I started my career immediately after finishing High School, there wasn’t money to go to University but I was and is always a hard worker, and that would be my lifelong motto. From humble beginnings as a General worker at Steinmuller on one of Sasol’s biggest projects, the construction of the Sa’s Reactors, I quickly worked my way up to a pipe fitter. Then the opportunity came up to do a Apprenticeship at Sasol Coal as a Millwright, even though my salary dropped by a huge amount, the bigger plan was always to work myself to a better future. I studied and did additional courses while completing my apprenticeship. I finished my apprenticeship with high honors and continued my journey towards better myself. There was a opening for a apprenticeship in Instrumentation at Sasol Nitro and I went for the interview. When asked why I would consider doing this instead of continuing my career as a Millwright, my answer was the same, I wanted to improve myself as much as I can with every opportunity I get. I worked and studied for my Instrumentation technician Qualifications at Sasol Nitro and I started a small business on the side for extra income. With major Shutdowns at Sasol I took the opportunities to gain extra experience in a new environment. Completing two Shutdowns in two consecutive years for DEC Dillinger, where I started my first Shutdown as artisan in 2000, I quickly caught the attention of the Management team’s of both Dillinger and Sasol. I was promoted to a Foreman with a team of 8 on day one, to a Supervisor with 4 Foreman and 30 people on day two of the Shutdown. With all my knowledge I was handed the Critical path tasks on day four, it was already 2 days behind Schedule and we only had nine days to Complete all tasks. We ended the tasks two days and five hours before the time, working 16 to 18 hour shifts showed our commitment and dedication, and we were awarded team of the Shutdown. My small business was also gaining ground real fast, and with a wife and a baby, working up to 18 hours a day wasn’t easy. Then another opportunity came up, I was approached by Sasol to do work as a Contractor, I had my Mother start a Company in her name and worked there after hours and Weekends, running the projects and developing SWP and SOP’s for the team to use to get work done safely and efficiently. But the Company grew too fast and 7 Months before I would be sent to do my trade test as a Instrumentation technician, I sat down with my Manager and Engineer to discuss this situation. Even though they were reluctant to loose me, they both agreed that it would be best to pursue the opportunity, but I would be welcome back anytime. In my time at Sasol Nitro I worked as an electrician, fitter and instrumentation technician, covering three positions while studying and occasionally standing in as Group Leader. I finished my career as a Senior Specialist Instrument technician at Sasol Nitro Fertilizer. Today I am the CEO of my own Company and Operations Manager of another Company. I have a Mechanical Engineering Company that does On-Site Machining, Cold Cutting, Flange facing and Fabrication. I oversee the operations of LaserTech, a laser cleaning Company that provides laser cleaning services, but that doesn’t mean I sit in a Office the whole day. I am a hands on type of person, I like to get my hands on the equipment and operate or fix things. I like to know what challenges my team is facing. I want to know what,why and how things work in different areas and environments. What reasons there are if something takes longer than it should. And to show my team that I am a leader and also human, I like to have a relationship with the people I work with and I work for. I am constantly looking for new opportunities, innovation, technology to make myself better. Something that is also one of my best attributes and sometimes one of my biggest weaknesses, I am never happy with average, I have pride in my work and will never stop or give up. I will complete whatever I need to do and ensure that the work is accomplished and in top condition.
I have always been a sports fanatic, competing in various sports myself I have dedicated a lot of time analyzing each sport to ensure that I have enough knowledge and experience to understand what is best. I attended courses and seminars, did training sessions and implemented my knowledge to help myself and other athletes. I have always been very interested in the medical field and especially sports injuries or accidents. Becoming a Doctor was always my first choice but I used my spare time to educate myself further in my love for the medical field. I have served a medic and paramedic at various events and for various teams including provincial teams. I try to always stay in shape and help younger athletes with training programs and rehabilitation after injuries.