Full Name: Bornapart Sibanda

Position: GM of Engineerex

Main Activity of the Company: Engineerex specialises in multidisciplinary design, engineering and project management consulting services within the built environment and engineering sector

Date and Place of Birth: September 29, 1984

Education: MBA, Herriot Watt University, 2014; MCom (economics), 2012; BCom (Hons) (financial markets), 2008; BCom (business management and economics), 2007, University of Fort Hare

First Job: Business adviser

Career History Prior to Current Position: I have worked mainly as a business adviser/consultant for companies

Size of First Pay Packet: R4 000 a month

First Job with Present Group: Economist

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: 25

Management Style: Autonomous. In an engineering environment, where one works with professionals, it is only fair to trust their capabilities

Personal Best Achievement: Not stated

Professional Best Achievement: Successfully managing a financial viability and tariff calculation project – the first project I managed when I joined Bicacon Group

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My late father, who planted in me the seed of responsibility and love and care for family

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: A late friend named Kudakwashe Chipendo – an intelligent and aesthetic man whose death was a huge loss to the world

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: With Steve Jobs having died a while a go, it is Jack Ma Yun, a Chinese business magnate, investor and philanthropist.

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Bicacon Group executive chairperson Thabiso Lekoana – he is an astute businessperson

Philosophy of Life: Combine your competence with the right attitude and you will be the master of your own destiny

Biggest Ever Opportunity: The opportunity to manage Engineerex

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Failing to secure a university place after completing Advanced Level (matric)

Hope for the Future: A world that sees beyond race, tribe and nationality

Favourite Reading: Confessions of an Economic Hitman, by John Perkins – it offers insight into the exploitation of the resources of underdeveloped nations

Favourite TV Programme: Quest Means Business, presented by Richard Quest, a CNN business correspondent

Favourite Food/Drink: Oxtail and wildberry fizz

Favourite Music: Rock gospel

Favourite Sport: Soccer

Favourite Website: www.businesslive.co.za.

Hobbies: Playing chess and soccer, and reading

Car: Mercedes-Benz C200

Pets: I do not have any, but I would consider a beagle

Miscellaneous Dislikes: A negative attitude and negative ruminations over the past

Favourite Other South African Company: Discovery

Favourite Foreign Company: Apple

Married: To Kwanele

Children: Michelle Ntombikayise, 5; Michael Mthokozisi, 1

Clubs: Thatch Field Golf Club