Full Name: Etienne Jooste

Position: COO at Londani Coal

Main Activity of the Company: Coal mining and processing for export and inland markets

Date and Place of Birth: November 13, 1981, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Education: Master of Business Management and Administration (MBA), University of Stellenbosch Business School; BTech Project Management, Tshwane University of Technology; NDip Engineering: Industrial, Tshwane University of Technology

First Job: Tallyman recording truck loads and scale readings for a coal contracting company at Optimum Colliery

Career History Prior to Current Position: My career was born in the coal mining industry at 16 doing weekend and holiday work, I started working full time after completing matric in 1999; 11 years as Operations Manager (material handling and supply operations – coal) for Waste Energy Recovery and Management, which was acquired in 2009 by Stefanutti Stocks Mining Services in 2009; Business Unit Manager for Fraser Alexander Bulk Mech Coal Division; COO for Close-Up Open Mining

Size of First Pay Packet: R 3 020 a month

First Job With Present Group: COO

Value of Assets Under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People Under Your Leadership: 380

Management Style: Structured, participative and results oriented

Personal Best Achievement: Being able to take a two-year sabbatical and complete my MBA at the University of Stellenbosch Business School on a full-time basis.

Professional Best Achievement: Career leading up to being appointed at executive level at age 34

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence On Your Life: Dirk Wouter Jacobs

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence On Your Career: Rob du Preez

Person You Would Most Like To Meet: Not stated

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Sir Richard Branson

Philosophy of Life: Attitude, ambition and perseverance are key. You are in control of your own success. Do what makes you happy and you will be good and successful at it. Treat all people with dignity and respect and help others where you can. You reap what you sow.

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Joining the Londani Coal team and being exposed its outstanding leadership guidance and operating model. Being an integral part of a very successful coal mining company that is doing business globally.

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Dedicated nine years of my early life building on a successful company and the owners walked out and left us with nothing.

Hope For the Future: Seeing South Africa, my own country, unite in full and be prosperous

Favourite Reading: News, technology, leadership and business-related articles.

Favourite TV Programme: Air Crash Investigation

Favourite Food/Drink: Braaivleis, Coca-Cola

Favourite Music: Afrikaans and some 80’s oldies

Favourite Sport: Not a huge sport fan

Favourite Website: Google

Hobbies: Travelling, boating and aviation. In the process of obtaining private pilot’s licence

Car: Mercedes-Benz SUV

Pets: Two Jack Russells and an African Grey

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty, laziness and unstructured things

Favourite Other South African Company: Capitec

Favourite Foreign Company: Amazon

Married: Not married

Children: No children