Full Name: Bhekani Kwazokuhle Nkululeko Mdlalose
Position: Group MD of Grinaker-LTA
Main Activity of the Company: Engineering, construction and concessions
Date and Place of Birth: September 12, 1979, Melmoth, KwaZulu-Natal
Education: Mechanical engineering degree; MBA
First Job: Engineer-in-training at Fibre Wound SA
Career History Prior to Current Position: MD, Aveng Grinaker-LTA Mechanical and Electrical, and Operating Group MD at Aveng Grinaker-LTA
Size of First Pay Packet: R2 050 a month
First Job with Present Group: Group MD
Value of Assets under Your Control: About R560-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: Between 2 000 and 5 000
Management Style: Participative – I have an open-door policy and encourage employee input in decision-making
Personal Best Achievement: Being appointed director of DSE Structural Engineers (a division of Aveng Grinaker-LTA) at 28
Professional Best Achievement: Delivering World Cup stadium roofs on time for Soccer City, Moses Mabhida Stadium and Cape Town Stadium
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My friends, Tony Indiveri and Branko Mdladina, and immediate family, Ntuli and Bhengu Mdlalose
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Quite a few people from Aveng and Murray & Roberts, including Paul Edwards, Kobus Marais, Eric Diack, Adrian Macartney and Sean Flanagan
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Jack Ma
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Kevin Hedderwick
Philosophy of Life: Be genuine to people
Biggest Ever Opportunity: To lead a standalone Grinaker-LTA after the buyout from Aveng
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Having to rightsize the business from R8-billion revenue to R4-billion revenue, owing to market forces; and letting go of loyal, long-serving employees
Hope for the Future: Stability within the political environment, and an integrated South Africa – this country has a lot of potential
Favourite Reading: Any book written by Robin Sharma or Paulo Coelho
Favourite TV Programme: All SuperSport channels
Favourite Food/Drink: Bacalhau a bras and sparkling water
Favourite Music: Gospel music
Favourite Sport: Cycling
Favourite Website: YouTube
Hobbies: Running and cycling
Car: Mercedes-Benz
Pets: None
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Pretentious and selfish people
Favourite Other South African Company: Bidvest
Favourite Foreign Company: Strabag
Married: To Thabile Pearl Mdlalose, since July 6, 2002
Children: Ayanda, 17; Mbali, 15; Gugu, 9; Ucabango, 8
Clubs: Jeppe Quondam Sports Club, Bedfordview Country Club, Mount Edgecombe Country Club