Full Name: Sechaba Danex Letaba

Position: CEO of Kudumane Manganese Resources

Main Activity of Company: Mining

Date and Place of Birth: September 13, 1964, Excelsior, Free State

Education: Mariasdal Catholic High School, matric, 1987; University of Johannesburg, BTech (mining engineering), 2004; Gordon Institute of Business Science, executive development programme, 2008

First Job: Learner official, De Beers, Kimberley, 1988

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 200 a month

Value of Assets under Your Control: R1.5-billion manganese mining project under way near Hotazel, in the Northern Cape

Number of People under Your Leadership: 500 during construction phase, thereafter 200 to 300 permanent employees

Management Style: I lead, I direct, I support

Personal Best Achievement: Being appointed CEO of Kudumane Manganese

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Philbert Rweyemamu, De Beers GM: Kleinzee

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Patrice Motsepe

Philosophy of Life: Hard work pays off

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being appointed mining manager at Assmang’s Black Rock manganese mine

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Failing science and geology at Wits Technikon in Johannesburg

Hope For the Future: That I become a mining business- person, possibly even owning my own mine

Favourite Reading: Business books, especially those by John Maxwell

Favourite TV Programme: Movies

Favourite Food/Drink: Pasta/lemon water and honey

Favourite Music: Smooth Jazz

Favourite Sport: Tennis (watching), squash (playing)

Hobbies: Music, swimming, running, gym, cars – cars are my weakness; I buy too many

Cars: BMW 730, Audi TT 3.2 Quattro, Prado GX

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