Full Name: Thabile Amanda Makgala

Position: Executive: mining, Impala Platinum Holdings (Implats)

Main Activity of the Company: Mining, processing, refining and marketing of platinum-group metals

Date and Place of Birth: March 24, Pietermaritzburg

Education: MBA, University of Stellenbosch Business School; BSc (mining engineering) (cum laude), University of the Witwatersrand

First Job: Learner official

Size of First Pay Packet: R4 000 a month

Value of Assets under Your Control: The market capitalisation of Implats is R26.72-billion

Management Style: Participative – I like to invite input from others

Personal Best Achievement: Being recognised as one of the top 100 Inspirational Women in Mining worldwide

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Nico Muller

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Thuli Madonsela

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Bridgette Radebe

Philosophy of Life: You are never too old to set another goal or have a new dream

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being elected chairperson of Women in Mining South Africa

Biggest Ever Disappointment: The increasing prevalence of violence against women and children in South Africa

Hope for the Future: That all South Africans, desiring neither power nor money but only for the good our country, sincerely come together to work for it

Favourite Reading: The Alchemist – I am currently reading Out of the Maze, by Dr Spencer Johnson

Favourite TV Programme: I do not watch much TV

Favourite Food: Lamb chops

Favourite Music: R&B

Favourite Sport: Tennis

Hobbies: Running, tennis and reading

Car: Range Rover

Pets: A Yorkshire terrier and a Pomeranian

Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who do not take responsibility for their actions

Married: To Charles Makgala

Children: Rorisang, 8; Letlotlo, 6

Associations: The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Women in Mining South Africa and the Institute of Directors in Southern Africa