Full Name: Etienne Jooste
Position: COO at Londani Coal
Main Activity of the Company: Coal mining and processing for export and inland markets
Date and Place of Birth: November 13, 1981, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Education: Master of Business Management and Administration (MBA), University of Stellenbosch Business School; BTech Project Management, Tshwane University of Technology; NDip Engineering: Industrial, Tshwane University of Technology
First Job: Tallyman recording truck loads and scale readings for a coal contracting company at Optimum Colliery
Career History Prior to Current Position: My career was born in the coal mining industry at 16 doing weekend and holiday work, I started working full time after completing matric in 1999; 11 years as Operations Manager (material handling and supply operations – coal) for Waste Energy Recovery and Management, which was acquired in 2009 by Stefanutti Stocks Mining Services in 2009; Business Unit Manager for Fraser Alexander Bulk Mech Coal Division; COO for Close-Up Open Mining
Size of First Pay Packet: R 3 020 a month
First Job With Present Group: COO
Value of Assets Under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People Under Your Leadership: 380
Management Style: Structured, participative and results oriented
Personal Best Achievement: Being able to take a two-year sabbatical and complete my MBA at the University of Stellenbosch Business School on a full-time basis.
Professional Best Achievement: Career leading up to being appointed at executive level at age 34
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence On Your Life: Dirk Wouter Jacobs
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence On Your Career: Rob du Preez
Person You Would Most Like To Meet: Not stated
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Sir Richard Branson
Philosophy of Life: Attitude, ambition and perseverance are key. You are in control of your own success. Do what makes you happy and you will be good and successful at it. Treat all people with dignity and respect and help others where you can. You reap what you sow.
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Joining the Londani Coal team and being exposed its outstanding leadership guidance and operating model. Being an integral part of a very successful coal mining company that is doing business globally.
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Dedicated nine years of my early life building on a successful company and the owners walked out and left us with nothing.
Hope For the Future: Seeing South Africa, my own country, unite in full and be prosperous
Favourite Reading: News, technology, leadership and business-related articles.
Favourite TV Programme: Air Crash Investigation
Favourite Food/Drink: Braaivleis, Coca-Cola
Favourite Music: Afrikaans and some 80’s oldies
Favourite Sport: Not a huge sport fan
Favourite Website: Google
Hobbies: Travelling, boating and aviation. In the process of obtaining private pilot’s licence
Car: Mercedes-Benz SUV
Pets: Two Jack Russells and an African Grey
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty, laziness and unstructured things
Favourite Other South African Company: Capitec
Favourite Foreign Company: Amazon
Married: Not married
Children: No children