We question head of Anglo American Zimele Larisha Naidoo
15 August 2019 - 05:00
Head of Anglo American Zimele Larisha Naidoo. Picture: SUPPLIED
What’s your one top tip for doing a deal?
Do a thorough due diligence on all facts and assumptions.
What was your first job?
A teller at Standard Bank.
How much was your first pay cheque, and how did you spend it?
R2,000 and I used my entire salary for driving lessons.
What’s the one thing you wish somebody had told you when you were starting out?
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
What is the art of the possible?
Nominate your eighth wonder of the world.
Snorkelling in the Maldives.
What’s the most interesting thing about you that people don’t know?
I did bharatanatyam dancing, which is a genre of classical dance originating from Tamil Nadu, India. I love arts, especially in the form of music and dance.
How satisfied are you with how our democracy has shaped up since 1994?
There is still a lot to do and even more to fix, but I am moderately satisfied from the perspective that there are different forces that pull together, proving that South Africans are special and will fight against all odds for what they want and deserve.
What is the one investment you wish you had made, or made earlier?
I should have purchased more Kumba Iron Ore shares in 2016.
Tell us about a hidden gem in SA that not many people know about?
Tredici restaurant, Swellendam.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Seeing people in desperate poverty and vulnerability.
How would you set about fixing SA’s job crisis?
Focus on developing women and young people with relevant skills that will allow them access to job opportunities and further empower them to evolve their ideas into something tangible to positively impact SA.
Was there ever a point at which you wanted to trade it all in for a different career? And if so, what would that career be?
No, there hasn’t been; I am doing exactly what I am truly passionate about … how fortunate I am!
