AGN; You have always been academically minded, why did you initially decide to become a psychologist?

OVN; Coming from a small town, one does not always have exposure to lesser-known occupations, such as Quantity Surveying. Psychology was a logical choice for me, as it allowed me to combine my passion for music with an academic qualification and, ultimately, a career. Life took its course, and my music career took a back seat to academics as I began excelling at university.

AGN; What was the catalyst for your career change and why quantity surveying in particular?

OVN; After completing my studies and practicals in Psychology, life took its course, and a few things fell into place for me. I was 22 at the time when an opportunity arose to further my studies. Job opportunities for someone my age were scarce, so I decided to pursue Quantity Surveying. It was then that I realized I wasn’t half bad at mathematics and enjoyed the change of scenery.

When I started my practical work experience in Quantity Surveying, I knew this was what I was meant to do. I always say I’m one of the lucky few who had the chance to make a complete 180-degree career shift at an early stage. I’m not half bad as a QS, and just yesterday, I was informed that we — AGORA Consulting — have been awarded our fifth consecutive PMR award for excellence. This is something I started, and looking at where we are today, I couldn’t be prouder.

AGN; Is there anything about working as a psychologist that you miss?

OVN; Honestly, no, there isn’t anything I miss.

AGN; For those who are unaware, what does a Quantity Surveyor do?

OVN; I often explain that a Quantity Surveyor is essentially the accountant of the built environment. It’s a highly specialized field focused on quantifying every aspect of a construction project and translating these details into monetary value — that is, a budget.

That’s just the straightforward part. Before setting the budget, we are deeply involved in assessing the financial feasibility of each project, ensuring that any investment is sound. During construction, we manage the client’s budget and work to mitigate financial risks.

AGN; In comparison to when you started out well over a decade ago as a Quantity Surveyor, is there a key technological advancement that has helped to lighten the load in terms of processes/workflow?

OVN; Absolutely. When I started 18 years ago, we worked on desktop computers with A0 printed drawings, using various scale rulers to take measurements manually. The introduction of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has significantly transformed the field for Quantity Surveyors. With laptops and advanced software like DimX and WinQS, we can now extract data directly from 3D models in record time. This shift allows us to focus more on financial management rather than manually quantifying building elements from drawings.

AGN; Less than ten years into your current profession you decided to enter into a partnership; what motivated you to do so?

OVN; I have always wanted to be my own boss and take control of my own future. My brother, who is also a Quantity Surveyor, shared this vision, and together we decided to join forces — “hunting in a pack,” so to speak — to improve our chances of success.

We quickly realized that to be competitive in South Africa, it wasn’t enough to simply excel at our work; we also needed to comply with the government’s BBBEE policy. This led us to seek out a partnership with a skilled and competent individual, and that’s how we found our business partner.

AGN; Things are very rosy for AGORA Consulting now but of course setting up and growing a business is no walk in the park. Is there a particular low point that you can highlight where the business had to navigate adroitly in order to survive?

OVN; Well, there were certainly tough financial times, especially in the early days of the company. We had to convince clients to trust us with their finances and investment capital, assuring them that we could successfully navigate the construction process to help them turn a profit.

We left no stone unturned in our efforts, which led me to position myself strategically as an expert witness in arbitration cases where projects had gone completely wrong. Beyond the financial challenges, we also had to ensure compliance with South Africa’s BBBEE policies, but instead of viewing these constraints as limitations, we embraced a broader perspective. We took a bold leap and started exploring opportunities beyond South Africa’s borders, leading to the establishment of offices in Montenegro, Harare, and Mauritius. We also formed strategic partnerships in other countries to unlock further opportunities.

Looking back I think the key moment was realizing that success requires taking big risks and maintaining a positive mindset at every step. We approach each opportunity as if we have already succeeded rather than fearing failure.

As for a particular low point, my mindset has always been to allow myself only a brief moment of discouragement before shifting immediately into planning mode. The way I see it, your money may run out, but your ideas and strategies must never run out.

AGN; Companies have a ‘unique selling point (USP)’ but in some ways so do people. If you were to condense all of your qualities into a word or phrase, what would it be and why?

OVN; “Establish a connection with someone, and the rest will follow.” This applies to both business and my personal life. Building strong relationships is the foundation of success.

AGN; You can be described as a White African and of course there are those that are described as Black or Brown Africans etc. What do you feel is a general misconception people have about White Africans?

OVN; In my view, the biggest misconception is that things come easily for White South Africans. The reality is that success requires just as much hard work and dedication as it does for anyone else. It all comes down to having the right mindset and approach.

AGN; How would you describe your upbringing and what key insight can you share about that period of your life?

OVN; I had a very happy childhood. We were probably classified as not wealthy, but I never felt that way. My parents gave my siblings and me every opportunity they could. For example, my dad insisted we take ‘Typing’ as a subject in school, predicting that one day we would work entirely on computers — and today, I can type with ten fingers faster than anyone I’ve ever met. My mom, on the other hand, believed in the importance of music, so we were required to learn at least one musical instrument and read music. Today, music is my escape from the stress and excess of modern life.

I was also raised to respect nature in all its forms and to appreciate even the smallest things in life. This has shaped me into someone who is content within myself and never feels the need to compare my journey to anyone else’s.

AGN; Your hobbies encompass cycling, swimming and music. In fact you have a Unisa grade 8 in piano and in pipe organ, a grade 6 in music theory and are currently working towards a grade 8 in violin. Did you ever consider taking up music professionally?

OVN; I sometimes wonder what life would have been like if I had become a professional musician but I don’t dwell too much on the ‘could-haves’ or ‘what-ifs’ of life. I still perform and seek out opportunities to do so — even if I have to create those opportunities myself. Who knows? Maybe when I retire as a Quantity Surveyor, I’ll finally pursue something in music.

AGN; Self-reflection is important and can help one identify aspects to work on in order to become better a version of oneself.

Is there a particular personal trait that you weren’t so happy about but that you have been able to change and might you have any insights in terms of how others might be able to better identify areas for self-improvement as well as a method to address them?

OVN; A wise man once said, “You don’t have to say everything that’s on your mind.” Over time, I’ve learned the power of staying quiet and choosing my battles wisely. I no longer waste energy arguing with fools — I state my case, make my argument, and leave it at that.

AGN; Is there a particular cause your feel strongly about and if so, why?

OVN; Yes, nature conservation. Humanity is the most narcissistic species — we take, consume, pollute, and destroy, often with little thought for the consequences. Man cannot create, nor can he truly re-create; he can only conserve. While this may seem like an exaggeration, the more I engage with conservation efforts, the stronger I feel about our responsibility to protect the planet.

We have one Earth, and I believe we are failing in our role as caretakers. It’s time we shift our focus from short-term gratification to long-term preservation.

AGN; What is the one thing above all else from the values you espouse that you would like people to remember you for?

OVN; I don’t believe I’ll ever fully figure “it” out — life, the world, or why things happen the way they do. I won’t find a perfect formula to ensure a flawless future, nor will I ever master the art of existencel but what I have figured out is how to embrace life, to truly accept it as it comes. It’s not always easy or logical, and I don’t always have control, but it’s mine.

If people remember me for anything, I’d like it to be that.