Full Name: Phuti Mahanyele
Position: CEO of Shanduka Group since 2010 and also deputy chairperson of Pan African Resources and nonexecutive director of Lonmin
Main Activities of Shanduka Group: Mining (coal, platinum, gold, diamonds), energy, financial services, telecommunications, food and beverage, property and industrial
Date and Place of Birth: March 15, 1971, Soweto, Johannesburg
Education: McAuley House Convent, Johannesburg, matric, 1988; Rutgers University, BA (Econ), 1993; De Montfort University, Leicester, UK, MBA on the Impact of International Trade on Black Economic Empowerment, 1996; Kennedy School of Government, Executive Education Programme, Harvard University, 2008
First Job: National Sorghum Breweries, 1993
Size of First Pay Packet: I cannot remember
Previous Positions: Shanduka Energy MD, 2004; VP, Fieldstone, New York, 1997 to 2004; head: project finance South Africa business unit, Development Bank of Southern Africa
Value of Assets under Your Control: R8-billion on a net asset value basis
Number of People under Your Leadership: Nearly 12 000 in the businesses the group controls
Management Style: Enabling and empowering
Personal Best Achievement: Young people that I support and mentor
Professional Best Achievement: I was very surprised by my nomination in 2008 as one of the Wall Street Journal’s Top 50 Women in the World to Watch
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father, the late Mohale Mahanyele, cofounder of National Sorghum Breweries
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Cyril Ramaphosa
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela, again
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Cyril Ramaphosa
Philosophy of Life: The least every single person can do is to make sure that they are using their skills to make a significant contribution to society
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Joining Shanduka
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not joining Shanduka earlier
Hope for the Future: The growth of black-owned companies into sustainable businesses that contribute significantly to society; that South Africa deals with the unemployment and skilling issues that today’s youth are facing
Favourite Reading: Business and management literature
Favourite TV Programme: eNews Channel and Al Jazeera
Favourite Food/Drink: Samp and a nice stew in winter, and salad and chicken in summer. I do not have a favourite drink
Favourite Music: I listen to a wide genre of music from jazz to ballads
Favourite Sport: I used to run 10 km a week regularly, but I’m not exercising the way I used to
Hobbies: Reading, particularly when I am flying, or watching movies, also while flying. I fly regularly because we have partners in China and the US and a lot happens in London
Pets: None
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Laziness and bad attitudes
Married: I am not married
Children: None
Clubs: Johannesburg Country Club