It seems like just the other day the people of Egypt were taking to Tahrir Square demanding the exit of their then president, Hosni Mubarak. One man however, really stood out from the crowd: Wael Ghonim - instigator of the uprising via Facebook. This Google executive, who's head of marketing for the MENA region, wasn't afraid to take a stand for the people and perhaps this is the kind of attitude needed from more business leaders.

Business leaders have just as big a role to play in society as governments do - sitting back and watching the chips fall as they may is unacceptable as their role, especially in developing countries, is pertinent in terms of investment and employment. Ghonim was recently on a panel at the IMF headquarters and openly reprimanded international institutions for supporting the Mubarak regime. Today the man is a hero who saw through the revolution with a firm stance. Many a business leaders could take a page out of his book.


Cheers, Sindy Peters (@sindylp), Africa editor

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