Full Name: Isaac Mpela
Position: MD of Khanya Engineered Projects
Main Activity of the Company: Khanya Engineered Projects provides water and wastewater treatment solutions, primarily for the municipal sector
Date and Place of Birth: March 15, 1976
Education: BSc (chemical engineering) University of Cape Town
First Job: Process developer, Potable & Industrial Water Treatment
Career History Prior to Current Position: I was process design engineer at ImproChem, focusing on potable and industrial effluent treatment, for six years, after which I joined another company, where I worked in wastewater treatment, resigning as contracts director seven years later. I assumed my current position a few months later
Size of First Pay Packet: R5 000 a month
First Job with Present Group: MD
Value of Assets under Your Control: Ours is a contracting company, whose business model is not asset-based
Number of People under Your Leadership: 22
Management Style: I have a repertoire of styles that I use when appropriate. Predominant styles are ‘visionary’ (with a focus on strategy), ‘pacesetting’ and ‘coaching’
Personal Best Achievement: I ran my first Marathon in November last year
Professional Best Achievement: Completing my first contract in wastewater treatment, which was valued at R48-million; I was contracts manager at the time
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: God
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My mother
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Richard Branson
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson
Philosophy of Life: Opportunities of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Heading up Khanya Engineered Projects
Biggest Ever Disappointment: The early passing on of my mother, who was my biggest cheerleader
Hope for the Future: That we create more job opportunities through entrepreneurship
Favourite Reading: The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here for?
Favourite TV Programme: Suits
Favourite Food/Drink: Pap and lamb stew
Favourite Music: Gospel music
Favourite Sport: Basketball, soccer and tennis
Favourite Website: Success Resources
Hobbies: Running, reading, attending church services and local and international travel
Car: Jeep (current)
Pets: Rabbit (our younger daughter forced us to buy Fluffy for her fifth birthday – but we are now enjoying him)
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Untidiness and not being punctual
Favourite Other South African Company: Discovery
Favourite Foreign Company: Success Resources
Married: To Doris, since November 27, 2004
Children: Two girls – Khanyisile, 7; Fezeka, 5
Clubs: Team Vitality – road running