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.”
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.