Sleg is goed, but you need to find the good in every bad situation”

 Jan-Hendrik Cronje

Category

Politics & Governance
 

Organisation / Company

Van Wyk & Preller
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality
 

Position

Practicing attorney | Ward councillor

 

Follow

   
 

Profile

For Jan-Hendrik Cronje, 33, law and leadership are inseparable tools for building accountable communities and advancing justice. As both a practicing attorney and an elected ward councillor, Jan-Hendrik is dedicated to empowering individuals,  improving governance, and creating spaces where people feel heard and protected. After earning his LLB and LLM in private law from the University of the Free State, he was admitted as an attorney in 2018.  His practice focuses on private law and dispute resolution, but his influence extends far beyond the courtroom. In 2024, Jan-Hendrik was elected as a ward councillor in Mangaung metro, where he championed service delivery, governance reform and community development. His leadership has also been felt in South Africa’s sporting arena, where he serves as deputy president of the Free State Cheetahs Rugby Union and chairperson of its finance committee. An advocate for ethical entrepreneurship, Cronje is vice-president of the BNI Rectiora Chapter in  Bloemfontein, fostering business growth through trusted networks. He is guided by the philosophy of “Don’t chase titles, chase impact.”

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of the Free State
  • Master of Laws (LLM) in Private Law, University of the Free State

Achievements

  • Admission as an Attorney of the High Court (2018) – marked the formal beginning of a legal career, following rigorous academic and practical training
  • Completion of Master of Laws (LLM) in Private Law (2017) – deepened legal expertise, particularly in private and contractual law, which  continued to apply in both legal practice and governance roles
  • Chairperson, Finance Committee, Free State Cheetahs Rugby Union (2024–Present) – provides oversight of financial governance for a major provincial sports union
  • Elected ward councillor (2024–Present) – earned the trust of the community to represent their interests at municipal level
  • Deputy President, Free State Cheetahs Rugby Union (2023–Present)  – providing strategic direction to one of South Africa’s most historic rugby unions

Mentors

There are many individuals I look up to across the different organisations and structures I am involved in. I believe each industry is unique, and therefore I admire a person in every organisation or team I am part of. I make a conscious effort to learn from their leadership styles and qualities, drawing inspiration from their strengths to improve my own approach.