Full Name: Muthanyi Robinson Ramaite
Position: Nonexecutive chairperson of JSE-listed Wescoal, deputy CEO of United Manganese of Kalahari (UMK) and chairperson of Simeka Group
Main Activity of the Company: Coal mining and trading, manganese mining
Date and Place of Birth: March 7, 1969, Elim, Venda, South Africa
Education: BJuris, University of the North; master’s degree in public and development management, University of the Witwatersrand, 1992; Young Managers Programme, Insead, 2001
First Job: Policy analyst, Centre for Education Policy Development, 1992
Size of First Pay Packet: R4 000
Value of Company Assets: Wescoal has a market capital-isation of R150-million, UMK and Simeka are unlisted
Number of People under Your Leadership: Wescoal 250; UMK 100; Simeka 10
Management Style: Conceptualising operations and leaving them in the hands of competent managers
Personal Best Achievement: Watching my children grow up as responsible young adults
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Oliver Tambo
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Carl Icahn
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Carl Icahn
Philosophy of Life: Education is a lifelong and worthy investment
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being director-general of the Department of Public Service and Administration in President Thabo Mbeki’s first administration, from 1999 to 2003
Biggest Ever Disappointment: The loss of my parents
Hope for the Future: We need more young people to invest in their education
Favourite Reading: Biographies of icons of business
Favourite TV Programme: General news, business news, documentaries
Favourite Food/Drink: Meat/water
Favourite Music: Local jazz
Favourite Sport: Soccer, golf
Hobbies: Golf
Car: Range Rover Sport
Pets: A parrot named Linkie
Dislikes: Uneducated and lazy people
Married: To Thendo
Children: Fana, 16; Naki, 12; Mukundi, 9
Clubs: Johannesburg Country Club