Full Name: Johannes Cornelius Luther Erasmus
Position: MD of TLT MechCaL and TLT Actom
Main Activity of the Company: The group is a global leader in the supply of innovative ventilation solutions for the mining, power, industrial and process industries
Date and Place of Birth: June 16, 1963, Pretoria
Education: MSc (applied mathematics), BA (Hons) (political science), MBA
First Job: Rocket scientist, developing missile gyroscopes and guidance control systems
Career History Prior to Current Position: In the first few years of my career, I worked in the missile technology development and system engineering environment, after which I worked mostly at C-level in entrepreneurial technology and/or engineering companies that I founded or cofounded. I also served for six to seven years in various consulting capacities at the ‘Big Four’ audit and accounting firms at various stages
Size of First Pay Packet: R2 500 a month
First Job with Present Group: MD of MechCaL
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: 100
Management Style: Inclusive, but decisive
Personal Best Achievement: Raising three children with a sound value system that respects one’s fellow humans, nature and the environment
Professional Best Achievement: Successfully concluding a reverse takeover and initial public offering of a high-tech venture on the Toronto Venture Exchange in 2006
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother, who died of cancer when I was 17
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Unre Visagie, who was a mentor, sound board, supporter, adversary and friend
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, 3rd Baronet, OBE
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk
Philosophy of Life: Be down to earth, and appreciate all the things in life that most people take for granted
Biggest Ever Opportunity: I have had too many opportunities to count or recall
Biggest Ever Disappointment: The curve balls that life throws at you when you least expect them
Hope for the Future: That we have a responsible global society in which we respect one another, nature and the environment
Favourite Reading: Autobiographies of people who achieved something against all odds – be it in business, sport, adventure and exploration, or other remarkable achievements
Favourite TV Programme: Sport
Favourite Food/Drink: Water and any food without colourants or preservatives
Favourite Music: Most rock, some metal, hip-hop, alternative and classical
Favourite Sport: Mountain biking and trail running
Favourite Website: Adventure sports and mountaineering
Hobbies: Mountain biking, long distance and trail running, adventure sports, great outdoors (hiking and camping in Big Five game reserves in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia)
Car: Toyota Land Cruiser
Pets: Great Dane, a Jack Russel, and two cats
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People with a negative mindset, dishonest people, soapies and reality TV
Favourite Other South African Company: Pepkor
Favourite Foreign Company: Harley-Davidson
Married: To Nickey, since January 21, 1989
Children: Vilma, 26; Beatrix, 24; Marthinus, 21
Clubs: Groenkloof Virgin Active and Phobians Running Club