Two years ago Brett Tromp, CFO of Medici, emigrated with his wife Candice and their beautiful family to Texas. They have twin boys, Matthew and Joshua, who are 19, and a daughter, Christin, who is 13. Despite the intensity of his work responsibilities, even in his former role as CFO of Discovery Health in South Africa, Brett has made a point to put his family first, from making time for fun family vacations to attending almost every sports game. Let’s just say that he is what you call a role model dad …
‘The boys are like two peas in a pod − they share similar interests, play the same sports, and are incredibly smart. Christin is a tall, beautiful girl who loves her friends, makeup, and, of course, her iPhone. She recently won the All-Sport All-Star Award at her school, showcasing her talent as a sportswoman,’ describes Brett, proudly.
What are some of your best moments as a father?
There are so many. Their births were incredible, and I’ve loved every stage of their lives. Travelling with them and watching them play sports are some of my best moments. And their trust in their faith.
As a father with many years of experience, what advice do you give other dads?
Enjoy each stage and don’t wish it away. Teach them to love and care for others − we cherish our Christian faith. We have a saying: ‘We love you when you’re good, we love you when you’re bad, and we love you all the time.’ Our love as parents of our children is not dependent on their performance.
What are some of your favourite memories as a family?
Travelling together − we’ve enjoyed eight boat cruises. We spend most of our December holidays in Plettenberg Bay. Travelling to watch sports is another cherished memory.
How do you manage work/life balance?
Set your boundaries early on as a father. I always gave my best at work but made it a point to never miss any of my kids’ sports games, no matter the day or time. I achieved a 90% success rate in this commitment.
What do you love doing with your boys?
Golfing and travelling to watch their sports events. The boys are professional cricket players and play in the major league cricket competition.
What do you love doing with your daughter?
Shopping and our annual daddy-daughter weekend away.
What values do you try to instil in your kids?
Christian values − love, care, and integrity.
What are your thoughts around social media?
Most studies show the negative impacts of social media on kids, so I’m not a big fan. However, I realise that kids can’t live without it, so we enforce strict time limits for screen time and restrict the social media sites they can access.
So what do the kids say about their dad?
Matt: ‘My dad is my role model. I look up to him in everything, whether it’s his faith in God, how good of a dad he is, or how determined and disciplined he is in everything he does. He is the kindest person in the world, always putting others ahead of himself. He is an amazing person that everyone loves. He truly is the best.’
Josh: ‘Dad, you are my hero, you have always been my biggest supporter through the highs and the lows. You are an amazing father to me Matt and Christin. I hope one day I will be able to grow up and be like you. Your faith in God, your hard work and your love for the people around you is something I hope to be one day. I will always be so grateful to call you my dad.’
Christin: ‘My dad is someone I can always count on, he never lets you down. He is so kind and always puts people first. My dad is someone I look up to. I am so lucky to have someone like my dad.’
Author
Lynn Grala, Acting Editor of Accountancy SA magazine
