Full Name: Lindiwe Nakedi

Position: MD, Gubhani Exploration

Main Activity of the Company: Surface exploration, diamond drilling and geotechnical drilling and investigations

Date and Place of birth: May 20, 1981, Soweto

Education: BA (majoring in industrial psychology and philosophy), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits); New Managers Programme, Wits Business School; Introduction to Mining Engineering (Incomplete), Wits

First Job: Researcher and recruiter, Tech-Pro Personnel

Size of First Pay Packet: R2 500 a month

Value of Assets under Your Control: About R8-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 13 employees

Management Style: Collaborative and mentorship style of leadership

Personal Best Achievement: Making the list of the top 100 global inspirational women in mining in 2018 and successfully chairing Women in Mining South Africa for the 2017 to 2018 period. The organisation has registered growth in membership and concluded vital partnerships that will see it become an influential part of the mining industry to drive diversity and equality

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My husband – he really inspires me to be the best version of myself (after God, of course)

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: There are quite a few people, but in the past year, I would say my personal coach, Briony Liber, who has been a great sounding board and helped me to challenge myself beyond what I thought was possible

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Michelle Obama – I like the fact that she seems so comfortable in her own skin and I also love her graciousness and humility

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Daphne Mashile-Nkosi and Dr Precious Motsepe

Philosophy of Life: God first and everything else will follow – without God, I am nothing

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being asked to serve on a transformation trust to make a difference in mining communities. I believe all organisations should have sustainable development as one of their main goals as they conduct their business

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Working on a project where people put their egos first instead of getting work done, causing my company to lose money

Hope for the Future: Growth of our company so that we can offer mining services we do not currently offer

Favourite Reading: Becoming, by Michelle Obama

Favourite TV Programme: I do not have anything I follow religiously

Favourite Food/Drink: Sushi and seafood/pink lemonade

Favourite Music: Any type of music that speaks to my soul

Favourite Sport: Love watching soccer and, lately, I swim

Hobbies: Cooking and baking; dance (ballet)

Car: Porsche

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: I do not like feeling that I have an obligation to do something for someone – I love doing things for others just because I want to, not because I have to

Married: To Tlhaloso Nakedi for 13 years

Children: Galalelo, 11; Boiketlo, 8; Mpho-Lerato, 1

Clubs: None