Ronny Levitan, head of Deel South Africa
Full Name: Ronny Levitan
Position and Company Name: Head of Deel South Africa
Main Activity of the Company: Deel works for independent contractors and full-time employees in more than 150 countries, offering the first, and so far only, all-in-one human resources platform for global teams. It makes it possible to scale, contract, manage and pay a global team
Date and Place of Birth: December 15, 1970, Johannesburg
Schools and Tertiary Education: Matric, Northview High School; BCom (Economics and Marketing), University of South Africa
First Job: I worked for a property development company based in Johannesburg
Size of First Pay Packet: I can’t remember the exact amount, but it was very small
Career Path to Date: My career started by taking an unconventional detour through Europe, armed with just paper maps (there were no cellphones in those days!) and a penchant for person-to-person navigation. This adventurous year laid the groundwork for a career that thrives on innovation and pushing boundaries. On my return to South Africa, I worked for a commercial and industrial property development company. A pivotal turn came in 1998, when I joined Internet Solutions, becoming a vital part of an exceptional team that pioneered corporate Internet in South Africa. I later ventured into mobile networks, before embarking on a collaborative venture with friends, revolutionising how people received emails on their mobile devices. In 2010, I founded two companies, one dedicated to mobile apps and the other utilising Web-conferencing platforms for live online learning experiences. Returning to Internet Solutions and Dimension Data, my journey took an unexpected turn three years ago, when I was headhunted to join Deel, a pioneering startup
Management Style: I thrive on being hands-on and actively involved with my team members, while also constantly seeking to anticipate and prepare for future challenges and opportunities
Personal Best Achievement: Together with my wife, it has to be our four children
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father, but I really try to learn from everybody that I encounter
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: I’ve had the fortune to collaborate with some truly remarkable individuals throughout my career, especially in the world of startups
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Bob Marley, Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela, Dwight D Eisenhower and Martin Luther King
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Tim Cook, Sheryl Sandberg, Jack Ma, Warren Buffet, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates
Philosophy of Life: Family first, network, be kind, work smart and give . . . just give
Biggest Ever Opportunity: I’ve been fortunate to seize numerous opportunities throughout my career, but I always find myself most captivated by the one I’m currently pursuing. Right now, my full focus is on the exciting possibilities at Deel
Biggest Ever Disappointment: The mobile app that I was working on with some close friends. Owing to my naivety, I lost control of the company and was sidelined
Hope for the Future: I firmly believe we can create a more peaceful and understanding world if we embrace empathy, compassion, and open-mindedness to bridge the divides that separate us
Favourite Reading: All my reading is done online – tech, business and startups
Favourite TV Programme: Anything on Netflix and rugby
Favourite Food/Drink: Steak and Coke
Favourite Music: Reggae and hard house
Favourite Sport: Rugby
Hobbies: I play games on my cellphone whenever I get a few moments, but my ‘hobby’ is going to the Vaal dam with my family
Car: I don’t own a car currently
Pets: A cat and a dog
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogance
Married: To Philipa, for 27 years
Children: Yakira, 22; Michal, 21; Daniel, 19; Zahara, 15
Clubs: None at present, but I’m considering this Padel thing