Full Name: Louis Frederick Jacobus Meiring
Position: CEO of Zest WEG Group Africa
Main Activity of the Company: Designing, manufacturing, sales and installation of electrical products and solutions
Place of Birth: Johannesburg
Education: Electrical engineering
First Job: Electrical apprentice
Career History Prior to Current Position: I spent nine years at General Electric Corporation
Size of first Pay Packet: R400 a month
First Job with Present Group: Technical sales engineer, October 1991
Number of People under your Leadership: 700
Management Style: Open-door and participative
Personal Best Achievement: A wonderful young lady who’s my daughter
Professional Best Achievement: Being appointed CEO of Zest WEG Group Africa
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife, Pamela
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: James Blakemore, former chairperson of Zest and a very good friend
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Bill Gates
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Eggon Joao da Silva, founder member of WEG Group
Philosophy of Life: Work very hard but have balance
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Joining Zest WEG Group Africa
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Our country not getting a grip on crime and corruption
Hope for the Future: A crime-free South Africa that is economically and politically stable
Favourite Reading: Business-related material
Favourite TV Programme: History channel, Discovery channel and anything about classic cars
Favourite Food/Drink: Grilled fish/cold beer
Favourite Music: 50s and 60s
Favourite Sport: Golf
Favourite Website: Google
Hobbies: Golf and classic cars
Car: Land Rover
Pets: Two Yorkshire terriers that do not know they are dogs
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty and noncommitment
Favourite Other South African Company: Sasol
Favourite Foreign Company: Apple
Married: To Pamela, since 1988
Children: Daughter, Samantha
Clubs: Country Club Johannesburg, KPT