Meet the Team
Meet the operators of the Group
CEO AND FOUNDER
JOHANN NORTJE
Johann is the CEO and Founder of NORFER Inc, a division of the Simple X Group, which he established in 2011.
In 2025, the group underwent a strategic restructuring, leading to the formation of the broader Simple X ecosystem and its associated entities.
Johann is a qualified CA(SA) and Registered Auditor, having begun his professional career at the age of 18 (he will say at the age of 5). This early start laid the foundation for a career defined by discipline, analytical rigour, and a deep understanding of financial and operational frameworks.
He believes that everything we do operates within a frame of reference—and that all ideas, decisions, and outcomes can be tested against it.
With a natural talent for building and implementing effective processes, Johann focuses on creating structures that enable sustainable growth and long-term impact.
At his core, Johann is driven by a genuine desire to make a meaningful difference in the world, helping as many people as possible—whether clients, partners, or teams and team members—to succeed and thrive.
COO
LEIGH-MARI CRONJE
Leigh-Mari is the Chief Operating Officer of the Simple X Group.
She completed her ACCA articles at NORFER Inc and has remained with the company and the broader group ever since.
From her first day at NORFER, Leigh-Mari connected deeply with the group’s values, norms, and unwavering commitment to its clients.
She is passionate about going the extra mile to solve problems, alleviate client pain points, and ensure that every possible avenue is explored to deliver meaningful solutions.
A qualified Chartered Certified Accountant, Leigh-Mari combines strong financial expertise with sharp operational insight.
She is known for her ability to solve problems quickly, think creatively under pressure, and design practical solutions that drive real results.
In her role as COO, Leigh-Mari focuses on turning strategy into execution, building reliable operational frameworks, and creating an environment where teams are empowered to perform at their best.
She is driven by impact—supporting people, strengthening systems, and helping the Group deliver exceptional value to both clients and team members.
GROUP OPERATIONS MANAGER
BRAAM GREEFF
Braam is the Group Operations Manager at the Simple X Group, bringing deep technical expertise and a strong people-first mindset to the group.
A qualified SAIPA accountant, Braam also completed his articles at NORFER Inc and has steadily worked his way up within the group to his current leadership role.
At his core, Braam is an exceptionally dependable individual who is driven by a genuine desire to help those around him.
Whether supporting team members or assisting clients, he consistently goes above and beyond to ensure others have what they need to succeed.
Braam has a particularly strong background in taxation and is known for his highly detail-oriented approach.
He combines technical precision with operational reliability, ensuring that work is accurate, compliant, and delivered to a high standard.
As Group Operations Manager, Braam serves as a pillar for the teams—ensuring they are supported, resourced, and empowered to function effectively and provide practical, high-quality solutions.
GROUP HR ADMINISTRATOR
ALMARIE WILLIAMS
Almarie is the Group HR Administrator at the Simple X Group, having joined the organisation in 2022.
Since then, she has been a key player in supporting the people and culture that underpin the group’s success.
Often described as a whirlwind of pink and unicorns, Almarie brings energy, optimism, and warmth to everything she does.
She plays a vital role in ensuring that team members are supported, heard, and equipped with everything they need to succeed—both professionally and personally.
Almarie brings a critical “yellow” personality to the group, balancing the more blue, red, and green dynamics with positivity, creativity, and strong people intuition.
Her presence helps foster a supportive, inclusive environment where individuals feel valued and motivated.
At her core, Almarie is passionate about people and culture, contributing daily to a workplace where teams can thrive and bring their best selves to work.
TEAM LEADER | APEX ACCOUNTING
ADELE VENTER
Adele is a qualified SAIPA accountant and a valued member of the Simple X Group team.
She joined the group after completing her articles and quickly established herself as a critical contributor through her technical skill and attention to detail.
Adele has a particular talent for identifying problems within financial data, especially where transactions have been incorrectly captured.
Her ability to trace discrepancies, resolve errors, and restore accuracy has earned her the nickname “the problem serial killer” among colleagues.
With a deep passion for numbers and financial statements, Adele approaches her work with precision, focus, and genuine enthusiasm. She takes pride in producing accurate, reliable financial information and ensuring that clients can trust the figures they rely on to make decisions.
Through her dedication and analytical strength, Adele plays an important role in maintaining the high standard of financial integrity across the group.
TEAM LEADER | NORFER INC
ABRAHAM CHAPFIKA
Abraham Chapfika, commonly referred to as Mr A, is the Audit Team Leader at NORFER Incorporated, the audit division of the Simple X Group.
He has been with NORFER Inc since 2021 and plays a critical role in maintaining the quality, integrity, and consistency of the group’s audit engagements.
Mr A is deeply principle-driven and approaches his work with a strong sense of responsibility.
His core objective is to provide assurance and comfort to all parties who rely on the financial statements on which NORFER has expressed an audit opinion.
He is committed to upholding professional standards and ensuring that audit conclusions are well-founded, defensible, and trustworthy.
Known for his firm and disciplined approach, Mr A is a tough but fair leader who holds himself and his team to high standards.
His focus on quality, ethics, and accountability ensures that audit work is performed with rigour and professionalism, reinforcing trust in the outcomes delivered to clients and stakeholders.