Full Name: Velaphi Ratshefola
Position: MD of Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA); chairperson of the Beverage Association of South Africa
Main Activity of the Company: CCBSA is a soft drinks bottling company
Date and Place of Birth: Not stated
Education: December 1985: BJuris, North-West University (NWU), 1985; LLB, NWU, 1988; diploma in labour relations, 1990; MDP, University of Cape Town, 1997
First Job: Public prosecutor
Career History Prior to Current Position: I have 28 years’ working experience spanning the legal field (two years), the human resources field (eight years) and sales and operations (16 years)
Size of First Pay Packet: R800 a month
First Job with Present Group: MD (formerly ABI)
Value of Assets under Your Control: Revenue of R27-billion and fixed assets valued at R6.1-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 7 500
Management Style: Participative – I involve my team extensively; however, wherever necessary, I will make a call. Our type of business does not allow for consensus all the time
Personal Best Achievement: Captaining my university soccer team for four years. This was not planned; however, it gave my peers and my leaders at the time a chance to see my leadership abilities
Professional Best Achievement: Being appointed MD of CCBSA
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: None
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: The likes of John Ustas, former MD of ABI; my mentor, Norman Adami; and Mark Bowman
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila to discuss how the country has evolved from a self-destructive State to possibly the cleanest country in Africa. I would also want to spend time with Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu to get his insights on where we are as a country
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Not stated
Philosophy of Life: Be positive
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Not stated
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not stated
Hope for the Future: Not stated
Favourite Reading: Business books
Favourite TV Programme: No time for TV
Favourite Food/Drink: Monster Energy
Favourite Music: Blues, jazz and African gospel
Favourite Sport: Soccer
Favourite Website: Google
Hobbies: Farming and singing in the church choir
Car: I am not big on cars – I will drive any car that is reliable, big and comfortable; speed is not important
Pets: My cattle
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Negativity and lazy people who are always dependent on others
Favourite Other South African Company: South African Breweries, which has defied the odds to make the brand recognisable across many segments of the market, and Shoprite Group – I appreciate how Whitey Basson runs the business and what he has achieved over the years. I may not always agree with him, but I like how he ‘steers his ship’
Favourite Foreign Company: Outside our industry, you must marvel at how a company like IBM is able to reinvigorate itself so that it can survive and remain relevant. To think that, a few decades ago, it was on the brink of destruction. It has an enduring nature
Married: To Rose
Children: Mmamorwa, 23; Velaphi Jr, 21; Rebaone, 12
Clubs: Kaizer Chiefs