Full Name: Dr Thabo Clifford Kgogo

Position: CEO of SacOil Holdings, which is listed on the JSE and the London Aim

Main Activity of the Company: SacOil is an oil and gas operator

Date and Place of Birth: April 14, 1976, Mafikeng, North West, South Africa

Education: BSc (chemical engineering), University of Cape Town; MSc (petroleum engineering), University of London; and PhD (petroleum engineering), Imperial College, London

First Job: Graduate metallurgist with De Beers at onshore and offshore diamond mining operations

Size of First Pay Packet: If I remember correctly, the take-home amount was about R5 000 a month

Value of Assets Under Your Control: R850-million market capitalisation

Number of People Under Your Leadership: SacOil employs 25 people

Management Style: Consultative – but there are times when, as CEO, I have to make immediate decisions in the interests of the company

Personal Best Achievement: Graduating with a PhD was a huge achievement, especially since I was able to get it in just four years; being appointed CEO of SacOil Holdings

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: There are many but, educationally, my PhD supervisor, Professor Alain Gringarten, was a mentor, and not only a PhD supervisor. My wife has also been a pillar of strength and has supported me throughout all my endeavours

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: SacOil Holdings chairperson Tito Mboweni, because his business acumen is incredible

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Barak Obama, Aliko Dangote and Patrice Motsepe

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: FirstRand CEO Sizwe Nxasana.

Philosophy of Life: Be principled and guard your reputation jealously. Enjoy life and live it to the full, especially the time you have with family and friends

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being appointed CEO of SacOil Holdings

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not achieving all the aims and targets that I had set for myself and the company while I was working at PetroSA

Hope for the Future: That South Africa takes advantage of its natural resources, that we move beyond our current low growth rate to between 4% and 5% a year, that SacOil continues to grow its operational footprint throughout Africa and that we start paying dividends to our shareholders

Favourite Reading: Autobiographies of South African and other African leaders

Favourite TV Programme: Local and international soccer games

Favourite Food/Drink: South African cuisine, such as pap ‘n vleis with gravy

Favourite Music: Kwaito and house music

Favourite Sport: Soccer

Hobbies: Travelling with my family

Car: An old Land Rover

Pets: A Maltese, which we call Bubbles

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty

Married: To Thandiwe

Children: A 13-year-old daughter and a four-year-old son

Clubs: None