Fighting the good fight
The winner of the Top 35-under-35 Influence category gets judged on how they are impacting people, and how they make a difference in not only their personal spheres of influence but also the impact they have on society.
Christiaan van den Berg (28)
Co-Founder and Co-CEO, JOBJACK
Christiaan van den Berg CA(SA), co-founder and co-CEO of JOBJACK, has more than excelled and therefore walked away as the Influence category winner of 2022 at the awards ceremony in November.
‘It felt incredible to have won the Influence category award,’ exclaims Christiaan, ‘especially among such an incredible Top 35 group. I am really thankful that our impact at JOBJACK is being recognised.’
Christiaan is passionate about bringing change to those less fortunate, utilising the platforms he has access to, to drive these changes: CA(SA) being one of the forefronts of these blessings,’ he smiles.
‘Having been fortunate enough to receive a prestigious qualification and thereby having been exposed to an incredible way of thinking with regards to sustainable business practices and processes as well as ethical practices, I can now apply those scalable practices to create impact around me to those not as fortunate as myself. It is up to us as CAs(SA) to grow the economy and be change-leaders by setting an example.’
He was inspired by the example set by his father to become a CA(SA). ’That, and the idea that it would be the best base to have if I wanted to enter the world of entrepreneurship and problem-solving.’
A journey of perseverance
For him, the journey has been one of perseverance. ‘My personality is definitely not theory-driven, so when I passed ITC, I knew it was inevitable. Even after some setbacks such as spending a year in and out of hospital, in a wheelchair, on crutches, and 11 surgeries after an accident where I almost lost my leg, I realised that the journey was possible through the guidance of God.’
During his SAICA articles at PKF in 2016, Christiaan was confronted with a major concern. ‘As easy as it was for me to find work after my studies, the people around me had major struggles in finding their first job, especially those without tertiary education. It was impossible for them.’
With the exposure he received in different systems and markets, Christiaan started probing this problem, looking at solutions – something that could help at scale.
JOBJACK is a technology platform that automated the entire entry-level recruitment process for all parties involved. ‘We make entry-level opportunities accessible to low-income job seekers. Where the norm is for them to spend up to R932 per month on printing and transport costs to try and find employment, we make such opportunities accessible via their phone on a web browser at no cost to create an online CV or profile and connect them to thousands of opportunities that they can apply for,’ he explains.
Companies can then streamline their recruitment process by an automated process in which they are connected to relevant candidates that fit their opportunities best − saving all parties major costs and time.
Passion creates meaningful change
JOBJACK currently has over 1 200 000 registered job seekers and is growing by 3 000 job seekers per day. ‘We service over 2 000 employer sites across South Africa, including employers such as PEP Stores, Woolworths, the City of Cape Town, TFG, McDonald’s, KFC, and many more.’
They have, over the past almost three years, placed over 8 000 low-income individuals in sustainable job opportunities. The aim is to place another 20 000 in the next 18 months.
’Our impact survey has also found that, on average, each individual placed has about 4−5 dependants, thus resulting in the life improvement of at least 32 000 people so far.’
It is important to Christiaan to challenge the status quo. ‘Our outlook, mindset and society would seize to grow if we do not challenge the status quo.’
He is passionate about people. ‘Especially creating a mindset where you aim to be the best part of someone else’s day,’ he smiles. ‘I also really have the drive to learn, share and shape a norm where an entrepreneur or leader’s first focus is family.’
Every morning this husband and father of one wakes up excited to take on the day. ‘Partly due to the selfish reasons of the amazing position I’ve found myself blessed with as each day, I get to work with incredible individuals whom I have surrounded myself with who have come to share my passion.’
In a society that has a 65% youth unemployment rate, Christiaan sees it as an amazing opportunity to be able to inspire a team to connect hundreds of desperate individuals to job opportunities to be able to support their households.
Be a difference maker
He sees himself as a difference maker because he openly shares his passions, struggles, fight, and mission to change the societal norm of the unemployment loop due to inaccessibility to opportunities. ‘And it seems that this in turn ignites those around me to also become difference makers and share in my passions, struggles, fight, and mission to #EmploytheWorld.’
Christiaan believes he received the Influence award because of JOBJACK’s amazing work. ‘We are changing thousands of lives by connecting entry-level job seekers to relevant opportunities. We really are having a big influence on South Africa’s employment.’
Fighting the good fight is a big motivator for Christiaan. ‘I hope that this sparks encouragement to others to use their platform and skills to take on social issues.’
He realises the value in the amazing connections that one has the opportunity to be exposed to during the Top 35 process, as well as the recognitional and exposure that JOBJACK would receive.
Lead, inspire and enable
Christiaan’s main focus each day is to lead, inspire and enable the amazing team at JOBJACK, which has grown from seven people in January 2021 to 32 champions and growing monthly. In 2021 they won NSBC’s Small Business of the Year: Technology.
‘This journey so far is only the start. Within the next 18 months, we plan on starting to expand across Africa and other emerging markets across the world thereafter in our mission to Employ the World.’
Christiaan’s advice to young and aspiring CAs(SA) is to back yourself. ‘Whether listening to your intuition or simply forming healthy habits – the world is yours for the taking and the only thing keeping you back is usually the limits you place on yourself.’
Author
Marteli Brewis
