Jacob Mothomogolo

10th May 2013 By: Natalie Greve - Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

Full Name: Jacob Mothomogolo

Position: Projects executive at Wesizwe Platinum

Main Activity of the Company: Wesizwe is a junior platinum group metals mining company that is currently developing its anchor project, the Bakubung platinum mine

Date and Place of Birth: March 28, 1972, Pretoria

Education: BSc (mining engineering), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits); MEng, University of Pretoria

First Job: Graduate trainee at AngloGold Ashanti in Welkom in 1995

Size of First Pay Packet: R4 500 a month

Value of Assets under Your Control: R1-billion (project capital cost expended to date)

Number of People under Your Leadership: Project team inclusive 82

Management Style: Consultative but decisive

Personal Best Achievement: The Wesizwe Platinum project. I have been involved in the project from the feasibility stage through to construction and development. It has been eight years and we are still counting

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Many in my family but mostly my late father

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Mzamani Mdaka (a close friend and mentor); Alan Clegg (my boss when I first joined an engineering consulting firm, TWP Projects)

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Patrice Motsepe; Nigel Townshend (founder and CEO of TWP Projects)

Philosophy of Life: All of us are part of a greater human society/ system, and any positive contribution one can add will lead to a greater achievement for all

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Securing a bursary from Anglo American to study for a BSc (mining engineering) degree at Wits

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Do not have any that I can easily remember

Hope for the Future: That South Africa uses its immense human resource potential to develop and grow the economy for the benefit of all

Favourite Reading: Finance and engineering magazines and biographies

Favourite TV Programme: News, sports and cooking channels – if I have to watch TV with my wife

Favourite Food/Drink: Red wine and a thick cut steak grilled. Recently, I have taken a liking to Chinese dishes

Favourite Music: World music – I grew up listening to all genres

Favourite Sport: Soccer and cricket (short forms)

Hobbies: Travelling and having a braai with my youngest daughter

Car: German engineered

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Ignorant and arrogant people

Married: To Zandile

Children: Khensani, 16; Ngwako, 10; Modjadji, 5

Clubs: None