Accountant-turned-proptech entrepreneur Andries Pretorius describes himself as someone who challenges the status quo and the traditional way of work on a daily basis. And it’s clear his approach has paid off: the University of Pretoria's (UP) business graduate has held the position of CEO of a real-estate agency, co-founded a web-based property company and currently heads up growth at Leadhome properties ­– this all at the age of only 30.

“Even when I was a student at UP, I would push the boundaries and ask tough questions,” he says. Pretorius graduated from UP with a BComm in Finance & Entrepreneurship (2012) and an honours degree in the same subject in 2013. He says the quality of education he received at the University was very much aligned with where the future is going, and readied his cohort for the world of work. “We were treated like professionals from first year, and with respect. Another thing about UP is that it draws a lot of talent – and where talent comes together there is magic.” 

Pretorius began weaving his entrepreneurial magic during his varsity days, after learning of a friend who had a candy floss machine at home. This was the basis for his first business, Willmorr Candy Co, which became one of South Africa’s leading suppliers of confectionary foods. Willmorr was later sold to a private investor just before his 22^nd birthday.

The next significant step for Pretorius was to enter the property market, co-founding property investment group webuyprop.com, which connects investors with below-market-value properties. “We are  the Uber for real estate investors,” he explains. “The initial premise was to buy properties ourselves, redevelop them and put them back on the market. But it was capital intensive and we had to raise a lot of debt to finance those deals. While it worked, it was highly geared and we had to think of another way to scale this model.” This is why it became a digital platform and has since given the company a competitive advantage over new rivals.

Before joining Leadhome properties, Pretorius served as the CEO of real-estate agency Keller Williams Select. I was generating  hundreds of sellers leads through webuyprop.com per month, and only 2% of our sellers would accept our offer. This left us with hundreds of sellers that we couldn’t service, which in our industry is worth a lot.  This led me to approach  many of the real estate agency’s CEOs in South Africa and I proposed that I sell these leads to them for a 25% commission on each property sold. That is how I got my foot into the real estate sales business”.

He believes that entrepreneurs are born with a particular kind of spirit. His entrepreneurial spirit was ignited by his father, who often spoke the language of business around the dinner table and encouraged him and his siblings to remain optimistic. “He would say, ‘Look for problems to solve, and do not moan, because you have the ability to change the world.’”

Pretorius also has an encouraging word for young entrepreneurs, whom, he says, do not need major funding to start a business. “There are many private companies that are keen on investing in businesses. But more than that, these investors are looking at investing in people who are serious about solving real problems. It is important to show initiative; that way, investors will come to you. Government should also assist budding entrepreneurs by running programmes, encouraging entrepreneurship and making it easier for young entrepreneurs to operate. If it can incentivise entrepreneurs, South Africa could see many people starting businesses.”

His final word of advice to budding change-makers is this: “Be on the lookout for the kind of businesses that are thriving abroad and that could work in South Africa too. And do not give up – the next call or meeting might be your big break, be it funding or collaboration.”