Staying true to the champion’s creed

A man of influence; he sets the pace for those with the fighting spirit.

He’s graced the local stage, and has been on many a front page, but how well do you really know Johan Pieters?

With more heart than the Average Joe, the 39-year-old recently opened up about where it all began.

Hitting close to home

Aside from his duties as a mogul in the making, Johan is your typical family guy.

“My mom and dad have always supported me. I’m the youngest of three children. My brother is five years older than me, and my sister is six years older.”

In between meeting clients, travelling and living life to the fullest, Johan somehow manages to make time for his four-legged companions.

“I have a Labador, two Jack Russells and a mixed ‘grill’,” he said with a placid smile upon his face.

Oh, boy!

Questioned about his most embarrassing moment to date, Johan was beyond candid about an oh-so-unfortunate incident involving his Labrador, Wilson.

“Our offices were still in the house when Wilson was a puppy. A brand new client came in and sat down. In the meantime, Wilson had gone into my room and came running out with my underwear in his mouth. It was so embarrassing!”

His fondest childhood memory was the day he got his first bicycle.

“I fell into our rose bushes while riding my bike in the yard one day. I was covered in bruises; it was awesome!” he exclaimed.

Johan was Head Boy at Amajuba High School. However, in spite of the playful look on his face, he denied ever getting up to mischief.

“I matriculated in 1994. My parents didn’t have money to send me to go and study. At that stage, if you look at 1995, it was quite a hectic time in South Africa. If you weren’t a person of colour, there weren’t many opportunities,” he explained.

Starting off with a dream and a R10 000 loan to purchase a 386 computer, Johan Pieters Promotions was born, signifying the dawn of new era.

“I was the chaperone of 1995 and 1996 u/13 Craven Week teams. There were so many Johans on the team, so people started calling me Champ; that’s where it all began,” he reminisced.

Before long, Johan decided to change the name of the company to Champ Marketing and Events.

After partnering up with good friend and fellow rugby fanatic, Christo van der Vyver, all the pieces of the puzzle were finally falling into place.

In between building an empire, the born and bred Newcastillian became actively involved in the community in his early twenties.

Serving on various committees, and playing an active role as a member of several sporting unions, Johan soon proved he had the willpower to become a pioneer on all fronts.

“I also received a Charter from the Winter Festival committee, and the Newcastle Sakekamer,” he added, clearly humbled by the prestigious awards.

Reflecting on simpler times, where shorts and sandals seemed like appropriate work attire, Johan felt he’d grown a lot throughout the course of his career.

“Business isn’t always about money. It’s about what you can learn from others, and how you can change and become the person you’ve always wanted to be.”

In conclusion, Johan said he was inspired by those who have the self-discipline to become champions.

Despite facing harsh criticism over the years, Johan remains optimistic about his future in Newcastle.

Love him or hate him, Ollie is a man with a plan!