Full Name: Sitembele Mase
Position: CEO of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC)
Main Activity of the Company: Economic development, investments and finance in the Eastern Cape
Date and Place of Birth: 20 August, Quthubeni, Engcobo
Education: MBL, University of South Africa (Unisa) School of Business Leadership, 2000; postgraduate certificate in investments, ethics and portfolio management, Unisa, 2003
First Job: Teacher, Jalamba High School, Elliotdale, 1980
Career History Prior to Current Position: CEO of the South African Micro-Finance Apex Fund, 2006 to 2010; executive director of the National Urban, Reconstruction and Housing Agency, 2001 to 2006; GM: operations, Mine Workers Development Agency, 1998 to 2001
Size of First Pay Packet: R59 a month
First Job with Present Group: CEO
Value of Assets under Your Control: R2.3-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 167
Management Style: Situational, leading from behind and leading from the front, when required
Personal Best Achievement: Receiving a group award as the third-best MBL students
Professional Best Achievement: Establishing a new microfinance developmental wholesale fund in South Africa
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My brother, Nzuzo, my late father and my uncle, SA Xobololo
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: GM Makasi, MMM Swana and M Damane
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: President Robert Mugabe
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Phutuma Nhleko
Philosophy of Life: Be fair to people, but firm on principle
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Meeting the mayor of London, Sir Francis McWilliams, in 1992
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Emerging greed and entitlement in our society
Hope for the Future: That barriers to education are broken down for children
Favourite Reading: Power Systems, by Noam Chomsky
Favourite TV Programme: WWE Smackdown
Favourite Food/Drink: Seafood/hot water with fresh lemon
Favourite Music: Jazz (classical, international and African)
Favourite Sport: I used to be a boxer, before turning to martial arts. I also enjoy watching soccer
Favourite Website: Not stated
Hobbies: Listening to and analysing jazz, and jogging
Car: Dodge Nitro
Pets: None
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Greed, gossip and back stabbing
Favourite Other South African Company: Discovery
Favourite Foreign Company: Van Heusen
Married: To Nomsa, since June 10, 2005
Children: Sandisiwe, 34; Sivuyisiwe, 29; Athenkosi, 24; Sakhisizwe, 23 and Abongile, 18
Clubs: None