Nitesh Matai

7th May 2021

Nitesh Matai

Full Name: Nitesh Matai

Position: GM of SunBet

Main Activity of the Company: Online gaming and sport betting

Date and Place of Birth: May 11, 1974, Durban

Education: Bachelor’s degree in law and psychology

First Job: Broker consultant

Career History Prior to Current Position: Managing executive, Nu Metro; head of acquisition marketing, Osiris Trading; marketing director, Life Tree Convergence; business development manager, Protek; and business analysist, Computer Answers EPPIX

Size of First Pay Packet: R7 200 a month

First Job with Present Group: GM

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: 45

Management Style: Casual and inclusive. I am also innovation- and performance-orientated and approachable

Personal Best Achievement: My children

Professional Best Achievement: Managing the turnaround strategy at Nu Metro, taking it from a distressed business to a very profitable one

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Osiris Trading CEO Laurence Michel and Protek MD Jeff Minsky

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Stephen King

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Mark Zuckerberg

Philosophy of Life: Stay positive – there is always somebody who has it worse off than you

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Growing SunBet into an international platform

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I think everything happens for a reason, so I do not have too many regrets or disappointments

Hope for the Future: A corruption-free South Africa

Favourite Reading: Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams, and The Tao of Pooh, by Benjamin Hoff

Favourite TV Programme: Billions, Suits, The Wire and GOT

Favourite Food/Drink: Indian Food/red wine

Favourite Music: Music by rock bands Fleetwood Mac and Dire Straits

Favourite Sport: Formula One

Favourite Website: www.doubleapex.co.za

Hobbies: Cooking, gaming and cars

Car: Porsche 911

Pets: Ferris, a Maltese

Favourite Other South African Company: Discovery

Favourite Foreign Company: Apple

Married: To Dr Nirvana Pillay, since 1997

Children: Dhiya, 21; Arya, 17

Clubs: None