Full Name: Bhekinkosi Elias Khumalo

Position: Executive director of China African Precious Metals (CAPM)

Main Activity of the Company: Gold mining

Date and Place of Birth: May 3, 1967, Inchanga, KwaZulu-Natal

Education: Fredville Primary School; Siphesihle High School, Inchanga, matric, 1987; BCom, University of South Africa (Unisa)

First Job: Gardener for the Ric-Hansen family of Gillitts, who paid my high school and Unisa fees and got me my first formal job at Soils Design Laboratories, Westmead (Pinetown), and thereafter at Bushco Engineering, in Krugersdorp, without expecting anything in return

Size of First Pay Packet: At Bushco, R250 a week after overtime

Value of Assets under Your Control: Orkney Gold Mine’s book value is R1-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: 200

Management Style: Engaging

Personal Best Achievement: Paying attention to the finer details

People Who Have Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: King Shaka Zulu, the first African king to appoint a woman (Mkabayi ka Jama) to head a regiment, and President Jacob Zuma

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Patrick Ric-Hanse

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Abraham Lincoln

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Patrice Motsepe

Philosophy of Life: Never take life too seriously because you will never get out alive anyway

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Pengxin Group’s South African agricultural initiative with BEK Holdings

Biggest Ever Disappointment: The African National Congress’s performance thus far, but I am optimistic of a turnaround

Hope for the Future: That South Africa will one day be the greatest country in the world

Favourite Reading: The Art of War, by Sun Tzu

Favourite TV Programme: Homeland

Favourite Food/Drink: Pap/phuthu and maas/magewu

Favourite Music: Classical

Favourite Sport: Socce

Hobbies: Walking and running

Car: Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Pets: Cows, chickens and dogs

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Negative attitudes

Married: To Thoko (née Zulu)

Children: Akhona, 16; Akwade, 14; Anande, 14; Abelwe,

Clubs: I hate clubs