Theo Mashego

Full Name: Theo Mashego

Position: MD of Unidrive Electric Motors
Main Activity of the Company: Unidrive Electric Motors supplies and repairs ac and dc motors, submersible pumps, industrial gearboxes and vibrator motors

Date and Place of Birth: April 24, 1987

Education: Postgraduate diploma in business administration, Wits Business School; programme in business management, University of South Africa; management advancement programme, Wits Business School; information technology engineering diploma, CTI; various information technology- (IT-) related certifications. I am currently an MBA candidate at Wits Business School

First Job: Stock packing

Career History Prior to Current Position: I worked at Digital Planet from 2006 to 2009, and at NetsurIT from 2009 to 2011, before joining Sun International as senior IT operations systems engineer at Sun City Resort and later moving to Deloitte & Touche’s Group Information Services, where I spent two years. Thereafter, I cofounded Ayanda@Work, which later merged with Unidrive Electric Motors

Size of First Pay Packet: R3 500 a month

First Job with Present Group: Operations Manager at Ayanda@Work, before it merged with Unidrive Electric Motors

Value of Assets under Your Control: About R10-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 17 permanent staff members

Management Style: A hybrid of persuasive and consultative management

Personal Best Achievement: Being appointed CEO of Unleashing Leadership Potential

Professional Best Achievement: Leading the merger of Unidrive and Ayanda@Work, giving both companies a new lease of life, not only preserving employment but also creating more jobs

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Founder and chairperson of Unleashing Leadership Potential, Maurice Radebe

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Patrice Motsepe

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Phuthuma Nhleko

Philosophy of Life: Hard work produces results

Biggest-Ever Opportunity: Starting a business

Biggest-Ever Disappointment: Getting two orders in two years since starting our business

Hope for the Future: That we grow the business, employ more people and increase shareholder value

Favourite Reading: Biographies, autobiographies and leadership books. I am currently reading My Own Liberator, by retired Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke

Favourite TV Programme: The Grand Tour

Favourite Food/Drink: Fillet and ribeye steak

Favourite Music: I am more of a talk radio person

Favourite Sport: Soccer

Favourite Website: www.nike.com

Hobbies: I am trying my hand at golf

Car: VW

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Poor performers

Favourite Other South African Company: NetsurIT

Favourite Foreign Company: Berkshire Hathaway

Married: To Simphiwe Mashego, since December 8, 2012

Children: Mayande, 2; Morongwa, ten months

Clubs: Momentum World of Golf