Full Name: Wicus Pretorius
Position: Founder of Wictra Holdings and group CEO since 1998
Main Activity of the Company: The repair, refurbishment and building of railway rolling stock in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and East London.
Date and Place of Birth: September 13, 1949, Pretoria
Education: BSc (mechanical engineering), University of Pretoria; strategic management, University of Stellenbosch
First Job: Assistant engineer, South African Railways & Harbours (SAR&H)
Career History Prior to Current Position: Assistant mechanical engineer: electric traction, SAR&H; assistant regional manager: Port Elizabeth, and regional manager: Kimberley South African Transport Services; CEO PX, Transnet; cofounder of HRP Distribution Services; and founder and CEO of Rolling Stock Repair Services (East London)
Size of First Pay Packet: R325 a month
First Job with Present Group: Founder member of Wictra Consultants cc, which subsequently changed to Wictra Holdings
Value of Assets under Your Control: About R300-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 400
Management Style: Authoritative and caring
Personal Best Achievement: Establishing Rolling Stock Repair Services and Wictra Holdings by the grace of God
Professional Best Achievement: Jointly designing, developing and patenting the brake system for the Ermelo–Richards Bay heavy-haul coal trains
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Dr Anton Moolman, who was MD during my tenure at Transnet, and my wife, Petra, who encouraged me to start my own business
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Not stated
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Brand Pretorius (no relation), for his integrity and humane management
Philosophy of Life: Perseverance: “Don’t give up and don’t give in, until you have really tried” – Patience Strong
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Meeting Nelson Mandela on his eighty-fifth birthday
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not stated
Hope for the Future: The local manufacture of all railway rolling stock: locomotives, coaches and wagons
Reading: Biographies
Favourite TV Programme: Sports channels
Favourite Food/Drink: T-bone steak, whiskey and soda
Favourite Music: Varied, including Elvis Presley rock and light classical
Favourite Sport: Rugby
Favourite Website: www.buffalocreekgameranch.co.za
Hobbies: Game breeding (I am a director of Wildlife Ranching South Africa), bird watching and hunting
Car: Mercedes-Benz E63S AMG
Pets: I love dogs and cats
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Ignorance
Favourite Other South African Company: Naspers
Favourite Foreign Company: Porsche AG
Married: To Petra, since December 15, 1972
Children: Stefan, 44; Hannes, 40; Thinus, 38. I am privileged to have all three my sons involved in managing our businesses
Clubs: Virgin Active; South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association