Full Name: Theo Mashego
Position: MD of Unidrive Electric Motors
Main Activity of the Company: Unidrive Electric Motors supplies and repairs ac and dc motors, submersible pumps, industrial gearboxes and vibrator motors
Date and Place of Birth: April 24, 1987
Education: Postgraduate diploma in business administration, Wits Business School; programme in business management, University of South Africa; management advancement programme, Wits Business School; information technology engineering diploma, CTI; various information technology- (IT-) related certifications. I am currently an MBA candidate at Wits Business School
First Job: Stock packing
Career History Prior to Current Position: I worked at Digital Planet from 2006 to 2009, and at NetsurIT from 2009 to 2011, before joining Sun International as senior IT operations systems engineer at Sun City Resort and later moving to Deloitte & Touche’s Group Information Services, where I spent two years. Thereafter, I cofounded Ayanda@Work, which later merged with Unidrive Electric Motors
Size of First Pay Packet: R3 500 a month
First Job with Present Group: Operations Manager at Ayanda@Work, before it merged with Unidrive Electric Motors
Value of Assets under Your Control: About R10-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 17 permanent staff members
Management Style: A hybrid of persuasive and consultative management
Personal Best Achievement: Being appointed CEO of Unleashing Leadership Potential
Professional Best Achievement: Leading the merger of Unidrive and Ayanda@Work, giving both companies a new lease of life, not only preserving employment but also creating more jobs
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Founder and chairperson of Unleashing Leadership Potential, Maurice Radebe
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Patrice Motsepe
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Phuthuma Nhleko
Philosophy of Life: Hard work produces results
Biggest-Ever Opportunity: Starting a business
Biggest-Ever Disappointment: Getting two orders in two years since starting our business
Hope for the Future: That we grow the business, employ more people and increase shareholder value
Favourite Reading: Biographies, autobiographies and leadership books. I am currently reading My Own Liberator, by retired Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke
Favourite TV Programme: The Grand Tour
Favourite Food/Drink: Fillet and ribeye steak
Favourite Music: I am more of a talk radio person
Favourite Sport: Soccer
Favourite Website: www.nike.com
Hobbies: I am trying my hand at golf
Car: VW
Pets: None
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Poor performers
Favourite Other South African Company: NetsurIT
Favourite Foreign Company: Berkshire Hathaway
Married: To Simphiwe Mashego, since December 8, 2012
Children: Mayande, 2; Morongwa, ten months
Clubs: Momentum World of Golf