Full Name: Maida Ntuli

Position: Senior mining engineer, AEL Mining Services

Main Activity of the Company: AEL develops, manufactures and supplies commercial explosives, initiating systems and blasting services to the mining and construction markets across the world

Date and Place of Birth: January 22, 1987, Angola

Education: Bachelor’s degree in mining engineering

First Job: AEL Mining Services – junior mining engineer (temp)

Career History Prior to Current Position: I started at AEL Mining Services as a junior mining engineer in 2011, where I worked for four years. Thereafter, I was offered the opportunity to work at AEL Mining Services West Africa – Ghana division – leading the technical services section as the mining engineer – from 2014 to 2017

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: I currently have two junior mining engineers under my leadership

Management Style: I do not believe in the one-fits-all principle, as all employees are different in character and work ethic. I have the ability to effectively engage with each to achieve the required goals set. Nonetheless, I have more of a coaching management style, with a touch of authoritativeness for setting direction and a vision for my team

Personal Best Achievement: Buying my own home and investing my first salary into my sibling’s tertiary education; seeing his success and progress today gives me so much pride – it will forever be worth it

Professional Best Achievement: AEL sales award, recognition of value-adding achievements in AEL Ghana

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Franky Botha; he is a great mentor – tough, caring and driven – and has very high standards, which is inspirational

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Khanyi Dhlomo – a strong black female entrepreneur, yet with so much grace

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Jack Ma, Patrice Motsepe

Philosophy of Life: My life philosophy is summarised in two Bible verses: Jeremiah 29:11 and Philippians 4:13. I have been created for a purpose, there is a bigger plan and I will honour this opportunity I was given called life to fulfil my destiny without fear as He gives me strength

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Working abroad – as an expatriate in West Africa (Ghana)

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not stated

Hope for the Future: To have the resources and ability to help provide safe drinking water for families across the African continent

Favourite Reading: There are many – one is The monk who sold his Ferrari, by Robin Sharma

Favourite TV Programme: I enjoy most National Geographic shows, but my favourites are Megastructures and Brain Games

Favourite Food/Drink: Mediterranean food/no specific drink

Favourite Music: Nina Simone – The look of love

Favourite Sport: I always enjoyed sport – different types. I am a soccer fan (used to be a player), love tennis and enjoy watching Formula 1 (Mercedes fan) and golf

Favourite Website: None

Hobbies: Reading, sport and baking

Car: Ferrari

Pets: None at the moment, but I love dogs and once had a few

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonest people

Favourite Other South African Company: Naspers

Favourite Foreign Company: Amazon

Married: To Sicelo Ntuli

Children: An eight-year-old and a baby on the way

Clubs: None