With over 50 years of experience in the insurance industry, Fanie Du Preez (79) from Gqeberha plans to launch his newly-published autobiography, titled Voetspore van Fanie Du Preez, where he shares stories about his childhood, his early days as an insurance broker and how he worked hard to achieve great success in his career.
Growing up in Algoa Park in the 1950’s with his three siblings and his father, Hannes, who was a single parent after Du Preez’s mother Liena passed away when he was just six years old, he quickly learnt how to be disciplined.
After matriculating at Otto du Plessis High School alongside the first group of matriculants at the school in 1962, he was selected to join the South African Army for nine months.
“The teachers at Otto du Plessis, and my trainers at the South African Army who ensured that I remained disciplined, influenced my life positively,” said Du Preez.
After completing his army training, he joined the South African Railways but unfortunately did not like the job and instead began working at CNA.
While working at CNA, Du Preez said that an intriguing man visited the shop to buy the most expensive pen in stock.
After having a lengthy conversation with the man, who introduced himself as Wally Melville from Sanlam, he invited Du Preez for dinner, where he encouraged him to join the Sanlam financial services group.
He said that since his income at Sanlam was set to be commission-based only, he was hesitant to join the company.
Thankfully, his father’s encouragement gave him the push he needed to take the leap forward to further his career.
Finally, in 1969, he joined Sanlam as one of 12 marketers in Gqeberha, Kariega and Humansdorp.
Du Preez said that at the time, the seven marketers at the Sanlam branch in Gqeberha all had to make use of one phone.
Du Preez. said,
Despite the various challenges he faced, he said that he learned from his colleagues and continued to work hard.
“The discipline I learnt from my father, as well as the people who have played a role in my life, helped me to remain focused on my work as a marketer,” said Du Preez.
Fortunately, his hard work paid off and he was honoured to receive the Sanlam’s Marketer of the Year award in South Africa 11 times.
Finally, after gaining the necessary experience in the insurance industry, in 2003 he left Sanlam to establish his own investment and wealth management company, The Meadow Group, with his sons Wynand and Anton.
Now, over 50 years later Du Preez, who is still actively working as an broker, is hoping to share a detailed account of his life experiences in his newly-published autobiography, Voetspore van Fanie Du Preez which translates to Footsteps of Fanie due Preez.
Through his autobiography he said that he is hoping to inspire others to take the leap of faith to accomplish their goals, regardless of how daunting they might be.
“Many people know about me, but don’t truly know me. If you read the book, you will learn more about me and you will learn to understand me,” said Du Preez.
The book, published by Cape Town-based publishing house, Lavender Moon Publishing, Printing, Marketing, will be available at Exclusive Books from September and at Du Preez’s office at 73 6th Avenue, Newton Park.
Ahead of the release of the book, Du Preez said that he will be hosting a book launch at the Southern Sun The Marine in Summerstrand on Wednesday, August 16 for his family, close friends and clients.
