Full Name: Oscar van Antwerpen

Position: Director and founder of MINROM

Main Activity of the Company: MINROM specialises in providing geological services in exploration, mining and groundwater

Date and Place of Birth: September 28, 1969, Krugersdorp

Schools and Tertiary Education: MSc (Geology), University of Port Elizabeth, 1999; Graduate Diploma in Mining Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, 2001; MPhil (Environmental Management), Stellenbosch University, 2004

First Job: Mine geologist at Gold Fields South Africa

Career History Prior to Current Position: I was a mine geologist at Gold Fields from 1994 to 1998, superintendent: continuous improvement in the manganese department at BHP Billiton from 1998 to 2004, and mineral resource manager in the manganese department at BHP Billiton (in the Northern Cape) from 2004 to 2008, before working for DRA Mining from 2008 to 2010

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 300 a month

First Job with Present Group: Founder and director

Value of Assets under Your Control: Infinite intellectual capital

Number of People under Your Leadership: 18

Management Style: Participative

Personal Best Achievement: Raising my two boys

Professional Best Achievement: Receiving the Hutton Award for the best honours thesis in 1991, and being elected as a fellow for the Geological Society

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Professor IC Rust

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Sadhguru

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs

Philosophy of Life: Every day is a good day – even a bad day

Biggest Ever Opportunity: The creation of MINROM

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not spending enough time with my family

Hope for the Future: The young aspiring thought leaders of today, who will influence the outcome of South Africa tomorrow

Favourite Reading: Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, by Terry Pratchett

Favourite TV Programme: Harmen Hoek

Favourite Food/Drink: Mediterranean/sparkling water on top of a mountain

Favourite Music: West African rhythm

Favourite Sport: Hiking and rock climbing

Favourite Website: www.minrom.co.za

Hobbies: Exploration of nature, cultural diversity, countries and history

Car: Toyota Hilux

Pets: None but I would love a dog

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Noise and inconsiderate road users

Favourite Other South African Company: StereoCore and EcoPack

Favourite Foreign Company: Apple

Married: I am a proud father

Children: Two industrial engineers

Clubs: Mountain Passes of South Africa