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