Full Name: Masilo Esau Mokoteli

Position: GM of Goldplat Recovery

Main Activity of the Company: Recovery of gold and platinum-group metals from mining industry waste materials such as woodchips, fine carbon, mill liners and grease

Date and Place of Birth: August 6, 1970, Odendaalsrus, Free State

Education: Higher national diploma (chemical engineering)

First Job: Learner official, Johannesburg Consolidated Investments, 1992

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 600 a month

Value of Assets under Your Control: R280-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 270

Management Style: Participative

Personal Best Achievement: As a junior metallurgist, implementing an online particle size indicator in the mill product stream, which many had previously attempted but were unsuccessful

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My former manager, Kallie Schultz

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Sir Richard Branson

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Neal Froneman

Philosophy of Life: Do your best in all you do and God will do the rest

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being appointed GM at Goldplat Recovery

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not getting the promotion I thought I deserved – this made me resign from one of the big mining companies in South Africa

Hope for the Future: Running my own business successfully

Favourite Reading: I am not much of a reader

Favourite TV Programmes: Gold Rush, Married at First Sight

Favourite Food/Drink: Braai

Favourite Music: R&B, choral

Favourite Sport: Soccer

Hobbies: Motor mechanics, small DIY projects

Car: BMW 320d

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Being taken advantage of

Married: To Bridget

Children: Tumiso, 12; Katiso, 8

Clubs: Lerato Social Club (a few families coming together to socialise and invest as a collective)