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About Us

The Van Zyl family started the drilling business in 1970 when the founding member, Koos van Zyl started Van Zyl Boorwerke. At his side was his wife, Miems van Zyl and later his sons joined the business after school and national service. In 1989 Koos and his sons registered Van Zyl Boorwerke as a Close Corporation. Unfortunately, Mr van Zyl passed away in 2010 but left behind a legacy that is rich in management, technical skills and knowledge built up over the last three decades.

The ‘young blood” also made significant expansion opportunities possible by venturing into the corporate market and obtaining work at major mining houses and corporations. The business started out by drilling boreholes (mainly for water) for businesses and private property owners. During the past couple of years, the business entered a capital expansion program by acquiring different types of drilling rigs and their latest technology consist of Sonic drilling for geotechnical holes to expand operations and to shorten production time.

Current company
The Close Corporation consists of two Members who are actively involved in the day-to-day operations and management of the business. Management also does the specialized drilling themselves, which contributes to our customer satisfaction.
More than 30 people are employed at Van Zyl Boorwerke.

 

Management

Hannes van Zyl

Managing Member

Hannes is a Mechanical Engineer with 35 years of industry experience.

He started as an assistant for his farther during his primary school years. Later, during his high school years, he operated the drill by himself over weekends and school holidays with his friends as the drilling assistants. He officially joined the Van Zyl family business in 1986 as a drill rig operator after completion of his studies. He has been a member of the Close Corporation since 1989.

Hannes has been building and modifying most of Van Zyl Boorwerke’s equipment himself.

Martin van Zyl

Managing Member

Martin has over 32 years of experience in the industry. He started as an assistant for his farther during his primary school years. He joined the Van Zyl family business in 1986 as a drill rig operator after completing his National Military service. Has been a member of the Close Corporation since 1989.

Martin’s focus is the specialised drilling contacts.

Jaco van Zyl

Customer Relations and Sales Manager

Jaco, son of Hannes, also grew up in the family business by working as assistant during his school holidays. He joined the business full time in 2018 as a drill operator. He has experience working on various drills, including Percussion Drill, RC Drill, Sonic Drill, Air Core Drill and Cor Drilling.

 

Tharina van Zyl

Financial Manager

Tharina, daughter of Hannes, joint the family business in June 2021. She is overseeing the financial aspect of the business. In 2018 she graduated from Northwest University’s Potchefstroom Campus with an honours degree in Forensic Accounting. She also obtained her full membership at the Association for Certified Fraud Examiner’s in 2019.

Surina van Zyl

Creditors Manager

Surina is an experienced business women who has been managing her own Restaurant and Guesthouses for more than 20 years. She graduated at Northwest University in 1989 with a BComm degree and obtained her Higher Education Diploma in 1993.

Surina joined the company in May 2021 and is responsible for the reconciliation and payments of creditors.

Staff

Abram Dintwe

TLB Operator

Abram has been with the business since 2012. He is a TLB driver and also obtained the following certificates:

  • Assistant Certificate of Competence
  • Tractor Loader Backhoe Operator
  • First aid Level 1
  • Fire Warden
  • Scaffold & Harness User
  • Explain and Perform Fall Arrest Techniques when working at Heights including Harness Safety
  • Safe Work Procedures

Basie Jansen van Rensburg

Assistant Mechanic

Basie has been with the business since 2019. He assists with the maintenance on equipment and general maintenance. Basie attended Sarel Cilliers High School till 2006. He has also completed a Hydraulic Course.

Amos Kelemba

Assistant

Amos has been with the business since 2011. He assists the Rig Operator in performing tasks around the rig. Amos attended Tlokwe Secondary School till 1999. He has also obtained the following certificates:

  • Operational Risk Management workshop
  • First aid Level 1
  • Health and Safety representative

Shane Marapi

Core Marker (Scripe)

Shane has been with the business since 2012. He is responsible for the pack of the sampling and reconciliation of the samples with the meters drilled. Shane attended OR Thambo Secondary School up until 2010. He has also obtained the following certificates:

  • Exploration Drill Scribe
  • Scriber’s Certificate of competency
  • First aid Level 1
  • Conduct Basic Fire Fighting

Andries Mokoto

Core Marker (Scripe)

Andries has been with the business since 2012. He assists the Rig Operator in performing tasks around the rig. Andries attended Leruntsi Secondary School till 1996. He has also obtained the following certificates:
– Conduct Basic Fire Fighting
– First aid Level 1
– Fire warden
– Scaffold User & Harness Training

France Moshodi

Assistant

France has been with Van Zyl Boorwerke since 2008. He assists the Rig Operator in performing tasks around the rig. France attended Boiphihlelo High School up until 1997. He also obtained the following certificates:

  • Conduct Basic Fire Fighting
  • First aid Level 1
  • Working at Height
  • Health and Safety representative

Rigard Pieterse

Transport Supervisor

Rigard has been with the business since 2018. He assists with the day-to-day collection of purchase and equipment transportation. Rigard attended Hoërskool Schoonspruit till 1985. He has also obtained the following certificates:
– First aid Level 1
– Defensive Driving
– Competence: Diamond Drill Operator

Piet Sandi

Assistant

Piet has been with the business since 2010. He assists the Rig Operator in performing tasks around the rig. He has also obtained the following certificates:
– Safe Work Procedures
– Conduct Basic Fire Fighting
– First aid Level 1
– Fire warden
– Explain and perform fall arrest techniques when working at hights including harness safety,

Matthews Semoli

Assistant

Matthews joined VZB in 2013. He assists the Rig Operator in performing tasks around the rig. Matthews attended Popano Secondary School.

  • Assistant Certificate of Competence
  • Basic Hand Tools
  • Signalman (Spotter)
  • First aid Level 1
  • Health and Safety representative
  • Operational Risk Management Workshop

Jacob Sikhuni

Assistant

Jacob has been with the business since 2004. He assists the Rig Operator in performing tasks around the rig, and he is also a driver. Jacob attended Metsimatle High School till 1998. He has also obtained the following certificates:
– Conduct Basic Fire Fighting
– First aid Level 1
– Fire warden
– Health and Safety representative

Vincent Swetsane

Assistant

Vincent has been with the business since 2011. He assists the Rig Operator in performing tasks around the rig. Vincent attended Moyakeng High School till 1998. He has also obtained the following certificates:

  • First aid Level 1
  • Operational Risk Management workshop
  • Health and Safety representative
  • Signalman (Spotter)
  • Basic Hand Tools

Michael Tshisimba

Assistant

Michael has been with the business since 2013. He assists the Rig Operator in performing tasks around the rig, and he is also a driver. Michael attended Maranito High School till 1988. He has also obtained the following certificates:
– Conduct Basic Fire Fighting
– First aid Level 1
– Defensive Driving
– Operational Risk Management workshop
– Health and Safety representative
– Receive, Handle & Store Hazardous Chemicals
– Controlling Hazardous and Dangerous Goods