Full Name: Mathias Sithole

Position and Company Name: COO of Arnot Opco

Main Activity of the Company: Coal mining

Date and Place of Birth: August 22, 1969, South Africa

Education: National Higher Diploma (Mining), BTech (Mining), MBA, Executive Development Programme

First Job: Learner official, Free State Saaiplass mine

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 800 a month

Career Path to Date: Learner official, miner, shift boss, mine overseer, production manager, GM, group executive

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: 70 at present

Management Style: People-centric

Personal Best Achievement: One year with no lost-time injuries at Impala’s 5 Shaft

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father, Samuel Sithole

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: David Brown and Terence Goodlace

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Barack Obama

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs

Philosophy of Life: As a dog, don’t go bark at a flying bird (Bob Marley inspired)

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Managing over 55 000 mining people across South Africa and Zimbabwe

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Colleagues losing their lives in mining accidents

Hope for the Future: Modernising the workplace

Favourite Reading: The CEO Within, by Joseph L Bower

Favourite TV Programme: Sports

Favourite Food/Drink: Fish/Dragon Fiery

Favourite Music: Reggae, Afrobeat and jazz

Favourite Sport: Soccer

Hobbies: Road running

Car: BMW

Pets: Khoi fish

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Negative and unnecessarily secretive people

Married: To Manorah Sithole

Children: Sibusiso, 17; Siboniso, 11

Clubs: Morningside Marathon Club