Full Name: Fulu Mphuthi
Position: Group CEO
Main Activity of the Company: Akhani Group was established when Mine Procurement Solutions (MPS) and Vhaselwa Engineering & Management Consulting (VEM) merged. MPS specialises in customised infrastructure design, development and management for remote workforce and operational camping sites, while VEM focuses on the provision of business improvement solutions
Date and Place of Birth: May 26, 1977, Venda, Limpopo
Education: Chemical engineering national diploma, Vaal University of Technology, 1999; BTech (business information systems), Tshwane University of Technology, 2007; MBA, Netherlands Business School (completion expected in February 2015)
First Job: Brewing process technician, South African Breweries (SAB), Rosslyn
Career History Prior to Current Position: I worked as a business process engineer for various companies between 2007 and 2014; senior approval inspector and team leader, SABS, 2004; principal engineering assistant at Eskom’s Duvha power station, 2002 to 2004; process leader at Clover, 2001 to 2002; brewing process technician, SAB, 2000 to 2001; director and founder of VEM, 2010 to early 2014
Size of First Pay Packet: R12 000
First Job with Present Group: Group CEO
Value of Assets under Your Control: Our business model is capital project orientated. The current portfolio is valued at just over R100-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: Three executives
Management Style: My management style supports focusing on the challenges that present future opportunities rather than dwelling on the missed opportunities
Personal Best Achievement: My poetry book, Dzomo La Vhadzimu, which was published while I was still in matric
Professional Best Achievement: Winning the confidence of clients in our company
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My husband
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Patrice Motsepe
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Oprah Winfrey
Philosophy of Life: A positive mind makes things happen
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Receiving a fully funded scholarship to pursue my MBA studies oversees
Biggest Ever Disappointment: The untimely loss of my younger brother last year
Hope for the Future: That I have the guts to explore the opportunities that present themselves
Favourite Reading: Start With Why, by Simon Sinek and Sally Eichhost’s If I Can, You Can
Favourite TV Programme: Against All Odds
Favourite Food/Drink: I am a cheesemonger
Favourite Music: Any type of music that suits my mood
Favourite Sport: Long-distance road and trail running
Favourite Website: Trendy fashion websites
Hobbies: Cooking
Car: I would not mind driving an Audi R8
Pets: I am not a pet person
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who judge others
Favourite Other South African Company: SAB
Favourite Foreign Company: Google
Married: To Teboho Mphuthi, since December 4, 2004
Children: O-waka, 6; U-nae, 5
Clubs: None