Full Name: Andre van Zyl
Position: CEO of Reliable Transformers
Main Activity of the Company: Reliable Transformers is a manufacturer and supplier of all types of transformers, chokes and reactors up to 3.5 MVA
Date and Place of Birth: March 8, 1965
Education: National higher diploma in electrical engineering, 1988
First Job: Eskom microprocessing lab
Career History Prior to Current Position: I started working at Reliable Transformers in 1983, alongside my father, HJ van Zyl, who had started the company in his garage in 1982. I bought the business from my father in 1995, when he retired
Size of First Pay Packet: R525 a month, at Eskom
First Job with Present Group: My father made sure I got to know the business inside out and I became involved in all aspects of the business, including making tea
Value of Assets under Your Control: R25-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: About 80
Management Style: Inclusive, but I have a strong idea of where the company is heading and will often try to sell my ideas to my employees to get their buy-in
Personal Best Achievement: Quitting smoking
Professional Best Achievement: Growing Reliable Transformers into the company it is today
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Steve Jobs
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My father
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Thuli Madonsela
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs
Philosophy of Life: We will never surrender
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Taking over the reins of Reliable Transformers from my father
Biggest Ever Disappointment: The current direction the country is taking after the leadership of Nelson Mandela
Hope for the Future: That we overcome the huge challenges in our country and we all live happily ever after
Favourite Reading: I enjoy some biographies, books on current affairs and politics
Favourite TV programme: The Simpsons – I love watching it with my daughter, Lisa
Favourite Food/Drink: Mediterranean food/a good red wine
Favourite Music: Very diverse, but it depends on my mood
Favourite Sport: As a spectator – rugby (I am a big Lions supporter); as a participant – golf, on occasion
Favourite Website: News24
Hobbies: Programming/writing software
Car: My first car was a Volkswagen Jetta. I now drive a BMW X5
Pets: One Jack Russell (Charlie), two cats (Kayla and Diani), two Border Collies (Liquorice and Tammy) and several Koi fish (they, too, have names)
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonest people and politicians, in general
Favourite Other South African Company: Comair, an extremely well-managed and successful company in a very challenging sector
Favourite Foreign Company: Apple
Married: To Karen, since 2003
Children: Lisa, 9
Clubs: None