Latest news with #Gerrie
Daily Maverick
03-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
After the Bell: Capitec's Gerrie Fourie and the power of family in producing extraordinary people
I read once that producing really standout people in business, people who are extraordinarily successful, might require more than just two parents and a village. It requires their parents' parents too. One of the absolute joys of my chosen profession is that I get to speak to people who have managed to either occupy or create a really important position for themselves. When I meet such a person, I often wonder what went into making them extraordinary. Usually the most important factor is the person themselves, whether they have the maths skills, or the EQ and, most importantly, the sheer ambition and drive to succeed where others have not. Even the ubernerd Bill Gates, blessed with a middle-class upbringing and in the right age and the right place at the right time, had a huge amount of drive. He was prepared to do things other people did not do. I was reminded of that when I spoke to Capitec's outgoing CEO, Gerrie Fourie, on The Money Show on Wednesday. While researching his background for our conversation, I noticed that his full name is Gerhardus Metselaar Fourie. I've always found that for many South Africans, their middle name will tell you more about them, and their family, than the name they normally use. It's where many of us, myself included, carry our family history. So I started our conversation by asking him about it. Out came the most interesting story, about how his grandfather, who was from the Netherlands, was actually 'Gerhardus Metselaar'. And that 'Metselaar' means 'builder' in Dutch. More than that, he had been to visit his family's company in the Netherlands. Gerrie being Gerrie, he had even gone through their books from the early 1900s and could tell you how they did during World War 1. I read once that producing really standout people in business, people who are extraordinarily successful, might require more than just two parents and a village. It requires their parents' parents too. It can be about the conversations and the life experiences that your grandparents had that can help you succeed. I think there is something to this; families that are able to pass down experience and wisdom, and perhaps skills in managing money or farms, or even a cricket bat, might be able to produce extraordinary people. Quite often I will be speaking to someone and be suddenly reminded of someone else in public life. When I ask if they are related, sometimes they say yes, sometimes no. In our society we have also seen the most extraordinary social mobility in the past 30 years. People who are the children of security guards and domestic workers and miners and maybe police officers have become important business leaders. Our previous and current presidents are the sons of a police officer and a domestic worker, respectively. While they have done it without the benefit of a comfortable middle-class upbringing, they have also often had to do it without the continuity of a long-term family. Jacob Zuma did not know his father, Cyril Ramaphosa has spoken of how his communities were broken up by forced removals during apartheid. As a parent, I feel it is a duty to pass on as much as I can to my two children. The fact that private schools can charge what they charge is proof that just about everyone else also believes this. Now, one of the biggest problems facing our country, and many others around the world, is that finding jobs for younger people is getting harder and harder. Even China, the big economy we are told is taking over the world, cannot find work for about 15% of its young people. I think what people are trying to do now is create jobs for their children. Often in their own family companies, or whatever service it is that they provide. Quite recently I've noticed billboards advertising estate agents that are clearly mother-and-daughter establishments. Fathers help their children take over their trade. And in a good example of why middle-class networks still really matter, some parents will be finding ways to get their kids internships in law or accountancy firms. Others will keep their children in higher education for as long as possible. When I finished school a simple degree was considered enough. Now people are studying for years and years, as their parents encourage them to become as qualified as humanly possible. One of the consequences of this is that having young adults as children has become much more expensive. You now need to educate them into their mid-twenties. You can't blame them; as a parent, you will do anything for your children. And, from what I can see, grandparents will do anything for their grandchildren too. They really want to see them succeed. How often have you seen older people getting together and discussing their children and grandchildren? I've sometimes come across an older person who knows my parents and discovered they know an awful lot about me.
Glasgow Times
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
New book reveals what matters to Glaswegians as city turns 850
As part of the year-long Glasgow 850 celebrations, people from around the world are sharing their favourite memories of the city. The Where did you GlasGOw? campaign is aimed at Glaswegians who have spread their wings and left the city, and so far, submissions have come from around the UK and as far afield as Australia, Spain, America and Luxembourg. (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest) Trips to Riverside, the city's transport museum, visits to the famous University Café on Byres Road, and watching their favourite football teams play all rank highly on people's fondest memories of Glasgow. Many also reveal they keep their connection with Glasgow alive by receiving 'home comforts' like tablet, shortbread and Irn Bru. (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest) The completed book, which will be housed in the City Chambers, will feature the names, stories and images of at least 850 Glaswegians who have made their mark worldwide. Anne Scott Campbell, founder of the non-profit organisation Girl Gone International, has submitted a heartfelt entry which shares the story of her parents, Gerrie and Susan Douglas-Scott. As the first gay couple in Scotland to legally marry, their union marked a powerful moment in the country's history and Anne, who now lives in Spain, is delighted they will be remembered in the book. She added that Girl Gone International, an online community which aims to connect women worldwide, was inspired by her Glasgow roots. Gerrie and Susan Douglas-Scott (Image: Newsquest) 'At its heart, it's about making sure no one feels alone, anywhere in the world,' she explained. 'That Glaswegian spirit, humour and kindness is always welcoming others.' Glaswegian icons Sir Billy Connolly, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Sir Alex Ferguson are also included, alongside Clyde, the beloved mascot of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. (Image: Newsquest) Many people have shared personal recollections of the city. Hyndland native Eilidh Edmiston, now living in Luxembourg, said: 'It's hard to describe the joy I feel as I near the gate for a connecting flight back to Glasgow and hear the familiar and unmistakable Glaswegian accents. "My kids have grown up in different, more reserved cultures in the Middle East and Europe, and I always found it amusing how surprised they were when we were home and witnessed how complete strangers interact.' To share your memories, stories and images with Where Did You GlasGOw? visit Entries will be available to view towards the end of the year.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
82-year-old woman reaching new heights in PA skies
FACTORYVILLE, WYOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local borough council president has reached new heights. Soaring through the Pennsylvania skies at 80 years old, faith and community are what keep this woman grounded. Meet this week's Remarkable Woman. 'They always said I was a daredevil anyway,' 82-year-old Gerrie Carey said. 82-year-old Gerrie Carey jumped, quite literally, at the opportunity to go skydiving with her granddaughter Lauren Berry. 'And she went first. I can't tell you how insane it was to see your grandmother float down from the sky like the true angel that she is,' Lauren said. Sporting a costume just days before Halloween 2024, the video captured Gerrie free-falling before her skydiving partner opened their parachute. 'I just felt like God was right on my shoulders. I had no fears, nothing,' Gerrie added. 'She's an enigma. I promise if you've met Gerrie Carey, you've never met a woman quite like her. She's one of a kind,' Lauren explained. 28/22 News sat down with the adventurous Lackawanna County woman to learn more about her leap of faith. Wilkes-Barre Woman dedicates life to early childhood education 'I was born and raised in Clarks Summit. So, this is definitely where my roots are,' Gerrie stated. Rows of accolades hang by the fireplace in the Carey household. Pictures with Pennsylvania governors, awards, and proclamations for her work over the years as a democratic woman, and numerous photos from her time on Clarks Summit Borough Council, a seat she's held for 27 years. 'I'm over at the borough quite a bit because there are checks to be signed and papers,' Gerrie continued. Gerrie Carey was the first Democrat elected to the Clarks Summit Borough and elected the first female President for the borough in 2008. Gerrie says she felt moved to run for council after her home was destroyed by a fire in 1997. 'The town all came to us. I want to be able to give back to the town now.' Over the years, Gerrie has been a staple in Clarks Summit, working to help keep the downtown thriving. 'We have a lot of events pulling people into Clarks Summit, our ice festival, and so on,' Gerrie stated. She proposed the borough's Hometown Hero banners to honor local veterans and maintains an open-door policy for all borough residents. Nominate a Remarkable Woman today! 'They know that they can call me day or night, and I would go to bat for whatever their needs are, and I've proved that to them,' Gerrie explained. In her free time, Gerrie wears multiple hats: a eucharistic minister, attends Rotary Club meetings, volunteers at the firehouse, is a member of the Society of Irish Women, named Honorary Grand Marshal of the Saint Patrick's Parade in 2007, the list goes on and on. 'She's always on the move; she never stops, she dedicates her whole entire life to other people,' Lauren said. Most recently, she's been named board president of the Clarks Summit State Hospital. 'That's an organization that we are working with the governor on to get more effective buildings there filled with maybe drug & alcohol or a women's resource center type thing,' Gerrie said. 'It's just fantastic to even walk around with her and realize the impact she's made on the community. I always feel like I'm walking around with a celebrity,' Lauren added. But topping Gerrie's priorities are faith and family; blessed with five grandchildren she loves to keep up with. 'They said to me, 'Sister, how did you like it up in heaven?' And I said, 'Saint Peter said you have 25 more years on Earth, so I'm back,'' Gerrie explained. Gerrie Carey is a Remarkable Woman. Each week, as part of Women's History Month, 28/22 News will highlight another Remarkable Woman in your community. 28/22 News will announce this year's winner on April 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
