Full Name: Mesela Nhlapo

Position: CEO of the RailRoad Association

Main Activity of the Company: The RailRoad Association is a nonprofit company established as a public–private partnership between South African business and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to ensure the rightful place for rail as an effective mode of transport in integrating the African continent

Date and Place of Birth: November 1, 1977, KwaThema, Springs

Education: BCom (marketing) and LLB, University of South Africa

First Job: Quality control manager at Protec Galvanizers

Size of First Pay Packet: A little bit more would have helped

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: 18 employees

Management Style: Transformational and strategic leadership

Personal Best Achievement: Reviving the RailRoad Association

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Chiboni Evans and Oswald Biribauer

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Dorothy Mofomme, Teddy Daka, Patrice Motsepe, Aliko Dangote and Somizi Mhlongo

Philosophy of Life: I did not come here to participate; I came here to change the game

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being brought up by strong black women

Biggest Ever Disappointment: None

Hope for the Future: A world-class rail infrastructure that crisscrosses Africa – an Africa whose development is driven by African people, especially its women and youth

Favourite Reading: The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli

Favourite TV Programme: Blacklist, The Fixer and Shameless

Favourite Food/Drink: Mogodu

Favourite Music: Reggae, kwaito and RnB

Favourite Sport: Golf

Hobbies: Reading

Car: Only the best!

Pets: A cat

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Laziness

Married: To Sikanisi Nhlapo

Children: Langelihle, 15; Olufemi, 11

Clubs: None