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