ABDUL-GAFOOR YAKUB
Chairman & CEO
Penlac Co. Ltd. | Chaka Brothers (Pty) Ltd. | Seychelles
Janam Bhumi:
Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles
Dharma Bhumi:
Valan, Vadodara, Gujarat
Karma Bhumi:
Victoria, Seychelles
Creole Heart, Bhartiya Soul, Global Outlook
The ‘Abdul-Gafoor’ Factor: “Success is not about making a fortune but making a difference in society.”
THE MAN
In the sun-drenched archipelago of Seychelles, where cultures collide and harmonise, Abdul-Gafoor Yakub has emerged as a bridge between heritage and modernity. Born in Victoria, Mahe, into a family of Indian descent from Valan, Vadodara in Gujarat, his identity has always been steeped in duality, i.e., Indian in soul, Seychellois in heart. His parents, both Seychelles-born but proud Indians, nurtured a sense of belonging that transcended geography. A boy who learned to swim in the Indian Ocean and spent carefree days fishing along the coast, Abdul-Gafoor also recalls playing barefoot football in the streets of Victoria, improvising with tennis balls or rolled-up paper, as part of a vibrant community. The early exposure to multiculturalism and simplicity grounded him in humility, empathy, and resilience.
THE JOURNEY
Pursuing academic excellence abroad, Abdul-Gafoor secured a BA (Hons) in Accounting & Finance, followed by an MBA in International Business and Export Management at the City University Business School in the UK in 1983. Working in London as an Audit and Accounts Supervisor for two years, he gained global outlook and sharpened his financial acumen. His professional star continued to shine between 1985-1994 as he rose in the Seychelles’ Ministry of Finance from Senior Finance Officer to the youngest Director General of Financial Planning and Control in charge of the National Budget amongst other critical tasks. In 1994, he opted to serve as CEO of the Development Bank of Seychelles where he initiated transformational reforms before heading to the IMF as Technical Adviser to the IMF’s Executive Director in Washington, DC in 1996. There, he contributed to policy issues and macroeconomic stability programs across Africa and the Pacific island states. When he returned home after almost 10 years, he was tasked to revitalise legacy family businesses, Penlac Company Ltd and Chaka Brothers (Pty) Ltd. He transformed Penlac into Seychelles’ largest paint manufacturer, championing green chemistry and eco-innovation, receiving the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry Best Manufacturer Award two years in a row. As Chair of the Seychelles International Mercantile Banking Company (Nouvobanq) for 5 years, he implemented policies for financial inclusivity and sustainability, impacting the nation’s economic future.
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
Abdul-Gafoor’s giving is holistic, guided by the ‘Law of Reciprocity’: “The more you give, the more you get. When giving is done without expecting anything in return, it becomes a true act of kindness.”
The act is not just about donating money, it is also about investing time and spirit into uplifting society, starting from tsunami relief efforts to supporting homes for the elderly and fostering autism awareness through his art patronage, something he is very passionate about. Through direct engagement with young artists and patronage, he has modestly supported art therapy sessions for neurodiverse youth, and frequently visits exhibitions showcasing their work.
Abdul-Gafoor’s philanthropy is discreet. It focuses more on positive change than anything else. Each initiative is a personal cause, including the preservation of cultural heritage as part of his vision for Seychelles’ Creole legacy. His acts of selflessness reverberate in his offices, exhibitions, homes, and the walls of La Maison Chaka, a historic colonial building that is being restored and conserved through his efforts.
THE LEGACY
A man can achieve anything he sets his sights on with the support of loved ones. The values of his grandparents and parents became the base on which Abdul-Gafoor built his own family life. His wife, Hava, born and raised in the UK with roots in Rander, Surat, complements his journey as a quiet force, offering moral support and intellectual companionship. Their daughter, Hana Hasina, is pursuing medicine while nurturing an interest in management, a testament to the family’s encouragement of multidisciplinary growth.
Formal accolades and acknowledgements from domestic and international institutions continue to come his way. Not that, they are Abdul-Gafoor’s motivation. All he hopes to do is pass on his business leadership along with the values of service, humility, and cultural pride to the next generation, including his nephews and nieces.
Abdul-Gafoor may be many things to many people. But perhaps the most appropriate way to describe him is in Seychelles’ Creole. He is “Zanfan Seselwa avek en lespri tre for” (Seychellois son with a strong spirit).
MAPPING THE INDIA WITHIN
Bharat: Then and Now
As a child growing up in Seychelles, I felt I was part of a multicultural society – a melting pot of influences. Even though my parents were born in Seychelles, they were proud to be Indians. I learnt about the peculiarities of Indian food, music and dress code from them and their Indian friends. To me, Bharat represents a civilisation that has evolved over millennia, characterised by unity in diversity. Of course, progress has its cons. In my childhood, people were neighbourly, courteous, helpful and polite. With smartphones, we’ve become less interactive and poor at interpersonal conversations.”
Bharatiya Values that Travelled
“My parents taught me what it meant to be Indian—respecting elders, valuing community, and staying grounded in our moral compass. Those values travel with me everywhere. Both my family businesses, Penlac and Chaka Brothers, are guided by principles I trace back to my Indian mindset: self-reliance, compassion, and responsibility to society. My identity as a Bharatiya also lives in my family values and I continue to pass on those to the next generation.”
Generations Abroad: A New Bharatiya Identity
“Being a third-generation Indian abroad, I see my identity as both inherited and evolving. Our Gujarati roots give us strength, and the diverse culture of Seychelles has broadened my understanding of Indianness. Living among people of all faiths taught me inclusivity. It didn’t dilute my heritage, it enriched it. My daughter and my nieces and nephews are being taught to appreciate not just our Gujarati heritage, but also our Indian culture. Above all, I want to instill in them the importance of tolerance and embracing the unity in diversity that India encompasses.”
Pride, Progress, and the Spirit Of Bharat
“When I see Indian brands at global trade fairs, I feel pride. India’s spirit of innovation and sustainability is reshaping the world, and I try to reflect that in my own work. Business, to me, is not just profit. It’s about values, traditions, innovations, and creating something that uplifts others.”
Dreams for the Youth and Future of Bharat
“I dream of an India where faiths unite, where sustainability guides our actions, and where development is both ethical and inclusive. This is a huge responsibility and it is the youth who have to take it on. The youth are the backbone of Bharat. I would tell them to use their talents to make the world better than they found it. We need to nurture a society where merit is valued over connections, and where young people look up from their screens and engage, with people, with ideas, with purpose.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE – IN FIVE MOMENTS
Food Cravings
THEN
I enjoyed home-cooked Gujarati thali—bhaji, roti, and family meals.
NOW
I still cherish traditional Indian cuisine and share it with my family.
Sport Spirit
THEN
I swam in the Indian Ocean and fished with friends along the Mahé shore.
NOW
I continue to value the outdoors and the balance it brings.
Music Tastes
THEN
I was immersed in classical Indian music and cultural sounds.
NOW
I honour traditional music while embracing Seychelles’ multicultural rhythms.
Holiday Life
THEN
We celebrated festivals like Holi and Diwali with the local Indian community.
NOW
I maintain those traditions and make regular visits to India.
Leisure Habits
THEN
I walked through Victoria greeting neighbours and living simply.
NOW
I value real human connection over screen time and digital noise.
AKA
Abdul-Gafoor Yakub Chairman Penlac Co. Ltd. | Abdul-Gafoor Yakub CEO Chaka Brothers (Pty) Ltd. | Business Leader Abdul-Gafoor Yakub
