Full Name: Salani Sithole
Position: MD of Royal HaskoningDHV South Africa
Main Activity of the Company: Consulting engineering
Date and Place of Birth: 1961, Alexandra, Johannesburg
Education: BSc (civil engineering); MDP, Henley; EDP, University of Singapore; currently completing executive development programme with TIAS Business School in the Netherlands
First Job: Candidate engineer, Arup
Career History Prior to Current Position: City engineer for Randburg, Sandton and Alexandra; power station manager, Kriel; group operations manager: Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa
Size of First Pay Packet: R4 000 a month
First Job with Present Group: Group manager: business development, SSI Engineers & Environmental Consultants
Value of Assets under Your Control: R1-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 850
Management Style: Soft on people, hard on results
Personal Best Achievement: At the age of 18, I was one of the cofounders of the first old age home in Alexandra, in consultation with the Minister of Health and the Rotary Club
Professional Best Achievement: Being the recipient of the Energy Efficiency Award from Eskom for the optimisation of grinding media, which saved the power utility R50-million in 1999
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Community leader the Reverend Sam Buti, of the Dutch Reformed Church – he inspired people to make contributions to the community
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: David Haggie, of Haggie Rand, who inspired me to go to university and funded my education
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Bill Gates
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs
Philosophy of Life: It is important to contribute – when you leave the earth, you need to know where you added value
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Education
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not stated
Hope for the Future: Zero deaths on our roads
Favourite Reading: Varied
Favourite TV Programme: Mega Structures
Favourite Food/Drink: Rib-eye steak and red wine
Favourite Music: Classical
Favourite Sport: Soccer
Favourite Website: Not stated
Hobbies: Golf
Car: Jeep
Pets: None
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Reckless drivers
Favourite Other South African Company: The South African National Roads Agency
Favourite Foreign Company: Apple
Married: To Sakkie
Children: Six daughters
Clubs: Pirates