Full Name: Mike Begg

Position: Operations director and GM of Vantage Goldfields

Main Activity of the Company: Vantage Goldfields is engaged in the mining and exploration of gold, producing positive cash flow from two shallow, underground operations, Lily and the Barbrook mining complex, in the Barberton area

Date and Place of Birth: October 5, 1962, Johannesburg – but I lived and attended school in Zimbabwe until I was 18

Education: BSc (Hons) (Geology), 1987, University of Cape Town

First Job: In mining – exploration geologist for Gencor – Penge/Msauli Mines

Size of First Pay Packet: Too little . . . I think it was about R2 000

Value of Assets under Your Control: It depends on share price, but it is currently about A$57-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: About 850, including contractors

Management Style: Totally transparent and collaborative, fair and consistent. I manage by walk-about

Personal Best Achievement: Being a father

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: There are many people who have influenced the various aspects of my life – from spiritual to academic and my career. I am blessed with many close friends and mentors

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My geologist father and my two senior directors, Mike McChesney and Dr Willo Stear

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: The relevant African National Congress leaders, to impress on them how necessary junior mining is to contributing to a prosperous future for this country

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Barack Obama and John Maxwell

Philosophy of Life: Live for the moment and treat all people equally

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Having the chance within my chequered career to work in a number of countries and meet some amazing people

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Witnessing my father’s failing health

Hope for the Future: That our country and leadership stop being so short-term focused and build for the future. We have enormous talent and potential

Favourite Reading: Detective stories and autobiographies

Favourite TV Programme: NCIS, Suits and Blue Bloods

Favourite Food/Drink: I love pork and a good whisky . . . or two

Favourite Music: Worship and 80s, especially Dire Straits

Favourite Sport: Squash and golf

Hobbies: Outdoor, reading, people, music, playing the guitar

Car: Toyota Fortuner

Pets: Two dachshunds and a Labrador . . . but my favourites are Ridgebacks

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Theft, corruption and lack of awareness of those around you

Married: To Anne, for nearly 27 years

Children: Katy, 20; Ryan, 16

Clubs: Health and Racquet and Nelspruit Golf