Full Name: Tebogo Isaac Tshabalala

Position: GM and director of Gold One International

Main Activity of the Company: Gold mining

Date and Place of Birth: January 6, 1967, Bothaville, in the Free State

Education: BTech (mining), University of Johannesburg; MBA, University of KwaZulu-Natal; mine overseer's and mine manager’s certificates of competence

First Job: Learner miner, Vaal Reefs gold mine

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 200 a month

Value of Assets under Your Control: $150-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 2 780 employees, of whom 2 300 are employed by the mine and 480 are contractors

Management Style: Open-door, ownership and accountability, and results-driven

Personal Best Achievement: Getting married to 'Mama'

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Izak Marais, former COO of Gold One Group

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: No one in particular, but I appreciated every opportunity to meet very influential and successful leaders, such as Thabo Mbeki and Patrice Motsepe

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Jack Welsh, former CEO of General Electric

Philosophy of Life: Life owes nothing to anyone; we all must take full advantage of every opportunity that life presents and give it our best, even if no one notices

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being appointed mine manager at Modder East Operations

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Being a mine manager without a mine to run, at Lonmin

Hope for the Future: That my children become successful; a fruitful retirement

Favourite Reading: In a Different Time, by Peter Harris; Sunday Times

Favourite TV Programme: eNCA; sports channels

Favourite Food/Drink: Tripe, oxtail/single-malt whisky

Favourite Music: Jazz, gospel and deep house

Favourite Sport: Soccer

Hobbies: Taking the car to the carwash and reading the newspaper while I wait; socialising with friends and colleagues

Car: BMW X5, Toyota Hilux

Pets: Gold fish

Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who connive, deceive and lie, because I am the complete opposite

Married: To Elizabeth

Children: Refilwe, 19; Kamohelo, 17; Paballo, 9

Clubs/Organisation Membership: The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Association of Mine Managers South Africa