Full Name: Setlogelo David Kobuoe

Position: Mine manager, Vlakfontein Coal, a subsidiary of African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation, a State-owned company

Main Activity of the Company: Coal mining, producing coal for the local thermal coal market

Date and Place of Birth: February 22, 1980, Boitelo, Free State, South Africa

Education: BSc in mining engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand, an Anglo American MDP through the Gordon Institute of Business Science, mine manager’s certificate for coal and a blasting certificate for underground coal mines. I am currently halfway through a Master in Business Administration degree, through the North-West University

First Job: Graduate mining engineer with Anglo American coal division in 2003

Size of First Pay Packet: It was about R10 000 and, at the time, it was a lot of money for me and initially I didn’t know what to do with it

Value of Assets under Your Control: About R260-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 270, including mining contractors

Management Style: Hands-on and participative, open-door policy, very firm but fair

Personal Best Achievement: Getting my mine management certificate first time round, which made me feel very special

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My science high school teacher, Sello Tiro. He really pushed me to do my best and saw talent in me when I couldn’t see it in myself. I owe much of what I have achieved to the advice that he gave me.

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Former Anglo American GM Gerhard Stenzel, who gave me my first opportunity to be a section manager in 2008 and provided me with sound advice to ensure I did my best, which I have carried with me ever since then

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: President of the US Barak Obama

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: CEO of SpaceX Elon Musk

Philosophy of Life: Do your best in whatever situation God puts you and do it with all your might

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being given the opportunity to form part of the team of young, up-and-coming South African’s to participate in government’s State-owned mining company. I feel that I have been given a unique opportunity to further the development of this great country

Biggest Ever Disappointment: None

Hope for the Future: That there is hope for every one. I hope that, with time, things change for the better for everyone in South Africa and I think that there is enough room for that in this country

Favourite Reading: Master of the Game by Sidney Sheldon

Favourite TV Programme: Top Gear

Favourite Food/Drink: African cuisine, such as pap, mageu and mabela

Favourite Music: Any nice music, particularly gospel, R&B, house and jazz

Favourite Sports: Soccer, cricket and golf

Hobbies: Reading things that improve my understanding of how the world works

Car: Mercedes-Benz CLS 500

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who are not truthful

Married: To Kgomotso since 2007

Children: Two daughters, Masego, 9; and Keleabetswe, 5

Clubs: Landau Golf Club