Full Name: Velile Nhlapo
Position: CEO of Fraser Alexander
Main Activity of the Company: Outsource mining services across all commodities, taking in tailings management and remining, mining, material logistics, mineral processing, water management and treatment and construction
Date and Place of Birth: June 30, 1978, Diepkloof, Soweto
Education: National diploma and national higher diploma in metalliferous mining, BTech (mining engineering)
First Job: Learner official: mining, Gold Fields South Africa
Size of First Pay Packet: R2 572.52 –I remember it like yesterday
Value of Assets under Your Control: Assets valued at more than R1-billion, turnover of R2.5-billion a year and market capitalisation of R750-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 5 000
Management Style: Inclusion, a management style of taking people along
Personal Best Achievement: As production manager, managing mine costs below budget and tonnage above budget, while maintaining a good safety record; achieving the first-ever four-million fatality-free shifts at Anglo American Platinum’s Dishaba mine, the second-deepest platinum mine
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father and mother, for giving me the confidence to make my mark in life
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Too many to mention, but, most recently, people such as Steve Phiri, Mark Farren, Neil Herric and Robin Mills
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Aliko Dangote
Businesspeople Who Has Impressed You Most: Aliko Dangote and Brian Joffe
Philosophy of Life: You are what you are because of the choices you make in life – so, go on and make them
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Becoming the CEO of Fraser Alexander, which has talented employees, and knowing that I contribute to the wellbeing of the Bafokeng
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Burying one of my colleagues who was involved in an underground fatality
Hope for the Future: Africa is the future and one day we will all get our act together
Favourite Reading: The Looting Machine, by Tom Burgis
Favourite TV Programme: Nat Geo Wild (when there is time)
Favourite Food/Drink: Red wine, Merlot or Pinotage
Favourite Music: I listen to all sorts of music, depending on the mood at the time
Favourite Sport: Formula 1
Hobbies: I wish I could find something that I can master besides mining
Car: I have no attachment to cars and I change them often
Pets: None
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Two-faced people, Brutus
Clubs: None. Where is the time?