Full Name: Balan (Sadhasivan) Govender
Position: MD of Bosch Ulwazi
Main Activity of the Company: Skills development and mentoring, including the development of emerging enterprises and entrepreneurs, the development of graduates so that they attain professional registration and the provision of specialised technical programmes tailored to meet clients’ needs
Date and Place of Birth: December 24, 1963
Education: Diploma in textiles; I am also a qualified education, training and development practitioner
First Job: Engineering draughtsperson
Career History Prior to Current Position: Junior training instructor, technical training officer, senior training officer, training manager, regional training manager
Size of First Pay Packet: R60 a week (when I was an apprentice)
First Job with Present Group: Business manager
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: Eight permanent employees and numerous consultants and training facilitators
Management Style: Participative (democratic)
Personal Best Achievement: An award for lifetime contribution to the sport of volleyball from the eThekwini Volleyball Association; the Premier's Award for contributing to volleyball development in KwaZulu-Natal
Professional Best Achievement: Recognition from the eThekwini deputy mayor for contributing to the development of emerging enterprises in KwaZulu-Natal; witnessing the organisations we develop become sustainable business entities
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My uncle, Moon Govender, and my wife, Molly Govender
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Dianne Olivier, my mentor at Frame Textiles
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Tanmay Bakshi, the 13-year-old who has developed his own apps, written books on computer apps and is currently employed by Google
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Mark Shuttleworth
Philosophy of Life: Trust first and distrust later
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Getting to know Jesus
Biggest Ever Disappointment: How people destroyed the largest textiles organisation in the southern hemisphere by not sticking to the principles of its cofounder
Hope for the Future: We have the best country in the world; if we root out corruption, we will be one of the most successful economies
Favourite Reading: The Bible
Favourite TV Programme: Sports channels and Shark Tank
Favourite Food/Drink: Breyani and nonalcoholic drinks
Favourite Music: Classics
Favourite Sport: Volleyball and, time permitting, golf
Favourite Website: None
Hobbies: Classic cars – I dream of owning a VW split-window Kombi
Car: Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 CDI
Pets: Birds (I bred them for a while)
Miscellaneous Dislikes: None
Favourite Other South African Company: BMW Manufacturing Plant’s Training and Development Sector
Favourite Foreign Company: Not stated
Married: To Molly, since September 1, 1985
Children: Mergan, 31; Yugen, 29; Brandon, 21
Clubs: Soccer, Manchester United; rugby, Sharks; volleyball, Sporting Club Meadow (Masters Team); cricket, Dolfins