Full Name: Jaishwar Manilal
Position: CEO of the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) and acting CEO of the Supplier Park Development Centre
Main Activity of the Company: The AIDC primarily supports the Gauteng provincial government’s industrial developmental aims and objectives. Its purpose is to be the institutional mechanism focusing on effective project delivery in support of the industrial policy and other strategic initiatives within the advanced manufacturing sector
Date and Place of Birth: October 3, 1967, Umkomaas, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Education: Matric, 1986, Umkomaas Secondary School; BSc (Hon) Industrial Engineering; master’s degree in supply chain management; European master logistician’s certificate; ISO 14000-certified examiner; fellow, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation, UK
First Job: Trainee at the supply chain department of Toyota South Africa (SA)
Career History Prior to Current Position: After working in the project engineering department at Toyota SA, I became programme manager at Mercedes-Benz and supply chain manager and COO at the AIDC
Size of First Pay Packet: R550 a month
First Job with Present Group: Senior project manager in the supply chain department
Value of Assets under Your Control: About R800-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 160
Management Style: Open-door policy and participative
Personal Best Achievement: Representing South Africa at the United Nations
Professional Best Achievement: Leading my organisation through its biggest growth phase in very difficult economic times
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: I cannot single out any one person
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Richard Branson
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson
Philosophy of Life: Be the change that you want to see – Mahatma Gandhi; pursue excellence – vehemently oppose mediocrity and, in so doing, make excellence an attitude
Biggest Ever Opportunity: To continue to lead the AIDC and the SPDC in support of Auto Vision 2020
Biggest Ever Disappointment: None, as I do not dwell on the consequences of my decisions
Hope for the Future: Enriching the impoverished and empowering the underprivileged
Favourite Reading: Biographies
Favourite TV Programme: Suits, CSI and all the cooking channels
Favourite Food/Drink: Seafood, excluding shellfish/strawberry juice
Favourite Music: Any music that relates to events and memories in my life
Favourite Sport: Soccer – I am an ardent (but frustrated) Liverpool supporter
Favourite Website: www1.skysport.com/football
Hobbies: Reading and photography
Car: Mercedes-Benz
Pets: Enzo, my dog, who is of Timber Wolf heritage
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Destructive and malicious people
Favourite Other South African Company: Sasol
Favourite Foreign Company: Apple
Married: To Kemantha since December 30, 1990
Children: Karissen, 21; Jaison, 11; Rihaan, 4