Full Name: Mathias Sithole
Position and Company Name: COO of Arnot Opco
Main Activity of the Company: Coal mining
Date and Place of Birth: August 22, 1969, South Africa
Education: National Higher Diploma (Mining), BTech (Mining), MBA, Executive Development Programme
First Job: Learner official, Free State Saaiplass mine
Size of First Pay Packet: R1 800 a month
Career Path to Date: Learner official, miner, shift boss, mine overseer, production manager, GM, group executive
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: 70 at present
Management Style: People-centric
Personal Best Achievement: One year with no lost-time injuries at Impala’s 5 Shaft
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father, Samuel Sithole
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: David Brown and Terence Goodlace
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Barack Obama
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs
Philosophy of Life: As a dog, don’t go bark at a flying bird (Bob Marley inspired)
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Managing over 55 000 mining people across South Africa and Zimbabwe
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Colleagues losing their lives in mining accidents
Hope for the Future: Modernising the workplace
Favourite Reading: The CEO Within, by Joseph L Bower
Favourite TV Programme: Sports
Favourite Food/Drink: Fish/Dragon Fiery
Favourite Music: Reggae, Afrobeat and jazz
Favourite Sport: Soccer
Hobbies: Road running
Car: BMW
Pets: Khoi fish
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Negative and unnecessarily secretive people
Married: To Manorah Sithole
Children: Sibusiso, 17; Siboniso, 11
Clubs: Morningside Marathon Club