Bertus has a passion for science and more particularly for optics and light. His career can be described as one focussing on these, from vacation work that he did at CSIR as undergraduate student, right through to his current work at CSIR. His current work involves measurement and calibration associated with fibre optic equipment and light. Owing to the fact that some of their laboratories are painted pitch black and because they switch off the room lights to do work, he usually tells people that He “measures light and he does so in the dark”. He considers light and fibre optics as particularly exciting because of its widespread and growing technological use and its key role in modern telecommunications and the internet.
Bertus was born in 1965 in Alberton and grew up on the Witwatersrand (in Gauteng) and Greytown (Natal). One of the things that he particularly liked about Greytown was its rural setting and surrounding plantations. He often went jogging in the plantations and together with friends went on excursions.
In school his favourite subjects were Science and Mathematics, though he generally also did well in his other subjects. He participated in athletics (sprinting & middle distances), rugby, cross-country running, chess and the cadet band (playing trumpet). In standard 4 he earned the nick-name “Wieletjies” because of his speed as sprinter and speed on the rugby field. He matriculated in 1983 at Hoërskool Florida (Roodepoort).
CSIR gave him a bursary, on which he studied BSc at RAU, majoring in Physics and Mathematics. He continued post-graduate studies eventually completing an MSc in Physics in 1991. He did National Service in 1990 and also started working full-time at CSIR during the latter part of 1990. Bertus’ philosophy about qualifications is that it forms only a preparatory part of one’s career and that the secret to a successful career lies in a passion for what you do & hard work & knowledge & skills that you subsequently add, including those offered by Toastmasters.
The love of his life is Annchen. They are Christians, getting from their creator, light for their passage through life. They met on a church youth camp during their student days and fell in love so much, that Bertus ate right out of Annchen’s hand, completely forgetting his previously well thought-through scientific approach to infatuation and love. Two years later in 1989 they got married. They have two children, Jacques (aged 10) and Riaan (aged 1½). One of Bertus’ ideals is to take Annchen for a visit to romantic Paris.
He enjoys spending time with Annchen and with his children. His other favourite pastimes are backpack hiking, being in nature, and training athletics with Jacques. He considers some adrenalin and exhaustion as fun, so he also enjoys white water rafting and has participated in a few bicycle races in recent years.
Bertus joined Vital Communicators in 1993 and has completed ATM-bronze. He has served as President, VP-Education (twice), and VP-Public Relations. His first term as VPE came within less than a year after joining Toastmasters, because no-one else wanted to take on the responsibility. He says his progress through the C&L program has been much slower than ideal. Yet, through Toastmasters he has definitely grown his public speaking skills, self-confidence, organising skills and even improved his English and writing skills. He says he is particularly thankful towards Vital Communicators and its members who have contributed to these. |
