Full Name: Ambrose Vusumuzi Richard Mabena

Position: Senior executive: transformation and stakeholder relations, Chamber of Mines of South Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Lobby and advocacy role on behalf of members of the Chamber of Mines of South Africa

Date and Place of Birth: I was born 59 years ago, in Benoni

Education: BA, BA (Hons), postgraduate diploma in management, master’s degree in management

First Job: Teacher at a secondary school in Daveyton, on Gauteng’s East Rand

Size of First Pay Packet: R166 a month

Value of Assets under Your Control: As a strategic lobbyist, I do not control any physical or large monetary assets, but my role has a significant impact on the industry, with specific reference to policy and legislation

Number of People under Your Leadership: Eight

Management Style: Participatory

Personal Best Achievement: My academic qualifications, career achievements and family achievements

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My late mentor, Bethuel Maupa, who was a teacher and inspector of schools in career guidance

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: A white Afrikaner artisan whose name I have forgotten. He said to me: “Jy sê jy het matriek maar jy kan nie dink nie.” I was doing vacation work after completing matric, and that is when I told myself that I was going to work hard to be better than an artisan in my life

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Jack Welsh

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Jabu Mabuza

Philosophy of Life: Humble yourself; listen to and learn from others in order to grow, both intellectually and emotionally

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Getting a job as a management development consultant at Absa Bank during the amalgamation of five banks

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not pursuing my PhD when I was admitted onto the programme

Hope for the Future: Even when I know I will die tomorrow, I will still plant my apple tree today. I am looking forward to a bright self-employment career after my professional work life

Favourite Reading: Leadership books

Favourite TV Programme: Reality TV programmes that promote achievement and entertainment; music reality shows

Favourite Food/Drink: Phuthu pap and sour milk

Favourite Music: Contemporary jazz

Favourite Sport: As a township boy, soccer is my most favourite sport

Hobbies: Reading, game watching and coaching young children

Car: Lexus

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Noise

Married: To Mamo

Children: Nontuthuko and Nomuzi

Clubs: A family social club called Zakheni Family Society