Full Name: Nicolaas Johannes van der Watt Jonker

Position and Company Name: CEO of Jonker Kontrakteurs

Main Activity of the Company: Jonker Kontrakteurs is a multidisciplinary civil construction and mining-services company specialising in underground safety innovation, patented engineering technologies, and turnkey operational support for major mining houses across South Africa, with a global prospect

Date and Place of Birth: June 1, 1990, Standerton, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Education: I matriculated in 2008 and enrolled at North-West University (Potchefstroom) for an LLB. After two years, I transitioned to geology and chemistry for one year, before deciding to join the family construction business full-time – a decision that ultimately shaped my career in mining and innovation

First Job: Driver and foreman in the family business, Jonker Kontrakteurs, working primarily on government construction projects

Size of First Pay Packet: R4 500 a month

Career Path to Date: I worked in the family business until 2015, when I started my own venture, NJ Solar. After several years in the renewable-energy space, I received a subcontract from Sahara Sand on a project within Sasol, where I first recognised the scale of opportunity in the mining industry. In 2021, following the passing of my late mother, Susan Jonker, I took full control of Jonker Kontrakteurs. Today, my team and I are committed to building the company into a global mining powerhouse, driven by innovation, operational excellence, and our patented safety technologies

Value of Assets under Your Control: A growing portfolio of intellectual property, operational equipment, construction assets, and mining services contracts valued in the multimillion-rand range

Number of People under Your Leadership: Between 40 and 120 employees and contractors, depending on operational requirements

Management Style: Decisive, hands-on, solutions-oriented, and driven by fast, accountable execution

Personal Best Achievement: Developing and patenting safety technologies – including the Borehole Plug, an autonomous underground area warning light, and Dust Halo – which have the potential to significantly advance underground safety across the industry globally

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife — for her unwavering support, commitment, and faith in me, even during seasons when the future felt uncertain

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: I have been strongly motivated by business leaders operating in global industries, whose journeys demonstrate that success is not defined by geography. Their ability to build world-class enterprises from diverse origins reinforced my belief that, with the right tools, mindset and execution, it is possible to create globally competitive businesses from anywhere

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Warren Buffett – his long-term discipline, value-driven investment philosophy, and ability to remain calm, rational, and principled through decades of market cycles represent qualities I strongly admire and aim to emulate in business leadership

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Larry Fink, of BlackRock, for his strategic clarity and global perspective on sustainable investment

Philosophy of Life: Build with integrity, innovate with purpose, and let adversity sharpen rather than discourage you

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Commercialising our patented mining-safety devices and positioning a South African-built innovation for global adoption

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not being able to say goodbye to my mother before she passed away in 2021 – an experience that strengthened my resolve to build something meaningful in her honour

Hope for the Future: To grow Jonker Kontrakteurs into a world-recognised mining innovation company, uplift communities through sustainable projects, and play a meaningful role in modernising the mining industry

Favourite Reading: Business strategy, leadership insights, the workings of money, and biographies of influential thinkers.

Favourite TV Programme: Engineering, discovery, and real-life innovation documentaries

Favourite Food/Drink: A well-aged steak, paired with a matured whiskey

Favourite Music: A wide range – from Afrikaans classics to modern country tracks.

Favourite Sport: Golf and motorsport

Hobbies: Travel, hunting, automotive restoration, innovation development

Car: Ford Ranger Raptor and Land Rover Defender

Pets: Three cats

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Poor workmanship, a lack of accountability and dishonesty

Married: To Jeannie Jonker

Children: Not yet

Clubs: The School of Hard Knocks