Photo by: Duane Daws
Full Name: Percival David Malunga
Position: Mine manager, Tharisa Minerals
Main Activity of the Company: Mining and beneficiation of chrome and platinum-group metals
Date and Place of Birth: July 4, 1967, Ruwangwe, Mutare, Zimbabwe
Education: BSc (mining engineering), University of Zimbabwe; several postgraduate certificates
First Job: Technical assistant, Wankie Colliery Company, Zimbabwe
Size of First Pay Packet: Z$1 400 a month – equivalent to R2 100 at the time
Value of Assets under Your Control: Market capitalisation of about R2-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: Tharisa employs 2 500 people
Management Style: Situation based
Personal Best Achievement: Leading the production team that achieved first annual target (incidentally, I managed this on two operations)
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother – she taught me to respect even those that hate or appear to hate me
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: AJ Murdoch Eaton; he taught me ATD (attention to detail)
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Donald Trump; I want first-hand experience – is he as bad as people say?
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Loucas Pouroulis
Philosophy of Life: You live only once; therefore, LIVE
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Receiving an Anglo scholarship to study at university in 1988 (saved my father from the financial responsibility)
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Missing out on ‘best pupil’ achievement (this happened in only one term in the seven years I was at primary school – I still remember it)
Hope for the Future: Running a mine I call mine
Favourite Reading: Technical journals and real estate books
Favourite TV Programme: Sport and African movies
Favourite Food/Drink: Sadza and nyama (pap and stew) and Bells whisky diluted with soda water
Favourite Music: Sungura music
Favourite Sport: Soccer and rugby (watching)
Hobbies: A bit of squash and watching soccer
Car: Mercedes-Benz (ML320 and E250) – my wife drives a C200
Pets: Dogs – boerboel and bull terrier
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Not giving 100% or more in whatever I or other people do
Married: To Priscah
Children: Shanice, 16
Clubs: Magalies Park