Full Name: Papama Sazi Mgwedli
Position: Executive: project management at Aecom’s South Africa East district and market sector lead: public sector, South Africa East district
Main Activity of the Company: Aecom is a global provider of professional, technical and management support services for a broad range of markets, including transportation, building facilities, environmental, mining, energy, water and government
Date and Place of Birth: July 12, 1979, Willowvale, Eastern Cape
Education: Diploma in building; project management diploma, Gordon Institute of Business Science; and registration with the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions
First job: In-service trainee at Schoombie Hartmann Quantity Surveyors
Career History Prior to Current Position: I have 13 years’ experience in the implementation of projects in various sectors, including multidisciplinary projects and engineering, procurement and construction management projects. My market-sector experience includes the public sector and the commercial, retail, residential, banking, industrial, education and transport sectors
Size of First Pay Packet: R4 000 a month
First Job with Present Group: Senior project manager
Value of Assets under Your Control: Projects with a construction value of more than R600-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: Six
Management Style: Coaching style (I am a developmental manager)
Personal Best Achievement: Getting married and having three children
Professional Best Achievement: Becoming divisional director for project management at SiVEST at the age of 27 and starting my own business
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on your Life: My wife
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Mark Wright
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Former President Thabo Mbeki
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Sandile Zungu
Philosophy of Life: Patience is a virtue
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Joining Aecom
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not completing my degree, owing to financial reasons
Hope for the Future: Developing and mentoring many people in the engineering field
Favourite Reading: Autobiographies
Favourite TV Programme: House of Cards
Favourite Food/Drink: Traditional Xhosa food
Favourite Music: Afro jazz
Favourite Sport: Rugby
Favourite Website: None
Hobbies: Reading and sport
Car: Audi
Pets: Pomeranian (Toy Pom)
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty, laziness and corruption
Favourite Other South African Company: MTN
Favourite Foreign Company: Aecom
Married: To Zama Ndokweni, since March 23, 2003
Children: Sisanda, 10; Sisipo, 4; Sesethu, 2
Clubs: None