Full Name: Philip Kotze
Position: CEO of Wits Gold since August 1, 2011
Main Activity of Company: Gold exploration and mine development
Date and Place of Birth: May 18, 1960, Citrusdal, Western Cape
Education: National higher diploma in metalliferous mining, Witwatersrand Tecknikon; graduate diploma in engineering, University of the Witwatersrand
First Job: Learner official, Anglovaal Mining, 1981
Size of First Pay Packet: R635 a month
Value of Assets under Your Control: The market capitalisation of Wits Gold is $30-million
Number of People Under Your Leadership: 20
Management Style: Participative
Career Path: Thirty two years in mining; moved up ranks from shift boss and mine overseer to mine manager, AngloGold Ashanti, 1996; as GM, oversaw building and commissioning of Kalahari Goldridge openpit operation, which Harmony Gold acquired in 2000; integrated into Harmony executive team as operations director; formed Deloitte South Africa mining advisory business, 2006; served as CEO of Anooraq Resources from 2008 to 2011
Personal Best Achievement: Helicopter pilot licence
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: I have been fortunate to work with great people through my career and many of them helped to shape my own personal career
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Adam Fleming. He is successful, inspiring, sincere and humble
Philosophy of Life: Never stop fighting for what is right and never compromise your moral standards and values
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Leaving a major company with significant stability in 1996 to become part of a team that built a junior mining company from scratch. It taught me to believe in myself and in the people around me
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not being able to turn certain mines around quickly enough to prevent their closure
Hope For the Future: We have fantastic people in South Africa and I am inspired by the attitude, ambition and drive of our youth
Favourite Reading: Anything on new technology
Favourite TV Programme: Rugby takes first preference
Favourite Food/Drink: Meat for mains and chicken for vegetables (anything really . . . as long as there is meat in it). Drink – Jameson whisky
Favourite Music: Sting, Annie Lennox, the Eagles, ELO
Favourite Sport: Rugby
Hobbies: Hunting and new technology
Car: BMW
Pets: Three dogs
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Negative people
Married: To Christa
Children: Philip Jnr, 28; Christo, 25; Jaco, 23
Clubs: Golf