Full Name: Jaco Maree
Position: CEO and cofounder of WIRUlink
Main Activity of the Company: Internet and telephone services
Date and Place of Birth: October 25, 1982, Reitz, Free State
Education: Diplomas in management accounting and corporate finance
First Job: Entrepreneur selling sweets, chips and cold drinks at primary school, as there was no tuck shop at the school
Career History Prior to Current Position: I have been an entrepreneur since the age of ten
Size of First Pay Packet: Zero – I always reinvested in the next new opportunity
First Job with Present Group: Direct sales and accounting
Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 130 employees and growing
Management Style: Stay humble, be thankful, never give up, lead by example and never stop learning
Personal Best Achievement: Being a hero to my children
Professional Best Achievement: Growing a company in tough economic times
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother and father
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My wife – she motivates me to be a better person to those around me
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Warren Buffett
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Warren Buffett
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Offering fast, reliable and affordable broadband connectivity and WIRUlink’s future prospects
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not having started WIRUlink a few years earlier
Hope for the Future: That State-owned entities, including Eskom, and national and local government departments are able to service South Africa better
Favourite Reading: Business news and related articles
Favourite TV Programme: A good movie once in a while
Favourite Food/Drink: Any good food that is shared with great friends or family
Favourite Music: Any music that fits the moment
Favourite Sport: Doing – deep-sea fishing; watching – rugby or golf
Favourite Website: mybroadband.co.za and news24, to check the news; airbnb, to book the next breakaway; and yr.no, to check the weather during that breakaway
Hobbies: Watersport, fishing, being in the wild and spending time with loved ones
Car: A VW Amarok 4 × 4 V6 bakkie
Pets: Two dogs (beagles)
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogant people that ‘know it all’
Favourite Other South African Company: Any company that looks after its staff, clients and suppliers
Favourite Foreign Company: Google Inc
Married: Yes, for almost 11 years and still going strong
Children: A son aged six and a daughter aged four
Clubs: I do not belong to specific associations or have membership of any clubs, except the gym