Full Name: Abongile Mdingi

Position: Founder and CEO of Horomela Mining Investments & Resources

Main Activity of the Company: Mining investment, mining and exploration

Date and Place of Birth: July 15, 1987, Keiskammahoek, Eastern Cape

Education: BCom (economics), BCom (Hons) (financial economics and investment management), University of the Free State, Bloemfontein

First Job: Equity analyst at a boutique private-equity firm in Johannesburg for just 12 months after university; thereafter, I went the entrepreneurial route and founded Horomela

Number of People under Your Leadership: 16

Management Style: Flexible, accommodative and firm

Personal Best Achievement: The best is yet to come

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Luvuyo Mngxaso

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: No particular person has directly influenced me; I have had to learn on my own along the way

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Shoprite Holdings controlling shareholder Christo Wiese

Philosophy of Life: Hard work, education and being street smart are the ultimate ingredients for sustained success

Biggest Ever Opportunity: None comes to mind

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I choose to live a positive and optimistic life. I do not get disappointed easily; therefore, I do not recall any ‘biggest’ disappointment

Hope for the Future: Economic freedom and prosperity for all South African citizens

Favourite Reading: In Black & White: The Jake White Story

Favourite TV Programme: The Blacklist

Favourite Food/Drink: Grilled chicken, veggies, gravy and rice/lemon-flavoured iced tea (Lipton brand)

Favourite Music: I listen to hip-hop and rap music

Favourite Sport: Cricket, rugby and football

Hobbies: I play indoor cricket, soccer and touch rugby. I love dining in seafood restaurants, watching movies, watching franchise and test rugby matches at the stadium and mountain climbing

Car: Private car

Pets: I have two Jack Russells

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonest and unreliable people

Married: Single

Children: None

Clubs: None