Full Name: Tebogo Isaac Tshabalala
Position: GM and director of Gold One International
Main Activity of the Company: Gold mining
Date and Place of Birth: January 6, 1967, Bothaville, in the Free State
Education: BTech (mining), University of Johannesburg; MBA, University of KwaZulu-Natal; mine overseer's and mine manager’s certificates of competence
First Job: Learner miner, Vaal Reefs gold mine
Size of First Pay Packet: R1 200 a month
Value of Assets under Your Control: $150-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 2 780 employees, of whom 2 300 are employed by the mine and 480 are contractors
Management Style: Open-door, ownership and accountability, and results-driven
Personal Best Achievement: Getting married to 'Mama'
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My late mother, Rebecca
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Izak Marais, former COO of Gold One Group
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: No one in particular, but I appreciated every opportunity to meet very influential and successful leaders, such as Thabo Mbeki and Patrice Motsepe
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Jack Welsh, former CEO of General Electric
Philosophy of Life: Life owes nothing to anyone; we all must take full advantage of every opportunity that life presents and give it our best, even if no one notices
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being appointed mine manager at Modder East Operations
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Being a mine manager without a mine to run, at Lonmin
Hope for the Future: That my children become successful; a fruitful retirement
Favourite Reading: In a Different Time, by Peter Harris; Sunday Times
Favourite TV Programme: eNCA; sports channels
Favourite Food/Drink: Tripe, oxtail/single-malt whisky
Favourite Music: Jazz, gospel and deep house
Favourite Sport: Soccer
Hobbies: Taking the car to the carwash and reading the newspaper while I wait; socialising with friends and colleagues
Car: BMW X5, Toyota Hilux
Pets: Gold fish
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who connive, deceive and lie, because I am the complete opposite
Married: To Elizabeth
Children: Refilwe, 19; Kamohelo, 17; Paballo, 9
Clubs/Organisation Membership: The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Association of Mine Managers South Africa