Full Name: Wilco Uys
Position: CEO of Tshipi é Ntle Manganese Mining
Main Activity of the Company: Manganese mining
Date and Place of Birth: March 20, 1958, Kimberley
Education: BEng (mining) Hons, University of Pretoria; MBL, University of South Africa
First Job: Learner miner, Sasol Mining
Size of First Pay Packet: R179 a month
Value of Assets under Your Control: The market capitalisation of the company is R3.5-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: The company has 1000 employees, including service providers
Management Style: Participative and decisive
Personal Best Achievement: I do not take appointments, promotions or awards for granted. Each one of these is special to me. There are two, however, that stand out: a Sasol bursary to study mining engineering and my appointment as CEO
People Who Have Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My late grandmother, Nellie, my late mother, Kobie and my wife, Era
People Who Have Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: I was fortunate to have many people who took a keen interest in my career. They are my brother, Johann, Xolani Mkhwanazi, Les Weiss, Luc Sellis, Phil Crous, the late Ben Leach, Ray Mordt, Peter Rohlssen, Ben Smith and Manie Dreyer
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Vladimir Putin
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Marius Kloppers
Philosophy of Life: Life is a God-given gift that should not be wasted. Use your talents to the full, expand your circle of influence as much as possible and share your blessings with others. Leave a legacy. ‘Ora et Labora Diligenta!’
Biggest Ever Opportunity: The opportunity to successfully negotiate the current commodity slump, which, certainly, is the worst that our resources leadership generation has ever faced
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Disappointments are part of life and I have had many, some controllable and some not. I do not nurture disappointments and setbacks
Hope for the Future: A united, prosperous South Africa, where all leaders put the country and its people first
Favourite Reading: I do not read much. I rather watch documentaries on wars and military campaigns
Favourite TV Programme: Sport, Discovery Channel and History Channel
Favourite Food/Drink: I have no favourite food as we in South Africa simply have the most amazing diverse food choices in the world. Choice is determined by location and friends. To drink, I favour craft beer, whiskey and South African white wine
Favourite Music: All types of music except jazz. My favourite artists are Neil Diamond, Luciano Pavarotti (especially the DVD Duets) and Debbie Harry (Blondie)
Favourite Sports: Rugby (Blue Bulls and Springboks), cricket (Unlimited Titans and Proteas) and golf
Hobbies: Hunting, beekeeping and flying drones
Car: Toyota Land Cruiser station wagon
Pets: Two mischievous beagles
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty, arrogance and incompetence
Married: To Era, for 32 years
Children: Nadine, 27
Clubs: Bethal Golf Club