Gerhard Nortjé’s rise to prominence as an IT business leader has been deeply rooted in retail and relationship-building. Now in his third year as Managing Director at redPanda Software, South Africa’s leading retail software partner, Nortjé reflects on his unique journey.
Nortjé’s pathway into the tech world was paved by his retail experience—a shared passion at redPanda Software, which is dedicated to providing tailored solutions across various retail sectors. He began his career in retail, managing a branch and immersing himself in all aspects of the industry.
“Many of my friends when I was young were playing games and taking computers apart or writing programmes; I was never that guy. I grew up in retail. I am a retailer, born and bred. From the bottom up, I learnt operations and front and back office functions, including managing people and customers. Then, as fate would have it, one day I was instructed to get involved in a digital transformation project for a JSE-listed retailer and, as they say, the rest is history,” Nortjé shares, embodying his trademark humility.
This pivotal moment shifted his career from operations to software development, allowing him to leverage his retail operations background, business analyst training, and analytical mindset to create retail solutions.
Nortjé joined redPanda Software in 2017, drawn by a shared commitment to delivering high-quality work with honesty and integrity. He believes in collaboration as a key to overcoming challenges and unlocking potential. In just four years, he progressed from Business Development Manager to Senior Development Manager, Operations Director, and finally MD in October 2021.
“People are very important to me,” he emphasizes. “They are the lifeblood of any business. I connect with people. I have a little ritual that matters to me. Every morning before I even have my coffee I walk the ‘shop floor’, so to speak. I engage with everyone I see. You see, as retailers, we used to walk the shop floor and greet everybody every day. Keeping this alive is special.”
Nortjé is motivated by a collective purpose at redPanda Software. “Our vision is to build long-lasting relationships that drive sustainable growth within the retail industry. This can only be achieved if you are a genuine, trusted partner that brings valuable expertise.”
“If we say we want to positively impact our clients, then we must live the values that enable this. When we bring new people into the business, we are clear and deliberate in how we explain this to them. We take time to explain their role and what ‘positively impacting the businesses of our clients’ means.”
However, the journey has not always been easy. Nortjé notes that challenges reveal much about oneself and build resilience. “The lockdown was a while ago now, but it is still affecting people. It caused a loss of business and staff—remember the great resignation? This wasn’t an easy time,” he explains.
“But it reminded us that nothing, nothing can be taken for granted. You can become too comfortable, believing things will always just work out and that your staff and your customers will always remain loyal.” Nortjé stresses the importance of nurturing relationships and focusing on what can be controlled to foster resilience both personally and within a business.
Hiring the right talent is essential. “When it comes to talent management, I look at behaviours over skills,” he explains. “Don’t misunderstand this; obviously, skills are important. Every position has a set of skills that are non-negotiable, and we ensure these are in place. But what is it that sets people apart? What makes me want to bring you into the business or promote you? Hiring people who exhibit the right behaviours is invaluable.”
Investing in young talent is also crucial for the future of the business and the industry. “We support the redAcademy initiative designed to train work-ready young people, who learn theory while also receiving on-the-job, live, and relevant training. In addition, we’ve run our successful intern programme for over 10 years.” He believes that investing in young people is vital for everyone’s future.
When discussing industry trends, Nortjé notes that conversations frequently turn to artificial intelligence. “Of course, it has become important and one of our key focus areas. We are carefully defining how we leverage and adopt technology to benefit our business and our clients,” he states.
However, he cautions that while technology is enabling, redPanda Software remains committed to its retail roots. “We are retailers. We look after retailers. We work with retail software. We are not trying to become AI specialists for AI’s sake. Rather, we will always stay true to our value proposition and ask how, where, or if at all, any new technologies support the success of our partnerships.”
Having ascended from the ground up in retail, Nortjé offers clear guidance for young professionals. “Pay your dues. Start where you need to start. Be prepared to learn. Understand the basics. Don’t make demands when you are not ready. Pave the road towards your success first. Learn from everybody you deal with, even if you don’t like them. Even if they do things poorly… that is still learning. Become a sponge and take every opportunity to learn what to do and what not to do.”
Reflecting on the influences that shaped his life, Nortjé underscores the significance of mentorship. “Many people have played a role in shaping who I am today, offering guidance and support both professionally and personally.”