The first thing I notice on Pietie Traut’s bookshelf is a sturdy Sociology book, securely wedged between various technical manuals. It makes complete sense that the study of social behaviour, development, organisation and institutions interest him.
Here we have someone who has so many stories to tell, after an hour and 45 minutes my pen’s ink ran dry. He loves people, but his thoroughness and consistency found a secure footing in his current position as Managing Head of IT’s Portfolio and Project Office.
People have to be given the opportunity to build a future for themselves within an organisation, to be given room for development.
“They must be given the opportunity to contend. Keep the dream alive!” His own career is a living example of this belief.
He was sent to school at an early age – “I was a busy child, my mother probably wanted to get rid of me.” At the age of 19, three years after completing matric, he started teaching matric.
His first PC was a ZX Spectrum with a mere 1k memory. At this stage he was already convinced that, one day, everything would work with buttons!
His love of technology led to a technical diploma, educational diploma (with technology as speciality) and a diploma in Data metrics and came to it’s full potential at various companies, among others the then Post Office, now Telkom SA.
“I’m actually an electrical guy.”
He remembers the installation of the first modem in Cape Town and how these pieces of equipment were still dismantled and fixed. The first modems ran at 200 bits per second, then 600 bps, 1200 bps, 2400 bps, etc. News photos in papers, also known as land line photos, were sent by copper land lines and then printed on photo paper with the words “Photo via land line” underneath.
Of course Morse code was the forerunner of electronic communication and later the teleprinter – an amazing piece of electro mechanics sending 7.5 bits at 50bps characters, on a copper land line – even overseas.
Those days, once you’ve worked for the Post Office, you wouldn’t be able to get another job at some other private institutions. But Pietie’s persistence paid off when he was appointed at Saambou’s computer division. Unfortunately this meant they had to move to Sunnyside in Pretoria. Initially he rented a flat from a Free State farmer with newspaper curtains. He works at Saambou for 7 months, while his wife, Estelle, misses the Cape desperately.
“Every time they showed Table Mountain on the television, she started crying.”
Around this time, in 1983, the first referendum for the three houses of parliament, was held and he went to vote with his youngest in tow in his pram.
His luck turned around when a colleague’s cousin, a manager at R&R (then Rupert & Rupert) in Paarl, stopped by for a tour of Saambou’s mainframe room. Without hesitating he asked for a job at R&R.
A week later he receives a call from the head of R&R’s Information Division. After negotiating payment of moving costs and furniture storage, Pietie and Estelle are back in Cape Town.
In 1984 he starts working at Stellenbosch University’s IT department with Kobus Meij, Nick Lubbe, Helmi Dreijer, Johann Kistner and also Herman Heunis, founder of Mxit.
Not long after Boland Bank offers him an opportunity to engineer his own career with a brand new position. He remembers this time as one of hard work. It was more than an 8 to 5 job.
“After normal working hours I went home and did the odd jobs around the house men are supposed to do, had dinner and at 9 o’clock went back to work until 2 the next morning.”
Over time dynamics at the bank changed, as with many others during the 80’s and 90’s. Bolank Bank becomes NBS Boland, then Boland PKS and in the end BoE Bank. PEP Bank is also born from these at the time and later also Capitec.
By this time he was smoking 40 cigarettes per day and Christmas 1999 he ends up in hospital to have a stent fitted. This and the unstable work environment convinced him to make a career change and for a second time, in October 2000 he joins the University. This time as Internet and Telecommunications Manager.
Under his management the three tier internet tariff structure is implemented, larger bandwidth is negotiated and the first Siemens IP speech telephone system installed.
“I was also responsible for investigating and facilitating the larger video conferencing systems on campus.” The highlight during this time was Prof Russel Botman’s video chat with the rector of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. The event was broadcasted in real-time from the Endler hall via a “borrowed” 15Mbps connection.
“I remember how Mohamed Shaikh came to hug me afterwards at the cocktail party. He was that relieved everything went without a hitch.” The success of this technically nerve-racking event was also made possible by Joe Smit and Barry Sauermann.
At the same time mass e-mails are being implemented, the traditional switchboard phased out and the current US Service Desk established.
In 2011 restructuring takes place within IT and Pietie reaches a fork in the road.
“I had to take a leap of faith.”
The leap of faith became IT’s Project office, consisting of Pietie, Marius Vorster and Camen Petersen. This team sees to all IT projects being documented and that the correct project management processes are followed. At the moment approximately 83 projects are in development and regular project board meetings are held to ensure these projects add value to business and the three strategic focus areas of SU, namely Academic, Research and Community Interaction.
However, this definitely isn’t an easy, smooth exercise – mind shifts have to be made in an environment where people are used to their own set ways.
“Success breeds success. If we can prove these processes work, we can change reasoning.” It’s all part of the challenge.
When they take a break Pietie and Estelle packs their new teardrop trailer and goes camping in Kenhardt (in winter) and Dwarskersbos (in summer).
“Pitching a tent is a test for any marriage. That’s why Estelle does it and I rather just walk away.”
No wonder it’s a bit stressful, considering a Taurus and Leo are equally stubborn and pig-headed.
Occasionally they also take the motorbike, a sturdy BMW R1200R road bike and explore the country. He’s completed 3 Buffalo Rallies and doesn’t mind driving long distances on his own.
Some of these trips include one of 4700km over 7 days to Phalaborwa for a friend’s wedding, 2700km in 5 days to a farm on the Botwana border, 90 km’s east of Aranos in Namibia and this year almost 2400km in 6 days to Kenhardt, his home town. During the latter he backpacked to Elands Bay and ended up singing and playing guitar in the local Wit Mossel Pot. The bucket list still includes Route 66 in the USA, but at this stage he might swop it for a trip to Nashville for the Country Music Awards.
After almost 2 hours of stories (and a dried up pen), I was on my way to a next meeting, fairly satisfied that I had enough material to work with. But Pietie, fittingly as a story teller, had to have the last word.
“During that time I worked so hard, I also played in the band every weekend …. with Clive Bruce, Bles Bridges, Hennie from Egoli and Gene Rockwell. ”
“Did you play their songs?” I innocently asked.
“No, I was with them on stage! And then there’s that famous cousin of mine. He has this song called “Drie pikkewyne”, but I’m a better singer than he is!” he jokes.Die eerste ding wat ek op Pietie Traut se boekrak raakkyk, is `n stewige Sosiologie-handboek, vasgepen tussen allerlei tegniese handleidings. Dit maak sin dat `n vakgebied wat sosiale optrede, ontwikkeling, organisasie en instansies hom interesseer.
Hier het ons met iemand te doen wat soveel stories het om te vertel dat my pen se ink na `n uur en 45 minute begin opraak het. Hy’s lief vir mense, maar sy deeglikheid en konsekwentheid kry stewige vastrapplek in sy huidige posisie as Bestuurshoof van IT se Portefeulje- en Projekkantoor.
Mense moet die geleentheid gegee word om `n toekoms te bou by `n organisasie en ruimte vir ontwikkeling gegun word.
“They must be given the opportunity to contend. Keep the dream alive!”. Sy eie loopbaan is die toonbeeld hiervan.
Hy’s op `n jong ouderdom skool toe – “Ek is te woelig, my ma wou my seker maar uit die huis uit hê.” Op 19 begin hy reeds klasgee in Datakommunikasie nadat hy 3 jaar tevore in matriek was.
Sy eerste rekenaar was `n ZX Spectrum met net 1k geheue en toe reeds toe was hy vas oortuig dat alles eendag met knoppies gaan werk.
Die voorliefde vir tegnologie lei tot `n tegniese diploma, onderwysdiploma (met tegnologie as spesialisgebied) en ‘n diploma in Datametrie en kry gestalte by verskeie besighede, onder andere die destydse Poskantoor, vandag Telkom SA.
“Ek is eintlik maar `n elektriese ou.”
Hy onthou toe die eerste modem in Kaapstad destyds geïnstalleer is en modems nog uitmekaargehaal en reggemaak is. Die eerste modems het teen 200 bisse per sekonde geloop, daarna 600 bps, 1200bps, 2400bps, ens. Nuusfotos vir koerante, of té wel landlynfotos, is via koper landlyne versend en dan op fotopapier gedruk met die woorde “Foto per landlyn” onderaan.
Morsekode was natuurlik een van die voorlopers van elektriese telekommunikasie en later die teledrukker – `n stukkie ongelooflike elektromeganika wat teen 50bps karakters, van 7.5bisse lank, kon stuur oor ‘n koper landlyn – ook oorsee.
Destyds kon jy nie binne 6 maande nadat jy bedank het ‘n aanstelling by sekere ander privaatinstansies kry as jy by die Poskantoor gewerk het nie. Maar Pietie se uithouvermoeë het op die ou end vir hom `n pos by Saambou se rekenaarafdeling laat kry. Dit het `n skuif na Sunnyside in Pretoria beteken, waar hy aanvanklik `n woonstel van `n boer van die Vrystaat gehuur het met koerantpapier vir gordyne. Hy werk hy vir 7 maande as Netwerkhoof, terwyl Estelle, sy beterhelfte, droewiglik verlang na die Kaap.
“Elke keer as Tafelberg op die televisie gekom het, het sy begin huil.”
Dit was rondom dié tyd, in 1983, toe die eerste referendum, die driekamer parlement referendum, plaasgevind het wat hy met sy jongste met stootwaentjie en al gaan stem het in Sunnyside.
Sy geluk het gedraai toe`n neef van `n mede-kollega, `n bestuurder by R&R in die Paarl (toe Rupert & Rupert), eendag opdaag vir `n toer van Saambou se hoofraamkamer. Sonder om te skroom, vra hy of hulle werk vir hom in die Paarl het.
`n Week later kry hy `n oproep van die hoof van R&R se Inligtingsafdeling. Na armdraai oor verhuisingskoste en 3 maande se meubelstoring, is Pietie en Estelle terug in die Kaap en by Tafelberg.
In 1984 begin hy by Stellenbosch Universiteit se IT-afdeling werk saam met Kobus Meij, Nick Lubbe, Helmi Dreijer, Johann Kistner en ook Herman Heunis, stigter van Mxit.
Kort voor lank bied Boland Bank hom die geleentheid om sy toekoms te verbreed met `n splinternuwe pos. Hy onthou dié tyd as een van baie harde werk. Dit was nie net `n kwessie van 8 tot 5 nie.
“Na gewone werksure het ek huistoe gegaan en allerhande goedjies rondom die huis gedoen wat mans maar moet doen, aandete geëet en 9 uur se kant die tweede skof ingesit tot 2 uur die oggend.”
Met tyd verander die dinamika by die bank, soos met die meeste banke gedurende die 80′s en 90′s. Bolank Bank word NBS Boland, toe Boland PKS en daarna BoE Bank. PEP Bank is hieruit gebore en later ook Capitec.
Teen dié tyd rook hy 40 sigarette `n dag en beland Kersfees 1999 in die hospitaal om hy `n stent kry. Hierna besluit hy dat die onstuimigheid by die bank nie meer lekker vir hom werk nie en sluit, ter wille van ‘n meer stabiele omgewing, `n tweede keer in Oktober 2000 by die Universiteit aan. Dié keer as Internet- en Telekommunikasiebestuurder.
Onder sy bestuur word die 3-vlak internet tariefstruktuur in werking gestel, groter bandwydte onderhandel en die eerste Siemens IP spraak-telefoonstelsel geïmplementeer.
“Ek was ook verantwoordelik vir die ondersoeke na en beskikbaarstelling van die groter video-konferensiestelsels op kampus.” Die hoogtepunt hiervan was Prof Russel Botman se video-gesprek met die rektor van die Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, intyds kampuswyd uitgesaai vanuit die Endlersaal via ‘n “geleende” 15Mbps verbinding.
“Ek onthou hoe Mohamed Shaikh my na die tyd tydens die cocktail party kom omhels het van blydskap dat alles probleemvry verloop het.” Joe Smit en Barry Sauermann het darem ook `n groot rol gespeel in die sukses van hierdie tegnies-senutergende gebeurtenis.
Tussendeur word massa sms’e geimplementeer, die tradisionele skakelbord uitfasseer en ons huidige US Dienssentrum skakelbord gevestig.
In 2011 vind grootskaalse herorganisasie binne IT plaas en Pietie beland voor `n vurk in sy pad.
“Ek moes `n leap of faith vat.”
Die leap of faith is vandag IT se Projekkantoor, bestaande uit Pietie, Marius Vorster en Camen Petersen. Hierdie span sorg dat alle projekte van die afdeling IT gedokumenteer en die regte projekbestuursprosesse gevolg word. Tans is daar in die orde van 83 projekte in ontwikkeling en gereelde projekraadvergaderings word gehou om te verseker dat projekte waarde toevoeg tot besigheid in die drie strategies belangrike areas van die US, naamlik Akademie, Navorsing en Gemeenskapsinteraksie.
Dis egter verseker nie `n maklike, soomlose oefening nie – kopskuiwe moet gemaak word in `n omgewing waar mense gewoond is aan hul eie vaste metodes.
“Success breeds success. As ons kan wys dat die prosesse werk, kan ons denke verander.” Dis alles deel van die uitdaging.
As dit tyd is vir vakansie, pak Pietie en Estelle hul nuwe teardrop-sleepwaentjie en gaan kamp in Kenhardt in die winter en Dwarskersbos in die somer.
“Tent opslaan is `n toets vir enige huwelik. Dis hoekom Estelle dit doen en ek liewer maar wegloop”.
Dit gaan ook maar bars, siende dat `n Bul en Leeu altwee ewe hardkoppig en eiesinnig kan wees.
So af en toe vat hulle die motorfiets, `n stewige BMW R1200R padfiets en verken die land. Hy het al 3 Buffalo Rallies agter die blad en ry maklik op sy eie na vêr bestemmings.
Van hierdie ritte sluit een van 4700km oor 7 dae Phalaborwa toe vir `n pel se troue, 2700 km in 5 dae na ‘n plaas op die Botswana-grens, 90km oos van Aranos in Namibië en vanjaar ook sowat 2400 km in 6 dae na sy geboortedorp, Kenhardt. Tydens laasgenoemde rit het hy in Elandsbaai gebackpack en met `n besoek aan die Wit Mossel Pot te heerlik gesing en kitaar gespeel. Die plan was nog om Route 66 in die VSA aan te pak, maar op die stadium sal hy dit liewer verruil vir `n besoek aan Nashville vir die Country Music Awards.
Na amper 2 ure se stories (en `n droë pen) was ek oppad na `n volgende vergadering, tevrede dat daar oorgenoeg materiaal is om iets met `n bietjie vleis saam te stel. Maar Pietie, soos `n storieverteller betaam, moes nog `n laaste lyn gooi om my nuuskierig te maak.
“Daai tyd wat ek so hard gewerk het, het ek elke naweek ook in die band gespeel … saam met Clive Bruce, Bles Bridges, Hennie van Egoli en Gene Rockwell. ”
“Het julle hulle liedjies gespeel”, vra ek ewe.
“Nee man, ek was saam met hulle op die stage! En dan is daar nog daai bekende neef van my. Hy sing van drie pikkewyne, maar ek sing beter as hy!”, spot hy.
“IT Helpdesk, good afternoon!” Most people on campus are greeted this way when they call the IT Service Desk. But for Quinton Luiters it’s become such an automatic response, he even answers his home phone in the same way – much to the amusement of his wife.
It may be a cliché, but dynamite comes in small packages – and this couldn’t be truer when it comes to Mandy. If you hear a click-clack of heels in IT’s passageways, you’ll know that this small package is on another mission to get things done.
