Full Name: Sitembele Mase

Position: CEO of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC)

Main Activity of the Company: Economic development, investments and finance in the Eastern Cape

Date and Place of Birth: 20 August, Quthubeni, Engcobo

Education: MBL, University of South Africa (Unisa) School of Business Leadership, 2000; postgraduate certificate in investments, ethics and portfolio management, Unisa, 2003

First Job: Teacher, Jalamba High School, Elliotdale, 1980

Career History Prior to Current Position: CEO of the South African Micro-Finance Apex Fund, 2006 to 2010; executive director of the National Urban, Reconstruction and Housing Agency, 2001 to 2006; GM: operations, Mine Workers Development Agency, 1998 to 2001

Size of First Pay Packet: R59 a month

First Job with Present Group: CEO

Value of Assets under Your Control: R2.3-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: 167

Management Style: Situational, leading from behind and leading from the front, when required

Personal Best Achievement: Receiving a group award as the third-best MBL students

Professional Best Achievement: Establishing a new microfinance developmental wholesale fund in South Africa

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My brother, Nzuzo, my late father and my uncle, SA Xobololo

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: GM Makasi, MMM Swana and M Damane

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: President Robert Mugabe

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Phutuma Nhleko

Philosophy of Life: Be fair to people, but firm on principle

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Meeting the mayor of London, Sir Francis McWilliams, in 1992

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Emerging greed and entitlement in our society

Hope for the Future: That barriers to education are broken down for children

Favourite Reading: Power Systems, by Noam Chomsky

Favourite TV Programme: WWE Smackdown

Favourite Food/Drink: Seafood/hot water with fresh lemon

Favourite Music: Jazz (classical, international and African)

Favourite Sport: I used to be a boxer, before turning to martial arts. I also enjoy watching soccer

Favourite Website: Not stated

Hobbies: Listening to and analysing jazz, and jogging

Car: Dodge Nitro

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Greed, gossip and back stabbing

Favourite Other South African Company: Discovery

Favourite Foreign Company: Van Heusen

Married: To Nomsa, since June 10, 2005

Children: Sandisiwe, 34; Sivuyisiwe, 29; Athenkosi, 24; Sakhisizwe, 23 and Abongile, 18

Clubs: None