Full Name: Mesela Nhlapo
Position: CEO of the RailRoad Association
Main Activity of the Company: The RailRoad Association is a nonprofit company established as a public–private partnership between South African business and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to ensure the rightful place for rail as an effective mode of transport in integrating the African continent
Date and Place of Birth: November 1, 1977, KwaThema, Springs
Education: BCom (marketing) and LLB, University of South Africa
First Job: Quality control manager at Protec Galvanizers
Size of First Pay Packet: A little bit more would have helped
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: 18 employees
Management Style: Transformational and strategic leadership
Personal Best Achievement: Reviving the RailRoad Association
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother, Mahlodi Kope
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Chiboni Evans and Oswald Biribauer
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Dorothy Mofomme, Teddy Daka, Patrice Motsepe, Aliko Dangote and Somizi Mhlongo
Philosophy of Life: I did not come here to participate; I came here to change the game
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being brought up by strong black women
Biggest Ever Disappointment: None
Hope for the Future: A world-class rail infrastructure that crisscrosses Africa – an Africa whose development is driven by African people, especially its women and youth
Favourite Reading: The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli
Favourite TV Programme: Blacklist, The Fixer and Shameless
Favourite Food/Drink: Mogodu
Favourite Music: Reggae, kwaito and RnB
Favourite Sport: Golf
Hobbies: Reading
Car: Only the best!
Pets: A cat
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Laziness
Married: To Sikanisi Nhlapo
Children: Langelihle, 15; Olufemi, 11
Clubs: None