Page 21 - CEN 13 Apr.indd

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CEN: “Onto a different tac entirely. What is your pet
hate?”
OD: Ockert chuckles, “Being untruthful has to rate as
something that is intolerable to me. I’m talking about
being untruthful to yourself, to your business, to your
family.”
CEN: “How do you determine that; do you feel that you
have strong intuition or is it based on something more
tangible?“
OD: “No, I would say that it’s more in line with making
excuses for behaviour or outcomes. When people blame
outcomes on circumstances, saying ‘I couldn’t do this,
because of that’, such as being late for a meeting because
of traffic etc. If that was the issue, and you’re aware that
traffic is a problem, get up earlier, is my answer!
“Basically, making excuses and not taking responsibility
for your own actions.“
CEN: “Over the many years you have been in the industry,
what is your greatest career achievement? People always
state that their present job is their greatest achievement,
would you agree with this, or do you have a goal further
along?“
OD: “I would disagree as this is not where I see myself
in five to ten years time, although currently this is my
dream job, this is where I aspire to be at this point.
Further down the line I would, however, like to contribute
more to Redpath internationally, not just locally.” He adds
jocularly; “There are great opportunities ahead, and
besides, I’m too young to stagnate!”
CEN:“Ockert,whatisyourgreatestpersonalachievement?”
OD: “Without sounding clichéd, I think my greatest
personal achievement is to balance my business and
personal life, which I am proud to say, I have achieved. I
have a great family, with two kids and a lovely wife and
to be there for them is vitally important for a secure and
sound family life.”
CEN: “So, talking about balance, what is your greatest
regret?”
OD: “What is regret? I ask myself. Over the years I have
come to realise that it’s disappointment and letdowns, not
so much regret, per se. I look back sometimes at past
contracts that didn’t work out and think ‘What if I had
handled it a different way, would it have been a success;
maybe my life would have taken a different path?’ While
the outcome of my life today is a success, as far as I am
concerned, there were letdowns along the way; projects
that I felt could have been done better, with a better
outcome. That said,” he adds, “as I say to my staff, don’t
live your life through a rear-view mirror…”
CEN: “From looking back to looking forward: If you were
President of the country, what would you change?”
OD: “I detest the apathy of government and how it
doesn’t address the huge issue of crime. While
there are sectors of the country that have the
resources to protect themselves from the crime
scourge, there are many who don’t, and that
is the greatest concern, especially amongst
the lower income groups. What disgusts me,”
he stresses, “is how the leadership can be
quoted as saying, in an international forum,
that there is no crime problem in South
Africa! So, in a nutshell I’d address the crime problem,
head-on, as well as the education system, as a lack of
education goes hand-in-hand with crime.”
CEN: “In the business world, who do you see as a role
model and why?”
OD: “Brand Pretorius, author of ‘Aan die stuur’. He’s a
fantastic human, quite a character. He’s a brilliant leader,
(past head of the McCarthy Group and Toyota South
Africa) and the lessons I have learned from him are
invaluable and through what I have read, he has inspired
me.”
CEN: “Being such a driven individual, do you ever see
yourself retiring and if so, where?”
OD: “Absolutely, but not too early!” Ockert laughs heartily.
“Have you ever been to Sardinia? Well that is where I want
to retire, to some little fishing village along the Sardinian
coast, living the quiet, uncomplicated, simple life, in a
small little house, with a small little fishing boat to go out
into that amazing blue sea - that’s my idea of retirement.”
CEN: “Who, from the past, would you most like to meet?”
OD: “While I know he’s still around, he influenced our past
so significantly, that I must say Mandela. I really respect
him and how he prevented civil war in this country.”
CEN: “What is your favourite saying Ockert?
OD: “I suppose, because I don’t like long stories and
beating about the bush, it would be ‘Get to the point!’,”
he laughs.
CEN: “What are your views on Social networking?”
OD: “I don’t engage in it as I don’t have time to, and
I believe in face-to-face communication or phoning
someone, as I feel email, etc is impersonal. However, I
sometimes think that there must be some value in it from
a business perspective and possibly I should explore it
further?” he ponders.
MD, Ockert Douglas ,
Managing Director,
Redpath Mining (South
Africa) (Pty) Ltd, is a
straight talker, and
family-orientated man.