Full Name: Salani Sithole

Position: MD of Royal HaskoningDHV South Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Consulting engineering

Date and Place of Birth: 1961, Alexandra, Johannesburg

Education: BSc (civil engineering); MDP, Henley; EDP, University of Singapore; currently completing executive development programme with TIAS Business School in the Netherlands

First Job: Candidate engineer, Arup

Career History Prior to Current Position: City engineer for Randburg, Sandton and Alexandra; power station manager, Kriel; group operations manager: Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa

Size of First Pay Packet: R4 000 a month

First Job with Present Group: Group manager: business development, SSI Engineers & Environmental Consultants

Value of Assets under Your Control: R1-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: 850

Management Style: Soft on people, hard on results

Personal Best Achievement: At the age of 18, I was one of the cofounders of the first old age home in Alexandra, in consultation with the Minister of Health and the Rotary Club

Professional Best Achievement: Being the recipient of the Energy Efficiency Award from Eskom for the optimisation of grinding media, which saved the power utility R50-million in 1999

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Community leader the Reverend Sam Buti, of the Dutch Reformed Church – he inspired people to make contributions to the community

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: David Haggie, of Haggie Rand, who inspired me to go to university and funded my education

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Bill Gates

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs

Philosophy of Life: It is important to contribute – when you leave the earth, you need to know where you added value

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Education

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not stated

Hope for the Future: Zero deaths on our roads

Favourite Reading: Varied

Favourite TV Programme: Mega Structures

Favourite Food/Drink: Rib-eye steak and red wine

Favourite Music: Classical

Favourite Sport: Soccer

Favourite Website: Not stated

Hobbies: Golf

Car: Jeep

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Reckless drivers

Favourite Other South African Company: The South African National Roads Agency

Favourite Foreign Company: Apple

Married: To Sakkie

Children: Six daughters

Clubs: Pirates