Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Software
Interests
Timeline
Generic
Gerrit Van Gaalen

Gerrit Van Gaalen

Student
Durbanville

Summary

I have my father and mother, I have one Siter and one Brother. From little I have something in me to solve real problems. Throughout high school I had numerous "side hustles" as one call it and also 2 businesses. For example, in grade 8 I asked my parents for Capitec shares for my birthday, which I later learned isn't quite what every 14 year old wants.

I decided to study BAcc at stellenbosch and are privaledge to be in Dagbreek Mens Residence while I complete my studies here at Stellenbosch University.

I really love to be around people and I'm good in communicating with people since I'm quick to read someone and I find that a valuable characteristic of mine. When a deal is to be made, my friends always says that I must negotiate with the other party and I really enjoy doing deals and like I said, to communicate with people.

Every moment in university I have grabbed with two arms, whether it's business or whether it's to build intentional relationships with friends because I believe that everything that I have is a gift and I want to stuart what I have received from God according to God's will.

Work History

Gardening Consultant

Gerrit van Gaalen
09.2025 - 10.2025

During weekends and holidays last year I had my own gardening business where office parks contact me to do some maintenance and tree pruning for them. This created jobs for people that I still have contact with. I did not go on with this Job since I still prioritised my studies.

Waiter at weddings

ASAP Staffing
09.2024 - 01.2025
  • Managed high volume of customers during peak hours, maintaining prompt and efficient service.
  • Ensured food safety compliance by adhering to proper handling procedures when serving dishes.
  • Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing attentive service and anticipating guest needs.

Audit vacation work

C2M Auditors
06.2024 - 07.2024

Here is some skills that I have learn and realised while working here:

  • How to be responsible for a task that was assigned to me.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
  • Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
  • Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service like the one big thing is that I have created an excel sheet while we were out on an audit that can recalculate balances to check accuracy.
  • Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.

Business Partner

Mzanzi Fisheries
10.2020 - 11.2022

Me and my one friend started Mzansi Fisheries, where we bread with tilapia fresh water fish with the aim to provide high protein meat for an affordable price. During the first year and a half we were approached by Shoprite to provide them their monthly Tilapia supply but we could not meet that demand since we were still small and growing. I exited the company in the middle of 2023 for various reasons that was not favorable.

Education

BAccounting - Accounting

Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch, South Africa
01.2024 - 12.2026

Skills

Strong multitasking

Professional appearance

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Integrity and honesty

Time management

Issue resolution

Intentional Relationships

Accomplishments

I have completed the Ironman 70.3 in June 2026 and this really is a testimony since I did this while studying for my exams in semester 1 and I went with a goal time and with grace I managed to reach that goal on the day!

I have learned how to use AI to help me code. In the 2026 Jun/July holiday I coded a web app called FuelShare, an app that automatically split the fuel costs for students that are driving together and it send a whatsapp to the respective students with the amount that they owe and also the driver's bank details to make it easy for the driver to receive the fuel money.

Again with AI, I have went further with the FuelShare idea, but I have realised that the business model of Fuelshare won't generate income so then I have created an App that is still in progress with a business model that will generate income and this business model is unique compared to the market. (For my Web App's I will be able to provide further details if nesassary)

Software

Coding With Claude (Vibe Coding)

Interests

Doing/Creating Business

Investing

Cycling

Timeline

Gardening Consultant

Gerrit van Gaalen
09.2025 - 10.2025

Waiter at weddings

ASAP Staffing
09.2024 - 01.2025

Audit vacation work

C2M Auditors
06.2024 - 07.2024

BAccounting - Accounting

Stellenbosch University
01.2024 - 12.2026

Business Partner

Mzanzi Fisheries
10.2020 - 11.2022
Gerrit Van GaalenStudent