Full Name: George Petrus Basson

Position: Executive chairperson, Dust-A-Side

Main Activity of the Company: Total dust management services, including dust and road management for opencast and underground mines; added-value quantification, including water savings; tyre-life improvement; improved hauling cycle time; reduced production downtime after rain; and full dust suppression services for material handling applications

Date and Place of Birth: April 13, 1952, Kuruman

Education: Hoërskool Frikkie Meyer, Thabazimbi

First Job: Insurance broker at Old Mutual

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 800 a month

Number of People under Your Leadership: 650 employees

Management Style: I lead by example

Personal Best Achievement: To get recognition with Dust-A-Side in the mining industry

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Ghandi Grobler

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Hennie Goosen

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela (if I had the opportunity) and Gary Player

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: GT Ferreira

Philosophy of Life: Life is all about people, and nothing will happen unless you make it happen

Biggest Ever Opportunity: To get Dust-A-Side working in the mining industry

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing my house in a fire

Hope for the Future: To educate people, a better economic growth and to create more job opportunities

Favourite Reading: Motoring magazines

Favourite TV Programme: Any kind of sport

Favourite Food/Drink: Kom ons braai, double J&B in a beer glass, plenty of ice and soda in a tin

Favourite Music: Jazz, classic and country, besides others

Favourite Sport: Golf

Hobbies: Restoration of motor cars

Car: Mercedes-Benzs, Alfa Romeos and a few more – old and new

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Bad service

Married: To Elza

Children: George Jnr, 36; Jackie, 33

Clubs: Mercedes-Benz Club, Fancourt, Harlequins Rugby Club, Alfa Romeo Club