Full Name: Muthanyi Robinson Ramaite

Position: Nonexecutive chairperson of JSE-listed Wescoal, deputy CEO of United Manganese of Kalahari (UMK) and chairperson of Simeka Group

Main Activity of the Companies: Coal mining and trading, and manganese mining

Date and Place of Birth: March 7, 1969, Elim, Venda, South Africa

Education: BJuris, University of the North; master’s degree in public and development management, University of the Witwatersrand, 1992; Young Managers Programme, Insead, 2001

First Job: Policy analyst, Centre for Education Policy Development, 1992

Size of First Pay Packet: R4 000 a month

Value of Company Assets: Wescoal has a market capitalisation of R150-million; UMK and Simeka are unlisted

Number of People under Your Leadership: Wescoal, 250; UMK, 100; Simeka, 10

Management Style: Conceptualising operations and leaving them in the hands of competent managers

Personal Best Achievement: Watching my children grow up as responsible young adults

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Oliver Tambo

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Carl Icahn

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Carl Icahn

Philosophy of Life: Education is a lifelong and worthy investment

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being director-general of the Department of Public Service and Administration in President Thabo Mbeki’s first administration, from 1999 to 2003

Biggest Ever Disappointment: The loss of my parents

Hope for the Future: We need more young people to invest in their education

Favourite Reading: Biographies of icons of business

Favourite TV Programme: General news, business news and documentaries

Favourite Food/Drink: Meat/water

Favourite Music: Local jazz

Favourite Sport: Soccer, golf

Hobbies: Golf

Car: Range Rover Sport

Pets: A parrot named Linkie

Dislikes: Lazy people

Married: To Thendo

Children: Fana, 21; Naki, 16; Mukundi, 13

Clubs: Johannesburg Country Club