Full Name: Siphelele Nomathemba Ntshangase
Position and Company Name: Principal geology consultant at Letaba Elihle Investments (LEI) Advisory
Main Activity of the Company: The provision of technical and management advisory services in the resources sector
Date and Place of Birth: October 24, 1984, Evander, Mpumalanga
Education: BSc (Hons) Geology, University of the Witwatersrand; MBA, Stellenbosch Business School
First Job: Geology management trainee at AngloGold Ashanti in Klerksdorp
Size of First Pay Packet: R14 000 a month, in 2008.
Career Path to Date: Geology management trainee to senior geologist at AngloGold Ashanti, senior geologist at the Bokoni platinum mine and principal consulting geologist at LEI Advisory.
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under your leadership: I lead seven professionals
Management Style: I am a transformational leader and I always encourage my subordinates to think outside the box and be innovative, especially because we want to grow the business. I also find great joy when someone achieves something that everyone else thought was impossible to achieve
Personal Best Achievement: Completing my MBA degree
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Dr Lerato Bapela – she has always believed in me and my capabilities, and has been my professional and spiritual mentor since 2012
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Barrick Gold CEO Mark Bristow
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Patrice Motsepe – I like the diversification of his business portfolio
Philosophy of Life: Do not be hard on yourself; everyone is running their own race
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being awarded a scholarship to study for an MBA at Warwick Business School, in the UK, in 2017. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, I could not pursue it
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing my maternal grandmother while I was in Grade 10; I had big plans for her
Hope for the Future: To build an empire for my children and their children to have a sustainable life
Favourite Reading: Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki
Favourite TV Programme: I watch any programme on the DStv travel channel
Favourite Food/Drink: Dumplings, beef stew and a glass of red wine
Favourite Music: Jazz and gospel
Favourite Sport: Cricket
Hobbies: Reading and travelling
Car: Mercedes-Benz C220
Pets: None
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who look down on other people because of their poor background
Married: To Bongani Bomax Nyathi
Children: Simesihle Qhawe Nyathi, 14 months
Clubs: None