Bedfordview’s Alberto receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Bedfordview’s Alberto Fogolin is the latest recipient of the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award from the Italian South African Chamber of Trade and Industries.
Alberto said the announcement that he would receive the award was a surprise and an honour.

To receive the award, the recipient must have excelled in business and their philanthropy endeavours.

“I’ve never done anything in my life to be rewarded. I’ve rather done it for love and passion,” Alberto said.

Alberto was born into an Italian family in June 1945. He matriculated from Northview High School before graduating from Wits University in 1972 with BSc Honours in quantity surveying.
He started his construction business in 1973 and was registered with the Master Builders Association the same year.

Over nearly four decades in the construction industry, Alberto has racked up several awards for his buildings across the East Rand.
He has built numerous churches on the East Rand, including Catholic and Dutch Reform.

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His constructions of the Russian Orthodox Church saw Alberto receive the Patriarch Medal of Church Building.
The NG churches in Alberton and Kempton Park, as well as the Lutheran Church in Germiston are also among those in his building portfolio.
Alberto said some of his most intricate buildings took place when he completed a mosque and a synagogue.

Adding to his list of award-winning construction pieces are libraries in Boksburg and Sasolburg.
Over the years, Alberto believed in giving back to the communities he worked in as much as they had given to him.
He served on the committee for Boys Town from 1987 to 1999.

Alberto has also led the fund-raising committees on several outreach projects assisting with schooling and skills training for those previously disadvantaged.

In 2001, he found himself involved with St Francis Care Centre and subsequently served on its committee for 15 years.

In his dealings with St Francis Care Centre, he met Fr Stan Brennan. Inspired by the work the priest had done in his community, Alberto self-funded the writing of a biography on the life of the father.

As a result of his dedication to improving the lives of others, he was named the Boksburg Celebrity of the Year in 2007.

Helping the youth has always been a passion for Alberto.
“I’ve helped boxer Flo Simba and South African opera singer Siyabonga Maqungo.”
Seeking something different, Alberto more recently became involved with Red Star Raceway in Delmas.

“I have had an interesting life. At times it has been challenging, but I would do it all again.”
Alberto said his wife of 35 years, Barbara, has been integral in his success.

“She is one of the pillars of my life and my best friend. She is always supportive in what I do, and nothing I ask her is ever too much.”

Alberto and Barbara have five sons who have all, in some way, followed in their father’s footsteps.
He said in life and business there are four pillars to achieve success.

“Firstly, set a vision for yourself. Secondly, you need to have a support system that inspires you every day. Thirdly, remember reputation. It takes years to build up a reputation of trust, but it takes just one minute for it to be destroyed.

“Lastly, share your success with others. Use what you have to build others up and share what you have with those who need it,” Alberto said.

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