Full Name: Siyabonga Mbanjwa
Position: Regional MD of SENER
Main Activity of the Company: SENER is involved in energy, including renewable energy, power and oil and gas, as well as infrastructure, including high-speed rail, ports, airports, water, tunnels, bridges and roads
Date and Place of Birth: May 21, 1974
Education: BSc (Hons) (construction management), University of Cape Town; MSc (project management), University of Pretoria (UP); MBA), UP; international executive development programme, Wits Business School and London Business School
First Job: Junior site engineer at Murray & Roberts Construction
Career History Prior to Current Position: MD, Crowie Concessions & Crowie Projects; regional manager, Old Mutual Properties; project manager, South African Reserve Bank, site engineer: Murray & Roberts Construction
Size of First Pay Packet: R4 100 a month
First Job with Present Group: Regional MD: Southern Africa
Value of Assets under Your Control: SENER Southern Africa’s share on recent projects totals about R7-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 60 indirect reports in operations and maintenance special-purpose vehicles
Management Style: I prefer to let others take responsibility for their own actions and be accountable when things go wrong
Personal Best Achievement: Completing my first master’s degree
Professional Best Achievement: As project manager, crafting the first project I worked on from inception to preparing the brief, leading the design and planning phase and ensuring that funding was in place and that construction was completed within budget
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: my parents
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My father
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Chief Albert Luthuli
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Jack Walsh
Philosophy of Life: If you really want something, don’t give up when doors close on you – keep pushing until the doors open
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being accepted as one of the first students at the Uthongathi NEST school, which was established in 1987 as South Africa’s first fully multiracial co-ed school
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing my grandmother only a couple of years after starting my career
Hope for the Future: To make a meaningful contribution to the development of infrastructure in Southern Africa
Favourite Reading: The Goal, by Eliyahu Goldratt
Favourite TV Programme: ’Sgudi ’Snaysi
Favourite Food/Drink: Rice and beans/Steelworks
Favourite Music: R & B
Favourite Sport: Basketball
Favourite Website: www.southernafrica.sener
Hobbies: Golf, cycling and running
Car: BMW X5
Pets: Until recently, we had two dogs: a Jack Russell and a dachshund
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogance and being disrespectful
Favourite Other South African Company: Naspers
Favourite Foreign Company: Google
Married: To Jazz Mbanjwa, since December 12, 2003
Children: Ziyanda,19; Ande, 12; Mabande, 5
Clubs: Cycle Lab, the World of Golf and Eagle Canyon Golf Club