largest hotel groups. A maverick
businessman and personality he was known for his creative genius and intrepid
spirit of innovation.
He was the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Kerzner
International, which for many years was the principal owner of the iconic
Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas.
He was also Founder of One&Only Resorts, a global brand which
included a world-class luxury property on Paradise Island.
For nearly half a century he was a pioneer in the resort
industry globally and helped to redevelop and transform tourism in The
Bahamas. He left an indelible and lasting imprint on The
Bahamas, which he loved and which he considered a second home.
In the Queen’s 2010 Birthday Honours list he was
honoured with an honorary knighthood, “with the award of the insignia Knight
Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George
(KCMG).”
No history of the
modern and independent Bahamas would be complete without reference to the
positive and pervasive impact that Sol Kerzner had on the social and economic
development of The Bahamas.
More than 30 years
ago, this visionary and creative force of a man arrived in The Bahamas with
grand ideas at a time when Bahamas tourism needed to emerge from the
doldrums.
Despite opposition
from some quarters, Kerzner and the government of the day collaborated in the
rejuvenation of tourism in The Bahamas.
The size, the scope,
the financial commitment and the nature of his investments were such statements
of confidence in our country that they shone a new light on The Bahamas, which
endures.
The genius of the
Atlantis resort project theme took full advantage of the unequalled reputation
that The Bahamas already had for the clarity of our waters and the magnificence
of our beaches. Atlantis quickly became
one of the great resort wonders of the world.
Indeed, some of its
construction techniques were so innovative that Bahamian entrepreneurs who
acquired the skills later afforded those newfound skills to developments in
several other countries. Sol Kerzner helped to nurture Bahamian talent and
expertise at every level.
The number of
Bahamians employed directly on Paradise Island because of Sol Kerzner grew from
slightly more than 3,000 to nearly 8,000 and is, by far, the largest private
employer in the history of The Bahamas.
While The Bahamas
claims Sol Kerzner as an important contributor to our social and economic
development, we long recognized that he belonged to the world.
His work on Paradise
Island is regarded architecturally as one of
the most successful transformations in the history of resort development. What he created on
Paradise Island was so successful and so iconic that it was duplicated almost
brick for brick in Dubai.
Even as we mourn his
passing, we celebrate Sol Kerzner’s tremendous contributions to The Bahamas and
to many countries throughout the world.