Full Name: Kolosa Madikizela

Position: Unit leader: built environment, Aurecon

Main Activity of the Company: Professional consulting

Date and Place of Birth: April 18, 1980, Bizana, Eastern Cape

Education: MTech (construction management)

First Job: Project manager at TFMC

Career History Prior to Current Position: MD, Pragma Africa

Size of First Pay Packet: Less than R15 000 a month – as a student quantity surveyor

First Job with Present Group: Current position

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 185

Management Style: Altruistic, coaching and guiding

Personal Best Achievement: Getting to a point in my life where I am very comfortable with who I am and truly knowing myself at a deeper level

Professional Best Achievement: Being appointed MD of Pragma Africa three years after joining the organisation

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My mentor, Bonang Mohale, CEO of Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA)

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Michelle Obama

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Sir Richard Branson

Philosophy of Life: Be kind always and be true to yourself

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Representing South Africa in the 2011 Bilateral Trade Mission to the UK as a young leader

Biggest Ever Disappointment: None

Hope for the Future: That I can truly play an active and significant role in transforming the engineering and built environment sector in South Africa into a sector that is innovative, inclusive and diverse, particularly in terms of gender

Favourite Reading: Leadership, philosophical, self- discovery, African development and innovation themes

Favourite TV Programme: Master Chef Australia and The Fixer

Favourite Food/Drink: Lamb chops

Favourite Music: Soul, jazz and gospel

Favourite Sport: Swimming and hiking

Favourite Website: Google

Hobbies: Swimming, hiking, cooking, radio hosting, public speaking and interior decorating

Car: Mercedes-Benz

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Lies

Favourite Other South African Company: BLSA

Favourite Foreign Company: Volvo

Married: No

Children: None

Clubs: None