Full Name: Kennedy Swisasekile Sithole

Position and Company Name: MD for Eastern Africa at Saint-Gobain Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Saint-Gobain Group is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of construction materials and solutions

Date and Place of Birth: February 4, in Letaba, Tzaneen, in Limpopo province

Schools and Tertiary Education: BTech (Mechanical Engineering); Master of Management (Strategic Marketing), Wits Business School; MBA candidate, Wits Business School

First Job: Trainee engineer at BMW South Africa

Size of First Pay Packet: R2 000 a month

Career Path to Date: I started my career at BMW South Africa as a trainee engineer in the body shop department. I then worked for various companies, including Itron, 3M SA, Flowserve and Vestas Wind Energy, tasked with commercial and business development responsibilities. In 2016, I was appointed project sales manager for Saint-Gobain Construction Products, before being promoted to lead the pipe division as the GM for Southern Africa in 2019. I was again promoted to the position of MD for Eastern Africa in 2021, reporting to the CEO based at our South African head office

Value of Assets under Your Control: I manage four industrial operations in Eastern Africa – one each in Ethiopia and Tanzania and two in Kenya

Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 100 employees in the region

Management Style: Out of many, one (E pluribus unum); One vision, one team

Personal Best Achievement: Leading my family through the most challenging time – the passing of my father, who was chief induna in his village

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My late father, Noel Mathonga Sithole

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My predecessor at Saint-Gobain Eastern Africa, Bruno Langlais, and our human resources business partner, Debbie Moodley

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Thabo Mbeki and Paul Kagame

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Mask – he is a visionary leader who turns dreams into reality

Philosophy of Life: Your network is your net worth – choose friends and acquaintances wisely

Biggest Ever Opportunity: My appointment as MD of Saint-Gobain Eastern Africa

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not learning at least two foreign languages at a young age

Hope for the Future: That South Africa’s unemployment rate falls below 10%

Favourite Reading: Inspirational and leadership books by writers such as Simon Sinek and Jim Collins

Favourite TV Programme: Crime and investigation networks

Favourite Food/Drink: Seafood and wine

Favourite Music: Rhythm and blues/rap music

Favourite Sport: Tennis and athletics

Hobbies: Running and reading

Car: Mercedes-Benz

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Lack of discipline to achieve set personal and career goals

Children: Khenso,15; Kulani, 5

Clubs: None