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