Page 31 - KZN Top Business LEADERS-eBook

FRIKKIE BROOKS

F rikkie Brooks is the owner and manging director He has worked under three different political parties He prides himself on ensuring that he treats everybody

of Brooks Facilitation Services.
like they would want to be treated. He also believes
and served under 26 political principals including nine
that over time, he has earned the right to work with
premiers in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. He explains
Frikkie grew up on a farm near Newcastle,
KwaZulu-Natal. He went to school in Newcastle that his career was possible because as a technocrat people he likes and trusts, and only on the projects
nobody saw him as a threat. where he believes he can make a difference.
up to grade 10, and as his family relocated, completed
his schooling in Pretoria, “I always joke and say I had “I’m a geographer, and I present the facts as I see them. “I think what’s also been helpful is that one has to think
to go there to meet my wife. I have been married to I’d say unashamedly that I’ve never carried a political across cultural lines and beliefs and to recognise and
Anita for 44 years and met her on the very first day card in my life. Regardless of what my political views embrace the strengths that diversity brings in any of
that I got to my new school.” might be, they remain in my back pocket.” the processes that we encounter.”

Commencing in 1979, Frikkie’s first job was Lately, Frikkie has come to realise that he has been “I’m a firm believer that if it was easy, somebody else
as a geography teacher and he taught for ten able to manage the transition from government to the would have done it by now. Don’t shy away from the
years. Although he thoroughly enjoyed teaching private sector quite seamlessly. He commented,” It has difficult things in life because that’s where you are able
geography, his further studies, in development been a wonderful experience to be able to do that and to make a difference. If you’re going to do the things
planning, took him into various other fields. I actually feel very privileged and honoured.” that everybody else has already done, then there’s
absolutely no challenge for you.”
After leaving teaching in 1989, Frikkie joined the then The best advice Frikkie has received is to be driven
Department of Constitutional Development and by your values and principles and not by emotions. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE
Planning, and has since been involved in development “I think that advice has guided me on a journey
and the facilitation of various catalytic projects. where I’ve been able to navigate quite difficult times Frikkie believes in the power of positive thinking and
in my life.” understanding what works for him. He also draws
Following a long career in government, Brooks
his inspiration from the Springboks. “How special
Facilitation Services was established when Frikkie For Frikkie, his greatest accomplishment has been is the message that the Boks bring to all of us. That
retired. “When you’re 65, your sell by date arrives an unblemished integrity record. “The biggest strength is found in diversity. The fact that nothing is
and you move on to greener pastures,” he explained.
compliment I’ve ever got is that I was never impossible. The guys can dig deep enough to be able
approached for any underhanded dealings of any to get it done. That really inspires me and makes me
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
sort. I think whoever would have approached me believe that if they can do that for our country, then I
Frikkie said that he has realised that being a geographer would have known upfront what the response would need to play a role in the environment that I am in to
is about bringing concepts and people together. He have been.” create that same ‘Bok’ spirit amongst the teams that I
says his ‘why’ is building constructive relationships work with because if we do that, we are unstoppable.”
and facilitating engagement between people as well ADRENALINE JUNKIE
as enabling processes. In the future businesses in KwaZulu-Natal need to
The biggest challenge Frikkie has experienced is that
look for the opportunities and specifically to find
Having been involved in various capacities in of the rapid change in the environment over his career. partnerships and focus on the areas where government
government for a period of 40 years, Frikkie was “Initially change generated anxiety and uncertainty. is not able to perform for whatever reason says Frikkie.
fortunate to have built an extensive network. “For me However, with the amount of change that I’ve had to
it was logical that I should try to keep the network manage in my life, I’ve now become a little bit of an His major drive is to get the infrastructure of this
intact for as long as possible. In the last five years I’ve adrenaline junkie. I love a change. I love the energy province working again. He believes that correctly
been able to establish wonderful new relationships as that change brings about. It releases new thinking; operating ports, airlines, roads, and rail would provide
well as bring some of the old networks together and it forces you to renew your own perspectives. I’ve the catalyst for the province to thrive.
merge them from a new perspective to collaborate learned to embrace and to manage change.” Frikkie’s motto is ‘If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing
and produce wonderful things.”
Frikkie believes one of his strengths is that he can work properly’. “Don’t do things half-baked because you’re
Frikkie started working in government pre-1994 and with people with whom has established relationships going to have to do them over again. You’re going to
he successfully navigated the transition post-1994. because these are always built on respect and integrity. embarrass yourself in the process.”
29