22 July 2026

At the age of 22 in 1997, I worked on a project as real estate data collector in Oudtshoorn, employed by former C P De Leeuw Appraisers.

On a weekday morning while standing in the central business area, geared with my clipboard and measuring wheel, a tall slim grey-haired man approached me from a local barber shop he visited for a haircut. Although relatively old, he looked and appeared healthy with bright intelligent blue eyes. And a gentle kind smile.

He asked me what my name was. Where I’m from? And what I was doing with my measuring wheel and clipboard in this Karoo town. Raised to respect woman and elderly people, I patiently then explained to him about my job and what I was doing. He said he found it interesting and complimented me for being a kind young man sharing my story. And that he noticed I liked my job. Then became curious about what my current and future aspirations were.

Well, I was still a candidate valuer at the time studying. And I shared with him that my ambition was to make a success of myself someday. That it was more important to me about making a success rather than it was for financial gain. Although I wanted to be well-off obviously. However, it was more a personal goal. Where I grew up, you were labelled as a failure before you could even proof it to be the opposite.

I grew up in an area and house I refer to as a white man RDP. It was literally an area with government-subsidized low-cost housing prior to the early 90s. Klopperpark situated between Isando, Elandsfontein, and Edenvale on the East Rand of Germiston, was a working-to-middle-class suburb, reflected the broader socio-political shifts in South Africa following the abolition of the Group Areas Act. Sharing where you from, automatically flagged you as low-class by privilege whites in upper-classed areas.

My father was a diesel mechanic and my mother typically in those days a housewife. She was not always a housewife, but a qualified nurse. And late 80s, she worked for a company called Malcomess in Isando involved with agricultural operations. Both parents gave me a solid foundation, and I guess raised me well, even though it was not always under pleasant circumstances. That is another chapter for another day should I decide someday to write about it.

Anyway, back to the grey-haired man in 1997. He shared with me a bit about his own life. Fortunately for him, he could go to university, and he studied to be a medical doctor. However, in his practical year, he realised a medical career was not his destiny. His interest in real estate drawn him towards studying and obtaining an architectural degree. Which eventually after two years working, once again realised it is not his passion. Which was why he becoming curious noticing me through the barbershop window with my measuring wheel and clipboard, gathering data about the buildings in the area.

After his short architectural career, he somehow ended up buying an orange farm in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. And then became a successful and wealthy citrus farmer, exporting quality oranges.

A rule I have set for myself a very long time ago was never allow money to become my boss, even though I wanted to be successful. Which I have shared with the grey-haired man.

And his words of advice which I have never forgot were, “Young man, I am very-very rich and became extremely successful with my orange farming exporting business. My wealth is accumulating daily. And although I am retired and will never be able to finish my wealth in my lifetime. However, I still enjoy being part of the farm which my children now manage. I travel with my wife and farm with my children. The one thing I can tell you is if you work hard, and enjoy what you do, money will follow by itself. And yes, don’t allow money to absorb you. But enjoy it. You worked for it and therefore deserved it. There is nothing wrong with being wealthy and enjoying it. The most important is to remain true in your ambition, honest, and enjoy what you do, and you will become successful”.

In my career, I met many wise angels on my journey to date. And from these learnings, I always manage to apply some of this advise in my career. I might not have become financially extremely wealthy as I thought I would. Because we are not in control of the everyday life and circumstances. But I have succeeded in my goals and aspirations.

When I had turned fifty years old in 2025 after personally struggled with personal questioning towards lives choices, I just realised how valuable time and youth is. And I made peace with the fact that I had succeeded in my career, which is not over yet, however, might never accumulate the expected wealth I had anticipated to make by simply working hard and enjoy what I do. Life is not that simple and only time bring wisdom.

And to my dear wise old grey-haired orange farmer friend, who most certainly is not part of this world no more, I could share some wisdom too. South Africa is not what it used to be 29 years ago.

To be successful today has become far more sinister and difficult, than just working hard and enjoy your profession.

End