Full Name: Thando Makhoba

Position: MD of Multotec Rubber

Main Activity of the Company: Multotec Rubber is a mill-lining and rubber-wear products original-equipment manufacturer

Date and Place of Birth: January 19, 1974, Edendale, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal

Education: Mechanical engineering, as well as an MBA

First Job: Trainee mechanical technician

Career History Prior to Current Position: I spent time at a smelter before moving to the automotive sector, where I worked for Toyota and Mercedes-Benz for at least ten years. Thereafter, I joined the rail industry, working for Transnet and the mines. I also was part of the Bombardier consortium for the Gautrain project. I then moved to the ceramic industry, where I was involved in the construction of a factory serving the catalytic inverter space and then abrasives. Thereafter, I worked for mining equipment suppliers Metso and Sandvik

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 200 a month

First Job with Present Group: MD of Multotec Rubber

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: About 125

Management Style: Situational

Personal Best Achievement: Participating in the first-ever charity ride from Joburg to Durban, raising funds for orphanages, and participating in an Amashova cycling race

Professional Best Achievement: Building factories and turning around at least four businesses, achieving both growth and profitability

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Pirjo Virtanen, an associate professor of indigenous studies at Finland's University of Helsinki

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Jack Ma, cofounder and former executive chairperson of China’s Alibaba Group

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Bill Gates

Philosophy of Life: It’s the set of the sail that determines your direction, not the wind

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Running two factories in different provinces profitably, and growing sales

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing my father

Hope for the Future: South Africa will be back on a growth path; change is happening – that’s why there’s chaos

Favourite Reading: Personal development books

Favourite TV Programme: The Big Bang Theory

Favourite Food/Drink: Fish/Cognac

Favourite Music: Jazz and House

Favourite Sport: Cycling

Favourite Website: None

Hobbies: Hiking, gardening, do-it-yourself stuff and animal viewing

Car: Ford Wildtrak 2.0 Bi-Turbo

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Pessimists, laziness, gossiping, subtle racism, cats, culture of entitlement and greed

Favourite Other South African Company: SAB

Favourite Foreign Company: Microsoft

Married: To Mpho Makhoba, since November 2003

Children: Nokuthula, 25; Lethukuthula, 21; Nqubeko, 14

Clubs: Proud Beginners Cycling and Chillie Runners