What time do you usually wake up on weekdays?
06h00 

How do you spend the first hour of your day?
Get the news on TV, feed the dogs 

What sparked your interest in finance?
I passed my first year Accountancy in 1971 as an extra subject for my BSc. In 1974, I was appointed in the statistics department at Stellenbosch to teach a module in Finance for BCom students and a basic statistics fourth year module for engineers. As an investor I was interested in using this knowledge to improve my investment performance. I was appointed at Unisa School for Business Leadership to teach MBL Financial Management in 2008, after that I did my CFO(SA) as it was related. As an investor, since 1969, I had to work through audited financial statements. 

Can you share some career highlights and defining moments?
My first real investment success was in 1977 with Kiley Baker, bought shares at 21c and sold for R2.85. In 2000, the major shareholder at a listed mine asked me, as an investor, to explain from the annual report, how the CEO was siphoning off the assets. The CEO and all executives were fired. I got my PhD in Artificial Intelligence (computer science) in 2004. The first doctoral candidate that I successfully supervised to conclusion in 2009. I was headhunted by Global Humanistic University (Under the Dutch / European Union qualifications authority) to teach 13 disciplines. I supervised more than 200 M research students and 18 doctoral candidates to completion, some in banking and in accounting. 

How do you handle professional challenges?
I tackle them head on. I rely heavily on common sense. I am also not intimidated by anyone. 

What future goals are you excited about?
I have a doctoral candidate in the US (Research on: Statistics for clinical trials) that should be completed in 2025. I am CEO of a closed-ended investment company with a see-through net asset value of R56 million and the company is doing very well. The earnings in the interim statement for the year 2025 exceed the earnings for the full year 2024. I started some studies as background to register for an M degree in botany. I will be co-patentee with one of my ex doctoral candidates for an international patent on a new banking system. He is a senior banker in Addis Abeba. 

Have you had any international or different cultural experiences in your career? 

While at the Unisa SBL, I used my vacation leave to take TUT MBA students to China and to India to show them how to set up a partnership with Chinese (Chan’an university and Ting’ji university) and Indian (IIT Delphi university) MBA students. I am a non-executive director at Alizarin Capital (UK) and FD at Purediamonds Ltd (Mauritius). I attended many international conferences as academic (Indonesia, UK, Portugal, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe). I supervised M and D candidates from many countries. 

What key skills should a newly qualified accountant develop on their path to becoming a CFO?
Understanding basic financial accounting. Understanding that international companies handle their subsidiaries as a portfolio of investments. Corporate governance – knowing the post description of CEO, CFO, Chair, independent non-executive directors and company secretary, so that this person does not interfere in the responsibilities of other board members. Knowing that the board is not a debating platform. 

How do you balance your personal and professional life?
Ensure that your work (professional life) is up to date. If all your work is completed, then you have time and peace of mind for your personal (social) life. Do not procrastinate, do the work. Get enough sleep. 

What are your interests outside of work?
I am a subsistence farmer. I have about 80 different varieties of fruit trees in my garden like: carambola, muricata, cherimoya, jaboticaba, and white sapote. I do not have to buy any food; my electricity is off grid, so I do not get an electricity bill. I am a fellow of IoDSA (institute of Directors), member of SASA (Statistical society), ORSSA (Operations research society), AIASA (Artificial Intelligence), IITPSA (IT professionals). I am also a judge at the Escom Expo and the International science fair (Science competition for young scientists (8 to 29 years of age). At ISF, I was judge since 2000 where I held positions as Judge, and convenor, as international judge, as chief judge as mentor for projects identified to represent SA internationally. 

How do you contribute to the development of others in your field?
Academically I supervise M and D candidates; I mentor a number of mentees, with the idea that some of them will be able to take over my company as board members when I can no longer do it myself. One of these mentees is now in grade 7, two have doctorates, one is a qualified, practicing, and registered auditor with an MBA. I regularly give public lectures for VELS university in India. I am an external examiner for doctoral candidates. 

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be a CFO?
First get a solid academic foundation. Make sure that you understand the business of the company where you want to be CFO. Remember that you have to be an all-rounder, it is much more than financial accounting. Think how you will identify somebody that is not honest. 

What’s your favorite quote or mantra?
Enjoy life. Work is enjoyable. 

Share your favorite leadership lesson.
Talk to people. Do not consider yourself more important than your subordinates. Treat everybody with respect. 

What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your business bio?
I completed my internship as psychologist in 1974. I am a qualified high school teacher. 

What’s your favorite non-business app on your phone?
Nothing. Everything that I have I use both for business and private use. 

If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
The power to make Unisa respect the constitution to remove age discrimination. Unisa fired me when I refused to retire, and this case is now pending in labor court. 

What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
Work hard and when you get tired take a short break. 

If you could relive one day from your professional career, which day would it be and why?
Every day is enjoyable.