PJ Olivier High School has been hosting an entrepreneurs day every Friday for the last couple of years. The day is an ‘open market’ where during breaktime learners can sell (and buy) almost anything under the sun.
PJ Olivier High School has been hosting an entrepreneurs day every Friday for the last couple of years. The day is an ‘open market’ where during breaktime learners can sell (and buy) almost anything under the sun.
Some of these aspiring entrepreneurs can’t wait till Friday afternoon to spend their earnings, while others are more spendthrift and bank the profits. One such success story is that of De Wet Cronje, a matric pupil at the school.
While he was Grade 4, he ‘inherited’ the business from his older brother, Christo, and has been sucessfully running a stall selling King Pies on entrepreneurs day.
The popular and tasty pies, along with some fresh doughnuts, are delivered to the school by King Pie every Friday. To round off the winning package, De Wet also sells ice-cold cooldrinks.
The business relationship between De Wet and Anton en Marcelle Strooberg of the Grahamstown King Pie branch is going from strength to strength.
De Wet believes that a business plan is essential and his customers also include the staff at the school. He has learned to predict at which times of the month he should order extra stock and he hardly ever has any stock left over by the time the bell rings.
Last year he saved enough money to buy himself a brand new Vuka 110cc motorbike and helmet. This was a smart move as one litre of petrol lasts him around 52km.
Meanwhile, he has built up a sturdy bank balance. He says: “Start small and work your way up, be honest and you will watch how your business flourishes.
Nothing is achieved without hard work. I must also thank Mr and Mrs Strooberg of King Pie for all the times they delivered pies to the school for free.
Their excellent service to the public and to myself and the smile they always give me is a valuable business lesson in itself.”
De Wet plans to start studying Acturial Science at the University of Stellenbosch next year. At present he is excelling acedemically and has received academic colours.
A highlight in his sporting career has been his selection to the Junior Proteas target shooting team who toured England in 2008 and his captaincy of the PJ first rugby team over the last two successive years. He is also headboy of the school.
