Capitec Bank's outgoing CEO Gerrie Fourie on living his passion

The Money Show's Stephen Grootes speaks to Gerrie Fourie, CEO of Capitec, about his 11-year tenure at the helm.

Listen below:

Fourie will retire as the CEO of one of South Africa's biggest banks later this month.

He is stepping down from his role on 18 July after 25 years on the bank's executive management team.

He spoke about growing up in the Free State and how he ended up at Capitec Bank.

Despite his enormous business success, Fourie admits he wasn't a diligent pupil at school.

"I was not a very good student at school. I was more into doing sports. So studying and maths came second."

Gerrie Fourie, CEO - Capitec Bank

Fourie says it was only when he began his BCom at the University of Stellenbosch that he knuckled down and focused.

"In my first year, second year, I got serious and went for it... I was a good student when I went to varsity."

- Gerrie Fourie, CEO - Capitec Bank

But Fourie didn't always have the idea that he would venture into banking.

Rather, he saw himself as an entrepreneur.

"I wanted to build my own business. I didn't want to work for a salary."

 - Gerrie Fourie, CEO - Capitec Bank

It was when Fourie was 37 and working in Johannesburg that he was approached by philanthropist Michiel le Roux, who asked him if he wanted to start a bank.

"I took the opportunity, because that was my passion."

 - Gerrie Fourie, CEO - Capitec Bank

"What I've done in the last 25 years is live my passion."

 - Gerrie Fourie, CEO - Capitec Bank

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