PayFast founder Jonathan Smit steps down as MD

[Jan]

PayFast founder Jonathan Smit resigns

After fourteen years at the helm of PayFast, Jonathan Smit says he is stepping down to prepare for a new chapter. His resignation is effective from the end of August.

Smit founded PayFast in 2007 with the vision to make ecommerce accessible to all South Africans.

 

[Thor]

I've met him, great guy, very smart.

And Payfast is an exceptional business.

 

[RonSwanson]

14 years as an entrepreneur in your own startup is a lifetime. May he have a good rest.

 

[3WA]

Thank you Jonathan for all the help with my eBucks.

 

[Petec]

Man! I love this guy.
Back in the day, running my OsCommerce store, I cut over to Prestashop, just for the payments ability (initially).
Called up the guys at PayFast (they had only been going for a year or so) and hey presto (lol @ pun), we soon had a payment gateway for Prestashop.

These dudes were on FIRE. They would contact anyone to try integrate, if enough people asked for it.

The local banks could have OWNED this space, but they are useless and that's why I will always despise their 10-years-too-late, approach to Dev.
I clearly remember a few of the calls to the banks, when I was told, "Sorry, we just see no need to facilitate online transactions." My jaw is still on the ground from talking to these numpties.