Full Name: Japie du Plessis

Position and Company Name: MD of Cementation Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Underground contract mining

Date and Place of Birth: November 8, 1979, Frankfort, Free State

Schools and Tertiary Education: I matriculated at Hoërskool Lichtenburg in 1997 and went on to graduate with a BEng (Mechanical) degree from Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (now North-West University)

First Job: I was an exposure-year student with Anglo American Platinum prior to going to university as a bursary student

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 900 a month

Career Path to Date: My career started off as a junior engineer with Anglo American Platinum. After being appointed as a section engineer, it took a detour through the sugar industry in the Mpumalanga Lowveld. I joined Murray & Roberts Cementation in 2008 as a site engineer and progressed through different roles until my appointment as MD in March 2023

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: Around 2 000

Management Style: Transformational

Personal Best Achievement: I will tell you in a few years

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Growing up, the people who influenced me the most were my parents – they showed me what it means to work hard and what the word ‘integrity’ means in practice. I am lucky to still have both of them. Currently, it is my beautiful wife Karin, who is my biggest supporter. She afforded me the opportunity to take on opportunities that helped shape my career during a period when our children were still very young

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: I am blessed to have had several great mentors throughout my career. As a young graduate engineer, I was privileged to work alongside a group of great engineers at Anglo American Platinum in Dave Campher, the late Graham Burn and Lappies Labuschagne. Later, my engagements with Hennie Snyman, MD of Tsb Sugar, and Phillip Barton, CEO of De Beers Consolidated Mines, as well as Henry Laas, CEO of Murray & Roberts, helped shape the way I think about leadership. I now have the opportunity to pay it forward

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Entrepreneur and philanthropist Johann Rupert

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Johann Rupert

Philosophy of Life: Dream BIG and work hard!

Biggest Ever Opportunity: To be part of the management team that will lead Cementation Africa on its new journey of growth

Biggest Ever Disappointment: None

Favourite Reading: Trade publications, newspapers and business publications

Favourite TV Programme: Not stated

Favourite Food/Drink: Braaivleis and wine

Favourite Music: 80’s & 90’s rock and alternative music

Favourite Sport: Cricket, rugby and motorsport

Hobbies: Golf and hunting

Car: Toyota Landcruiser bakkie

Pets: Three dogs

Miscellaneous Dislikes: None

Married: To Karin

Children: Jean, 13; Mila, 12

Clubs: Cobra Dark Speed irons and a Titleist GT2 driver!