Full Name: Albertus Abraham van den Berg
Position and Company Name: Group mining engineer, Pan African Resources
Main Activity of the Company: Gold mining
Date and Place of Birth: February 13, 1984, Sannieshof, North West
Education: BSc (mining engineering)
First Job: Learner official
Size of First Pay Packet: R2 300 a month
Career Path to Date: Learner official; miner; shift boss; mine captain; mining engineer: strategic and long-term planning; mine manager (3.1); GM (4.1); group mining engineer (2A – 2)
Value of Assets under Your Control: R4-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 3 500
Management Style: I influence and motivate, and make the tough calls, where required
Personal Best Achievement: I built an extremely successful team as a mine manager, which achieved production and safety records
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents and family
People Who Have Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Jaco Combrink, Jan Thirion, Mark Munroe, Charl Viljoen, Mike da Costa, Jonathan Hudson, Ben Moolman, Cobus Loots, Andre van den Bergh (I have been privileged to have worked with and to have been mentored by many great mining professionals at various stages in my career)
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Sir David Attenborough – he must have some amazing stories to tell
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Johann Rupert – an inspirational businessperson and great South African who has been successful over many years
Philosophy of Life: Get up, show up, give your best
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being awarded a bursary to study mining after school and leaving a career in line management to join Pan African Resources in a more executive role
Biggest Ever Disappointment: When my father’s bone marrow transplant was not successful
Hope for the Future: Good health and happiness
Favourite Reading: Daily newspaper
Favourite TV Programme: Anything on Supersport or Discovery Channel
Favourite Food/Drink: Lamb tjops on the braai with a good red wine
Favourite Music: It depends on my mood
Favourite Sport: Golf (to play) and rugby (to watch)
Hobbies: Golf
Car: BMW 5.30d
Pets: Three Yorkshire terriers
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogance and dishonesty
Married: To Meagan
Children: None
Clubs: Parkview Golf Club, Parkhurst Tennis Club