Full Name: Taelo Mojapelo

Position and Company Name: CEO of bp Southern Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Energy supply

Date and Place of Birth: December 29

Schools and Tertiary Education: University of Natal, Cambridge University and the Gordon Institute of Business Science

First Job: Management trainee at South African Breweries

Size of First Pay Packet: I cannot remember, but it was not too bad

Career Path to Date: I worked as a scientist and then as a supply chain expert developing supply chains in Africa, before embarking on the leadership journey – it continues

Value of Assets under Your Control: Market capitalisation of about R21-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: 800 employees

Management Style: I am a coach who believes in getting people to explore their potential while fostering collaboration. We have different strengths, and we can only do better if we leverage them

Personal Best Achievement: I can tell you a lot about my academic and career successes but these are meaningless if you are lonely, so I guess it’s obvious what I value the most – my family

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My sons – I have always made career choices with them in mind. I never want to have personal life regrets after my working career

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: I had always wished to meet Maya Angelou but that’s not possible anymore

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Nolitha Fakude – she is bold and calm, yet very resolute in what she sets out to achieve. I first encountered her when I read her book, Boardroom Dancing, and I was immediately drawn to the character

Philosophy of Life: We learn from failure – fear of failure robs you of the opportunity to be bold and courageous

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Leading in a crisis – at the helm of an organisation in the middle of the Covid pandemic and when crude prices were at all-time lows

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I have had so many in life, some personal, and I have also been disappointed by people – essentially making the wrong choices of association

Hope for the Future: A society that is more inclusive and at peace

Favourite Reading: Surrounded by Idiots, by Thomas Erikson – but I must say the small book titled Who Moved My Cheese? changed my perspective on many issues

Favourite TV Programme: You won’t believe it, but I get lost in Mzansi Magic dramas to get into another world

Favourite Food/Drink: South African traditional dishes with a good red wine

Favourite Music: I grew up in the R&B era

Favourite Sport: Netball and squash

Hobbies: Reading and watching movies

Car: That’s not important in life

Pets: Adorable but not for me

Miscellaneous Dislikes: None

Married: Yes, I am married

Children: Two boys aged 18 and 13

Clubs: None