Full Name: Nokonwaba Ngxabazi

Position and Company Name: Chief administrative officer of Michelin Tyre Company Africa & Middle East

Main Activity of the Company: Michelin is a multinational tyre manufacturing company

Date and Place of Birth: April 12, Soweto, Gauteng

Schools and Tertiary Education: Ndamase, Eastern Cape; SE College, Johannesburg; University of Cape Town; MBA, University of South Africa

First Job: Receptionist at an insurance company

Size of First Pay Packet: R10 000 a month

Career Path to Date: I worked as a receptionist for an insurance company after university, after which I worked for Sasol as a human resources business partner. This was followed by stints as human resources manager at FNB and Standard Bank and as human resources director at Hilti. As Michelin’s chief administrative officer (in the South Africa office), I am responsible for sub-Saharan Africa, and as Michelin’s personnel services director (in the Dubai office) I am responsible for Africa and the Middle East

Value of Assets under Your Control: Revenue of R2.8-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: About 35

Management Style: Mostly situational; however, I prefer to be more of a servant leader who enjoys coaching the team. Leading from the back has always been a good strategy for me. I trust the expertise of my team

Personal Best Achievement: Helping Michelin South Africa achieve Level 1 broad-based black economic empowerment status, and being able to develop and create a high-performing team within an organisation

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mentors, coaches and direct line manager, who set high expectations for me, and my mother, who knew the best version of myself that I didn’t even knew existed

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My mother and myself

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Former South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Wendy Luhabe – she is a humble, focused and determined woman

Philosophy of Life: To have a long-lasting impact on the lives of all those I have worked with

Biggest Ever Opportunity: The opportunity to head up the Michelin Dubai office as personnel services director, with responsibility for Africa and the Middle East

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not to have retired at 40! Seriously, all the disappointments that I have had taught me valuable lessons. One of the disappointments was a failed business, but I learned a lot from that failed business

Hope for the Future: I hope for a country that focuses on its people and putting them first. Personally, I hope to impact on the communities I live in and to develop the next generation of leaders (both males and females) that are conscious about people, and not things

Favourite Reading: Business-related, self-help and spiritual books

Favourite TV Programme: I don’t watch TV, except for news – but then selectively

Favourite Food/Drink: Warm water with lemon and anything that has berries in it

Favourite Music: R&B, soul and spiritual music

Favourite Sport: I enjoy all kinds of sports – it’s the energy, camaraderie, fun and the atmosphere that the sporting space creates that attract me

Hobbies: Anything with two wheels that will ensure I am outdoors and in the sun – that is, biking, running, cycling and hiking – as well as singing

Car: Range Rover

Pets: I’m too spontaneous to own a pet

Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who don’t respect others and time

Married: Divorced

Children: Bulumka Maseko, 20; Thulani Ngxabazi (nephew)

Clubs: None