Dr Taddy Blecher’s Bold Plan to Transform Johannesburg’s CBD into Education Town

The Maharishi Invincibility Institute, a non-profit and self-development organisation, recently made headlines when Anglo American announced that it would donate its 45 Main Street building in downtown Johannesburg to the institute. The building is estimated to be worth R100 million. The donation will support youth development and Johannesburg's urban renewal efforts. In an interview with Biznews, Dr. Taddy Blecher, CEO of the institute, shared his ambitious plans to turn the CBD into an Education Town. It would be a Herculean task. Derelict buildings vacated by big businesses are scattered throughout the city and have become symbols of Johannesburg's decline—a city that was once the vibrant heart of South Africa's economy. A recent fire in a hijacked building claimed the lives of 70 people. Dr. Blecher said he is not prepared to say it is too hard. He sees Washington's urban renewal, where a successful education institution changed a whole precinct, as an example that he would like to follow. The former actuarial scientist also draws inspiration from the remarkable success stories of his students from underprivileged backgrounds, and he boldly challenged Biznews to return in five years to witness the remarkable progress first-hand.