Beyond phenomenal These are the game-changers, the out of the ordinary under 35 CAs(SA) for 2017
DYLAN WUTH (35), DIRECTOR OF IKHWEZI FOODS T/A TRADESTAR
Describe yourself in a few words. I live life to the fullest.
Your favourite hobby? Deep sea kayak fishing.
The greatest lesson learnt in your lifetime? Monetary success is as much about enjoying the ride to accumulating wealth as the wealth itself.
The best advice you would give someone leaving Grade 12? Take a step back and identify your ultimate goal before jumping into a career path. Success is truly achieved if you align your passion with your career.
Your favourite holiday destination and why? Mozambique – white sandy beaches, crystal clear water and great fishing.
Your favourite gadget? Garmin Striker 4 Fishfinder/GPS combo.
JONATHAN STRENG (34), SENIOR LECTURER AT UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Describe yourself in a few words. Laid back, unperturbed, cheerful.
Your favourite hobbies? Wake-boarding, snowboarding, cliff jumping.
Something most people don’t know about you? I’m also a musician and have played for, and alongside, a number of well-known local artists.
Your secret key to success? Talent will only get you so far in life – all things also require dedication, hard work and practice for excellence.
The best advice you would give someone leaving Grade 12? A good friend of mine once said, ‘If you are the best plumber in town, you will be rich.’ The idea really stuck with me … be great at whatever it is you do.
RIVALANI GLEN NTULI (34), CEO OF MNB CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
Describe yourself in a few words. I am a friendly person who gets along with everyone and likes making things happen. And very ambitious.
Your favourite hobby? Getting together with friends and watching sports on TV.
The greatest lesson learnt in your lifetime? Anything is possible; you just need to believe and work towards achieving what you believe in.
Your secret key to success? Hard work.
Your favourite holiday destination and why? Dubai – the city is growing, people are friendly, there is less crime and it offers a lot of activities – from safari drives to ballooning and playing with dolphins.
Something you can’t live without? God’s grace in my life.
TYRON BARNARD (31), HEAD OF AUDIT TRAINING AT KPMG
Describe yourself in a few words. My nickname is Jabu, which means happiness. (This is also my son’s middle name.) This is the best way to describe me. I like to work hard and play hard. If you aren’t enjoying life, you aren’t living!
Your favourite hobby? Anything to do with sport.
Something most people don’t know about you? I’m petrified of roller coasters!
The greatest lesson learnt in your lifetime? Failure is not the end of the road but rather another opportunity to find inspiration. Sometimes things in life happen to you so that you can inspire others.
COENRAAD STOKES (34), MANAGING PARTNER AT BERACA ACCOUNTANTS AND AUDITORS
Something most people don’t know about you? After school, I started working at my dad’s audit firm, learned from him every day and became a partner after seven years and later bought the audit firm. I only had one boss, one workplace and one interview for a job thus far.
Your secret key to success? No secret: only long hours, continuous learning and studying, and hard work.
The best advice you would give someone leaving Grade 12? Find your passion and make a living from it. If you live your passion, you will make a success and you will not work a day in your life.
Something you can’t live without? My family.
LUKHANYO DABULA (35), MD OF GAMERZ EXPLOSION
Describe yourself in a few words. Entrepreneur to the core.
Your favourite hobby? Running.
Something most people don’t know about you? I started my entrepreneurial journey in high school at age 15 selling car speakers.
The greatest lesson learnt in your lifetime? Always focus on re-engineering yourself by learning new things.
Your secret key to success? I forgive quickly, myself and others.
The best advice you would give someone leaving Grade 12? Position yourself to be ahead of the pack by learning skills that will be in demand 5–10 years from now.
Your favourite holiday destination and why? The Wild Coast because the waves are ‘exhilaratingly brutal’.
FRANCOIS HERBST (30), MD OF HOUSE OF GROWTH (PTY) LTD
Describe yourself in a few words. I am a life optimist and very strategic minded.
Your favourite hobbies? Mountain biking and reading.
Something most people don’t know about you? I am an introvert.
Your secret key to success? Networking and relationships.
The mantra you live by? Celebrate the small victories.
Best advice you would give someone leaving Grade 12? Do not be afraid, find what you love, and do it.
Your favourite holiday destination and why? Ireland: beautiful country and I love their local music and great people.
Montaque Swanepoel (29), Founder of CFO360
Describe yourself in a few words. I’m a constant student of life and everything my curiosity leads me to. I don’t like losing. I enjoy a challenge and the smaller things in life.
Something most people don’t know about you? I enjoy classical music. And I once cycled to Cape Town with a mate.
Greatest lesson learnt in your lifetime? Soft skills are as important and, in some cases, more important.
The mantra you live by? Progress isn’t made by the early risers. It’s made by lazy men finding easier ways to do something … So stop and think – is there a better way to do this?
JACOBUS DE NYSSCHEN (32), DIRECTOR AND CO-OWNER OF CREATIVE CFO
Describe yourself in a few words. I am passionate about building businesses and creating growth through engineering innovative solutions. I’m a strategist, an adventurer, and I am interesting.
Something most people don’t know about you? I incorporated the world’s first fully licensed Bitcoin-only sportsbook and casino, which is registered in Curaçao, a Dutch Caribbean island, in 2014.
The greatest lesson learnt in your lifetime? Persevere.
Your secret key to success? I will act now.
The mantra you live by? Treat all people with unwavering kindness and respect.
Something you can’t live without? My wife and two kids.
Your favourite gadget? I am a minimalist.
ITUMELENG BARNARD (30), FOUNDER OF INSPIRED TRENDS UNDESIGNED (ITU)
Describe yourself in a few words. Innovative, strong-willed and perfectionist.
Your favourite hobby? Travel.
Something most people don’t know about you? I have a habit of setting goals every five years.
The greatest lesson learnt in your lifetime? Before you give up on your dream, look around and see who’s watching. For all you know, you might destroy someone else’s hopes and that might be someone closest to you.
Your secret key to success? It’s a secret, but it starts with believing that you can achieve what you put your mind to.
LYLE MALANDER (29), DIRECTOR OF MALANDER INC, MALANDER PLACEMENTS AND MALANDER DIGITAL
Describe yourself in a few words. I am motivated and goal oriented and have a constant desire to grow and enhance myself.
Your favourite hobby? Soccer and other team sports. It’s a great way to network and build friendships.
Something most people don’t know about you? I had a humble upbringing and spent a large part of my younger years growing up in Mitchells Plain on the Cape Flats. I look back on this with fond memories as it has moulded me into the person I am today.
The greatest lesson learnt in your lifetime? No matter what your current situation or background, you have the ability to change your future.
ROBERT ZWANE (34), DIRECTOR: EDUCATION & TRANSFORMATION AT IRBA
Describe yourself in a few words. I’m driven by youth development and seeing young people prosper. I believe in ‘servant leadership’ – all leadership positions must be about serving those that have shown confidence in you by putting you in that position of leadership.
Something most people don’t know about you? I am the second youngest of ten children and the first one to go to university. My little sister followed.
Your secret key to success? Glorify God in all you do.
The mantra you live by? ‘Who of you by worrying can add an hour to your life?’
ELTON PULLEN (33), SENIOR LECTURER AT UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE (UWC)
Describe yourself in a few words. Extremely down to earth, always willing to learn, and like to encourage others.
Your favourite hobby? Saturday morning park runs.
The greatest lesson learnt in your lifetime? Life is precious and should not be taken for granted.
Your secret key to success? Always being willing to learn. Believing everybody has value. I believe in treating the janitor the same way you would treat the CEO.
The mantra you live by? Love God, love people.
Your favourite holiday destination and why? Blouwaterbaai in Saldanha Bay, Western Cape. My best memories as a young boy.
LYLE LAXTON (34), CEO OF LAXTON GROUP LIMITED
Describe yourself in a few words. I am a forward thinker. I am a team player. I am fair and I am a man of my word. When I do something, I always try to do it to the best of my ability.
Your favourite hobby? Snowboarding down long trails and glaciers in big beautiful mountain ranges around the world.
Something most people don’t know about you? I am an introvert. I had to learn how to be more extroverted.
The greatest lesson learnt in your lifetime? Focus your time and energy on your family and the few people in your life who really matter. Give your best to them without expecting anything back in return.
AYANDA KANANA (35), MANAGING EXECUTIVE AT METROPOLITAN TRADING COMPANY (SOC) LTD
Describe yourself in a few words. Resilient, consistent, motivated by challenges.
Your favourite hobby? Horse riding.
Something most people don’t know about you? I sometimes assist my sheep at lambing time.
Greatest lesson learnt in your life time? Humility is free but not everyone can afford it.
Your secret key to success? Don’t try and be everything to everyone.
Favourite holiday destination and why? Madikwe Game Reserve, in North West. I have the best sightings of the Big 5 there.
Your favourite gadget? My headphones.
ISMAIL ADAM (31), CFO AT SETSHABA RESEARCH CENTRE
Describe yourself in a few words. I am a passionate, enthusiastic individual who enjoys being challenged and being exposed to new things. I love being able to make a difference and am driven by the impact or value that I can add.
The greatest lesson learnt in your lifetime? Doing good for a good deed done to you is simply repayment, whereas doing good for an evil done to you is a tremendous virtue.
Your secret key to success? Consistency is the key ingredient to achieving greatness.
Best advice you would give someone leaving Grade 12? Don’t ever let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do.
