Full Name: Bennetor Magara

Position: Executive head: engineering and projects at Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) since 2009

Main Activity of the Company: Mining platinum

Date and Place of Birth: June 24, 1967, Bikita, Zimbabwe

Education: BSc (Eng) (Hons), University of Zimbabwe, 1990; ADP, London Business School; and AMP, Gordon Institute of Business Science

First Job: Underground miner

Size Of First Pay Packet: Z$1 164 a month

Size of Capital Portfolio: R7-billion to R10-billion a year

Number of People under Your Leadership: About 5 000

Management Style: Inspire and empower people to work to a purpose and have fun

Personal Best Achievement: My wife and two sons

Best Business Achievement: Being CEO of Anglo Coal South Africa at 38 years of age

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My mother

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Richard Branson – again

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson

Philosophy of Life: Making a positive difference and having fun in all that I do

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Turning around the New Denmark colliery’s safety, production, costs and culture

Biggest Ever Disappointment: The death of a fellow miner

Hope for the Future: A flourishing Zimbabwe

Favourite Reading: Business and strategy material

Favourite TV Programme: News and sports

Favourite Food/Drink: Scones/still water

Favourite Music: Rock and jazz

Favourite Sport: Golf and squash

Hobbies: Having fun and the outdoors – I am a people person

Cars: Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota Hilux

Pets: Jack Russell

Dislikes: Laziness and inaction

Married: To Gumisayi

Children: Makomborero (‘Kombo’) and Mazvita

Clubs: Dainfern Country Club and Rand Club

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