She never complained when I had to work long hours , building my career when I was younger . She has always been my greatest supporter .
When I think purely of my career there were highlights such as completing matric , graduating for the first time and graduating with my PhD .
More recently , being asked to head up the Wits Business School , and then to turn it around , was a particular highlight . Turning around the School of Economics and Business Science , and successfully splitting it into two schools – albeit a major challenge – also stands out for me .
A lowlight was when I was side-lined from a position while still being employed at the South African Reserve Bank ( SARB ). That stung a lot . No , I did not resign after that , but continued to work hard , eventually reaching the position of Deputy General Manager responsible for currency management at the SARB .
What advice can you give young graduate professionals who are now starting their careers ?
Put your head down and work . If your boss asks you to do something extra , something not “ part ” of your job , do it . Do it without any expectation of an immediate reward . Do it with the expectation that you will reap the benefits thereof in the long term .
Many years ago , a colleague and I started at the same junior level at the SARB . A while later I was promoted , yet he stayed on the same job level . He asked me what I did to be promoted . I told him that I wrote a policy paper that I felt the SARB could put to good use – without being tasked to do so . I did this in the evenings at home or over weekends .
Another point of advice : do not fight with everybody around you . It is so unpleasant when one has a colleague that is always fighting with everybody .
What is the best advice you were ever given ?
I grew up with my grandparents and each of them taught me a valuable life lesson .
My grandmother taught me that there is no time like the present . If there is something that you need to do , do it now , do not wait .
My grandfather taught me that a cup of tea goes a long way . With this , he meant that one needs to use the same amount of energy to thank someone as what it took to ask that same person for help .
When it comes to finances , the best advice I ever received was not to incur debt for too long in life . It is a choice to incur debt , and one needs to consider the decision to do so very carefully .
You have been a member of PPS for 40 years . Why PPS and what does it mean for you now , you are nearing retirement , to have been a member for so long ?
Yes , I became a member of PPS in 1981 . I have a couple of PPS products that cater to my needs . These are also in addition to , for example , retirement benefits I had via my employers .
Benefits such as my illness benefit , gave me great comfort throughout my career , knowing that if I got sick , I did not have to worry about finances .
The extra savings [ PPS Profit- Share ] is , of course , a very attractive benefit .
I always said that the moment I turned 65 I was going to cash that money and buy myself a new car *. As much as I am not retired yet , I did buy a new car earlier this year . However , I did not use my Profit-Share . That is still invested with PPS .
For now , I plan to continue with my PPS premiums and allow that nest egg to grow .
* Prof Rossouw has a love for old cars and is the proud owner of a Merc280 SL and two MGBs .
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