Full Name: Henry Charles Hoffman
Position: Mbuyelo Coal COO and Vlarkvarkfontein mine CEO
Main Activity of the Company: Coal mining and marketing
Date and Place of Birth: April 1, 1967, Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal
Education: Bachelor of Mining Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg; Master of Business Administration, Henley Business School
First Job: Learner miner at Trans-Natal Coal’s Matla colliery
Size of First Pay Packet: About R1 200 a month
Value of Assets under Your Control: About R1-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: About 1 500
Management Style: Participative, as I like to get different inputs and provide people with freedom to operate
Personal Best Achievement: My family and keeping fit
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Hugh Stoyell
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Rirhandzu Owner Siweya
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela, if he were still alive
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Clinton Ephron
Philosophy of Life: Let the sun shine over everybody’s heads – that is, judge everyone favourably
Biggest Ever Opportunity: My current position
Biggest Ever Disappointment: The way change was implemented at one of the companies I worked for previously
Hope for the Future: That Mbuyelo Coal goes from strength to strength and that South Africa changes for the better
Favourite Reading: John Grisham, Wilbur Smith and Deon Meyer
Favourite TV Programme: House
Favourite Food/Drink: I am not a big eater, but I enjoy having the odd cold drink
Favourite Music: I like various types of music, including country, classical and old-school rock
Favourite Sport: Motor sports
Hobbies: Hunting, watching films, going to the shooting range and vacationing with my family
Car: BMW M4
Pets: English bulldog
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogance and people who refuse to learn new things and appreciate the importance of diversity
Married: To Twanette
Children: Two boys aged 24 and 5 and two girls aged 23 and 20
Clubs: The Harley-Davidson Club of South Africa