Jannie Fourie

Jannie Fourie (66) is the founder and owner of AGRISELL - one of South-Africa’s largest independent agricultural real estate agencies. 

Jannie has come a long way from his early years where he was deeply imbedded in the Karoo. He has been involved in the agricultural sector since 1970. He first started off as a farmer and then lead, directed, chaired and restructured the National RPO (Red Meat Producers Organisation) which is the largest agricultural producers organisation in South Africa. This was done during the transition from controlled markets to today’s free market system. Jannie chaired and served on the boards of several agricultural co-operations, visiting more than 20 countries before and after 1994 as the worlds agricultural markets opened up for the South-African producers to trade world-wide. During this time he soaked up many lessons and that aided AGRISELL on growing from strength to strength. 

With the business’ head office in Stellenbosch, his role is much more strategic and supportive than it was in his early agent days. His mandate to his son Jan-Hendrik (a B Accounting graduate), is to take a long-term view and to invest time and effort to grow the business with passion. 

Their goal is to grow their footprint throughout Southern Africa which they realise may take some time, but they do have the knowledge, infrastructure and a strong brand to achieve that. In years to come, they may want to expand into Africa, and even Australia, to enhance their growth. 

Jannie tries to personally visit all the agents scattered all over South Africa once a year. His relationship with agents is not as employees but as partners – and one needs to understand the difference between the two. Most of the agents invest their lives in AGRISELL, working from sunrise to sunset aiming at the same result - to market and sell properties to the best of their abilities and to enjoy the wealth created by doing so.  

It is very easy to be pessimistic about the future and just see the dark side of life. Jannie is an optimist and leads by example, showing his optimism to agents, his own children and his grandchildren.  

Jannie believes that if you take opportunities in life, if you are focussed and committed, work hard, you can make it in every sphere of life and you will find your deserved place in the sun. He strongly believes that a good person, who has passion and works hard, will always have a place in their business. He wants people to work with them and be part of them. 

Jannie is a father who has poured his life into his children and grandchildren. He is married to Lize, an artist, and together they have four children, and four grand children. He currently lives in Strand, loves people and loves traveling and the great outdoors.