Full Name: Shumani Madanda

Position and Company Name: CEO of Bombela Maintenance

Main Activity of the Company: Bombela Maintenance is a special-purpose company that maintains the core railway system of the Gautrain rapid rail system, with the scope of its work including the maintenance of 96 Electrostar cars, 153 km of track, the CITYFLO 250 signalling system, six 25 kV substations, 21 km of conductor rail for the tunnel section, and 135 km of catenary wire system. Bombela Maintenance is also responsible for maintaining automatic fare collection systems and communication systems, as well as way and workshop equipment

Date and Place of Birth: August 12, 1978, Sibasa, Limpopo

Schools and Tertiary Education: BSc (Electronic Engineering), University of KwaZulu-Natal; MEng (Engineering Maintenance), University of Pretoria; Professional Engineer, Engineering Council of South Africa

First Job: Engineer-in-training at Transnet

Size of First Pay Packet: It was small

Career Path to Date: Transnet, Gibb and Alstom

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: 135

Management Style: Collaborative

Personal Best Achievement: Becoming CEO of Bombela Maintenance

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

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

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: None

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Outgoing Eskom CEO André de Ruyter

Philosophy of Life: Anything can be achieved through learning, persistence and perseverance

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Getting a bursary to study engineering at university

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not winning the lotto

Hope for the Future: That there is economic growth and the eradication of poverty, unemployment and inequality in South Africa

Favourite Reading: Biographies

Favourite TV Programme: Live sports, mostly football, Formula 1 and tennis

Favourite Food/Drink: Steak and red wine

Favourite Music: Local music

Favourite Sport: Football

Hobbies: Running, football, Formula 1 and chess

Car: Jeep Compass

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: None

Married: Yes, for 16 years now

Children: One, aged 9

Clubs: None