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