Full Name: Andries Johannes van Heerden
Position: CEO of Afrimat
Main Activity of the Company: Openpit mining and quarrying
Date and Place of Birth: November 14, 1965, Randfontein, Gauteng
Education: BEng (mechanical), Potchefstroom University; MBA, Stellenbosch University
First Job: Engineer-in-training, Iscor Mining
Size of First Pay Packet: R2 300 a month
Value of Assets under Your Control: The company has a market capitalisation of R2.7-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: About 2 300 people
Management Style: I believe in creating an environment where good people can excel because they understand what needs to be achieved and have the freedom to contribute fully, while accepting accountability
Personal Best Achievement: The formation and subsequent growth of Afrimat
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Laurie Korsten and Matie von Wielligh
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Angela Merkel
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: The RMB trio of GT Ferreira, Laurie Dippenaar and Paul Harris
Philosophy of Life: I believe that there is always an abundance of opportunities, that there is immense power in teamwork and that you should never give up
Biggest Ever Opportunity: The opportunity to buy the Lancaster group in 2005, which formed part of the basis for Afrimat a year later
Biggest Ever Disappointment: My first attempt to create Afrimat failed when I was fired from Prima Quarries because the shareholders did not believe that the plan could work
Hope for the Future: That all the negatives dragging South Africa down, such as corruption and crime, can be overcome and that we will see strong leadership on all fronts, focusing on good values
Favourite Reading: Mostly nonfiction
Favourite TV Programme: I do not really watch TV
Favourite Food/Drink: A good bottle of wine, a well prepared fillet steak and good company
Favourite Music: Music of the ‘80s
Favourite Sport: Rugby
Hobbies: Farming, water-skiing, spending time with my family
Car: Porsche
Pets: Dogs
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Negative people, especially those who sit on the sidelines while criticising those who are trying to make a difference
Married: To Maryke – she has been my support for more than 26 years
Children: Andre, 22; Liezl, 20; Anja, 15
Clubs: None