Full Name: Njombo Lucky Lekula

Position: MD of PPC Southern Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Manufacturing and distribution of cement, concrete and related materials

Date and Place of Birth: April 2, Daveyton, Johannesburg

Education: I am a chemical engineer by profession. I also have an MBA from the University of Stellenbosch Business School

First Job: Store assistant at a Spar in Benoni when I was a student

Career History Prior to Current Position: Before assuming the position of MD: Southern Africa in 2017, I held several leadership roles within PPC across various divisions, including overseeing the International division of PPC as MD, as well as MD of PPC Zimbabwe

Size of First Pay Packet: R2 500 a month

First Job with Present Group: I began my career on the technical side of the business, but soon discovered a love of – and affinity for – the operational side of things

Value of Assets under Your Control: About R5-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: 1 900 employees

Management Style: Transformative leadership

Personal Best Achievement: None that I can think of

Professional Best Achievement: Seeing the growth and development of people I have coached and mentored over the years has been the most gratifying and humbling achievement

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My late father – he went out of his way to ensure that his family, and particularly his children, had a better life. At some point, he held down three jobs concurrently. He raised eight children with dignity and no complaints, and we all felt loved and well taken care of

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Charles Smith, a former production manager at one of our operations in the Western Cape – he gave me the opportunity to learn and grow in the operations field

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Wayne Dyer – I found his books on psychology and self-discovery very interesting, and they broadened my worldview and helped me to be open-minded and appreciative in how I approach a variety of issues or situations

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: None

Philosophy of Life: I am a firm believer in always looking for a win-win solution in every interaction I have

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Taking up the role of MD of our Zimbabwe operations in 2013. This came at an opportune time, as the country was coming out of hyperinflation and we had to turn the business around. The operation increased its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation by 45.6% and volumes by 19% in three years

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I know this sounds like a cliché, but I do not keep score. I see disappointments as opportunities to learn and improve

Hope for the Future: The young leaders in South Africa taking their rightful place

Favourite Reading: Philosophy

Favourite TV Programme: Home Channel

Favourite Food/Drink: Pasta

Favourite Music: Afro jazz

Favourite Sport: To play – golf; to watch – soccer and cricket

Favourite Website: None

Hobbies: Golf, landscaping and home renovations

Car: Mercedes-Benz

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Mediocrity and ineffective politics

Favourite Other South African Company: Vodacom

Favourite Foreign Company: Unilever

Married: To Noxolo Lekula, since December 4, 1999

Children: Ntsako, 19; Gabriella, 23

Clubs: Explorers Golf Club, Matimba Golf Club