Full Name: Nicolaas Daniel Lombard Burger

Position: MD of CMTI Consulting and CMT Mining Manufacturing

Main Activity of the Company: Design, consulting and manufacturing of new-generation mechanised equipment for the hard-rock mining industry and brake-testing equipment for trackless mobile mining machines

Date and Place of Birth: June 6, 1961, Bloemfontein

Education: BEng (mechanical), 1985; MEng (mechanical), 1994; PhD (mechanical engineering), 2006; government certificate of competence, 1989

First Job: Millwright artisan at Iscor Pretoria Works

Size of First Pay Packet: R320

Number of People Under Your Leadership: 20 employees

Management Style: People must shoulder their own responsibility and grow

Personal Best Achievement: Obtaining my PhD and numerous design awards, as well as the Arsmcor Chairperson’s AwardPerson

Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Professor Eugene Fourie and At von Wielligh

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Anton Rupert

Philosophy of Life: Live life to the full and develop your potential

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being involved in the development of the next generation of mechanised equipment, which can make a real difference in the mining industry

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing my wife and best friend at a young age

Hope for the Future: That we can re-establish South Africa as the leading mining country in the world

Favourite Reading: Christian inspirational literature

Favourite TV Programme: Blue Bloods

Favourite Food/Drink: Energade

Favourite Music: Classical music

Favourite Sport: Rugby

Hobbies: My work

Car: Mercedes-Benz ML500

Pets: Two Swiss shepherds, two Bouvier Yorkies, two dachshunds and a parrot – without my dogs, I would die

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonest and insincere people

Married: To Estelle

Children: Lombard, 29; Mirie, 25; Lisa, 9

Clubs: The club of life