Full Name: Frederick Sam Arendse

Position: CEO of SSC Group

Main Activity of the Company: SSC Group is a diversified operating minerals and investment company

Date and Place of Birth: I was born in small ‘township’ called Tulbagh, in the Western Cape

Education: Four-year degree in business management and human resources, University of South Africa; MDP, University of the Witwatersrand; national diploma, Cape Peninsula University of Technology

First Job: Apart from selling vetkoek and koeksisters door-to-door for my mother to raise money for the church when I was growing up, my student job was grease attendant at the Sapco factory, in Tulbagh

Size of First Pay Packet: Student job in Sapco factory at R110 a week; my first corporate pay cheque was R3 321 a month

Value of Assets under Your Control: We are still building value as a private company

Number of People under Your Leadership: Direct reports (executive committee) – seven; employees – 220, and growing

Management Style: Direct; empowering; accountability; and delivery

Personal Best Achievement: My eagle family of four (my wife and two supportive, respectful children)

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My late parents and God

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Phil Rooke, business manager (my boss at Anglo American Platinum)

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Barrack Obama

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Ivan Glasenberg

Philosophy of Life: Always be humble, make a difference and work hard; soar like an eagle

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being unfairly fired by Anglo American Platinum (I won the case and cleared my name), being the youngest on the Patterson band and Anglo American and one of only a few of the best performers at Anglo American Platinum's head office at the time. The situation forced me to start my own business and invest my entire Anglo Platinum pension money into my startup business

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Being unfairly fired by Anglo American Platinum

Hope for the Future: Growing the mining industry, providing leadership in the mining industry and adding value to my circle of influence, our communities and ultimately our country

Favourite Reading: Business and mining magazines and global news and articles

Favourite TV Programme: Billions

Favourite Food/Drink: My wife’s cooking; I drink anything but alcohol

Favourite Music: All types

Favourite Sport: Formula 1 Motorsport

Hobbies: Walking and watching Discovery channel

Car: Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG

Pets: English bulldog, Princeton

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogant and dishonest people

Married: To Kaylene, for 22 years

Children: My daughter, Lisa-lou, and my son, Worgan-lee

Clubs: Supercar Club