Our People
In 1997, Herman established Swist Group Technologies and focused primarily on the mobile telecommunications industry, developing software and providing system support to large Telco's.
The MXit concept was conceived in 2003 by Herman and MXit has evolved to become a major IM player in the South African arena. Herman's vision for MXit is to have a substantial impact on global telecommunications and to make MXit a true lifestyle product with ancillary offerings.
Herman is keen on mountain biking, windsurfing, enjoys off-road motorcycling and is passionate about photography.
Hennie Visser joined MXit Lifestyle as Chief Financial Officer during October 2007. After Hennie obtained his CA (SA) qualification in 1998, he spent 4 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Netherlands in their Transaction Services department. During this time he gained extensive knowledge of the corporate merger and acquisition markets in Europe advising clients on many international (cross-border) transactions. Upon Hennie’s return to South Africa, he took up a position at head office with MIH Holdings (Ltd) in Johannesburg before joining the exciting MXit team in October.
Hennie has a keen interest in sport and enjoys road running, cycling and plays golf.
Marnus has worked for large organisations such as Vodacom, Tiscali World Online and Soekor. His technical abilities span those of system programming, project management, network and system administration, and security management, as well as specialisation in e-commerce, system design, ICT integration, and product development.
As Technical Director and technology analyst with a strong business focus, Marnus uses his project management skills and flair for new opportunities to drive research and development initiatives for MXit Lifestyle. Marnus plays golf and cycles.
After studying abroad, Gillian joined Storm, then a mere international callback provider, now a leader in the voice and data industry. She started, and later managed, their Customer Services Department then moved into an Account Management role. Here her focus was on developing problem solving and relationship building skills. She volunteered as a product specialist and a brand champion to expand her knowledge, and after six and a half years, decided to move on to another pioneering company, MXit Lifestyle.
Gillian loves anything creative. She designs and makes beaded cutlery and enjoys decoupage, fabric painting, reading and watching movies.
Despite Juan du Toit’s position and responsibility, he still, somehow, finds the time to be an all-round cool guy. Before he came to MXit he was involved in a variety of different companies such as ForwardSlash, Primedia Group and Venfin, heading up the marketing departments of companies within these groups, and showing everybody what it’s all about.
Today he can be found frequenting the local boardroom, meeting or conversing with like-minded bods, and although he seems busy one hundred percent of the time it is merely a front. He enjoys activities (outside work) such as mountain-biking, squash, body-boarding and gaming.
Juan has a wife, a daughter and two cats, and is livin’ la vida loca.
