For all the world, Jannie Mouton (69) and Jamie Vardy (28) live in different universes. One a Stellenbosch-based entrepreneur; the other a professional footballer in the English Premier League. But this weekend I realised they face an identical challenge.
Witnessing the 20th anniversary celebration of Mouton’s PSG emphasised how much he has profited from being under-rated. Ditto Vardy, the lone striker at unfashionable Leicester City, who this weekend set a new EPL record by scoring in his 11th successive game.
Fired at 48 from the stockbroking firm he started, Mouton built a fortune betting heavily on unfashionable but highly disruptive businesses – in particular the micro-lender which became Capitec Bank; and a private school dream called Curro. Vardy, likewise, came from under the radar. Just four years ago, at 24 he had reached the age when footballers have fully matured, and seemingly stuck with an unknown amateur team (Fleetwood Town).
Mouton and Vardy are no longer under-rated. Their every moves at PSG and Leicester now get micro-analysed by competitors. Such is the price of success. With such focused attention, both are sure to find the road ahead more challenging. That’s life.
