Ep 10/12: On Equality, code, and rugby with Justinus Adriaanse

In this deeply personal and visionary episode, Pierre speaks with Justinus, a passionate entrepreneur and co-founder of WeThinkCode_, about building a more equitable South Africa. They dive into Justinus’s background, his love for rugby, and the transformative power of access to education and opportunity. From developing world-class coders from underserved communities to launching a bold new initiative inspired by South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victories, Justinus shares a blueprint for national renewal rooted in inclusivity and grit.

Justinus is a serial entrepreneur, having been co-founder at Private Property Holdings and WeThinkCode_ in South Africa, Entabeni Systems and Umgundi Holdings in Canada. He has been in the Entrepreneurs' Organization for 14 years, and has been part of 5 chapters over that period.Today Justinus and his wife are building a business focussed on optimizing for impact not just value. An avid sports fan and traveller he loves visiting live sports events all over the world with his family and spends many hours next to sport fields supporting his two teenage kids.When you meet him, be sure to ask if he enjoys Nando’s.

Links and books:
Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
👉 https://exclusivebooks.co.za/products/9780753560051

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
👉 https://exclusivebooks.co.za/products/9781785040207

Time to Think by Nancy Kline
👉 https://exclusivebooks.co.za/products/9780706377453

The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander & Benjamin Zander
👉 https://www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za/book/art-possibility-practices-leadership-relationship-and-passion/9780142001103

https://wethinkcode.co.za/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinusadriaanse

Timestamps:
[00:01:00] Justinus on Lowveld living and escaping Cape Town winters.
[00:03:44] Pretoria roots, rugby dreams, and school memories.
[00:06:39] The spark for WeThinkCode_: bridging access and building coders.
[00:08:01] From 50,000 applicants to 500 students: creating a scalable tech pipeline.
[00:09:54] Gender parity and diversity in tech education.
[00:10:54] Graduation day: joy, family pride, and life-changing milestones.
[00:12:00] A new mission: Project 95 and the dream of five more World Cup wins.
[00:15:43] Rugby development lessons from Ireland and South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
[00:17:00] Sunday rugby in small towns: discovering forgotten fields and fanatical culture.
[00:20:05] The impact of malnutrition on athletic potential.
[00:24:24] Why “95” is more than a number—it’s a national memory.
[00:26:00] Access vs. outcomes: the quota question and educational inequality.
[00:30:50] Screening for grit and agency at WeThinkCode_.
[00:33:00] Holding standards high while removing financial barriers.
[00:36:44] Why success requires stability over decades—not just talent.
[00:39:12] Comparing school funding models in the US and Canada.
[00:42:00] Recreating high-performing public schools across the nation.
[00:43:29] Why rugby is more than a game: a symbol of belonging and memory.
[00:45:51] Settling in Ontario, Canada: skiing, seasons, and new routines.
[00:46:58] How skiing became a lifelong passion—and the excuse to move abroad.
[00:49:40] Life lessons from the slopes: discomfort, growth, and persistence.
[00:52:00] Teaching kids courage, taking calculated risks, and embracing adventure.
[00:56:00] The rhythm of family life, travel, and the search for balance.
[01:00:00] The link between nostalgia, passion, and purpose.
[01:05:00] Building identity through shared rituals and cultural storytelling.
[01:10:00] Creating community in diaspora—keeping South Africa close while living abroad.
[01:15:00] Future plans: nomadic living, giving back, and staying connected.
[01:20:00] Justinus’s vision for legacy, leadership, and long-term impact.
[01:25:00] Final reflections: leaning into the discomfort and doing the hard things.