Conversation with a stranger: An entrepreneur and family man with a passion for God

DARREN van den Heever (23) is the owner of Fortress Defence Security Solutions (FDSS) in Glenanda, which is primarily focused on the greater South area but extends across Gauteng.

He spoke of how his work has been featured across South Africa and how FDSS has a national footprint.

Darren was born and raised in the South. He grew up in the South Hills area and attended Laerskool Montanus Primary and Jordao College. After school Darren wanted to be a personal trainer but finances didn’t allow him to at the time, so he worked as a waiter at the original Calisto’s Portuguese Restaurant in Gillview for about a year.

Read: Videos: Up close and personal at The Original Calisto’s Portuguese Restaurant

The Glenanda resident then started studying towards being a personal trainer while working at a company in Sandton and thereafter helping his father-in-law at their pet shop in Boksburg for about eight months.

Darren never gave up on becoming a personal trainer and eventually landed a job at the Virgin Active in Meyersdal as a floor instructor for about six months. Thereafter he became a personal trainer for about a year and a half.

“I was always business-minded, even as a child. I would buy something for R10 and sell it to my friends for double the price,” laughed Darren. “While being a trainer I began praying about what I wanted to do, and so I met a businessman who owned a logistics company.”

Darren mentioned that his father owned a security company many years ago, but due to unforeseen circumstances, it fell apart. He always wanted to own his own company. He founded his own security company so that his father could eventually leave work. The businessman who Darren met helped him with the paperwork to set the business on the right track.

Since July 2016 FDSS has grown slowly and now offers essential security services, such as guarding, management and installations. He aims to offer armed response services in the future.

“My dream is to one day grow this business and eradicate at least one per cent of poverty with it. I want to create as much employment as I can,” said Darren.

Darren has a passion for business and church. He attends the Rosettenville Baptist Church with his wife and enjoys serving there.

For more information visit www.fortressdefence.co.za, find Fortress Defence Security Solutions on Facebook, call 060 991 5469 or email darren@fortressdefence.co.za. He is available 24 hours for business.

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