Full Name: David Meintjes

Position and Company Name: CEO of Telviva

Main Activity of the Company: Telviva is a South African market leader in cloud-based communications that strives to enable better-quality conversations for businesses through context-driven Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) and Contact Centre as a Service (CCaaS). Delivered as a managed service, the company’s solutions integrate with back-end business systems and other cloud tools, providing historical context for informed interactions

Date and Place of Birth: June 21, Durban, South Africa

Schools and Tertiary Education: Matric, Port Natal High School; BCom (Hons) and MCom, Rand Afrikaans University (now the University of Johannesburg); CA (SA)

First Job: Bank teller at Volkskas

Size of First Pay Packet: R247 a month – in those days, a cold drink cost about R2!

Career Path to Date: My early roles included auditing and consulting for PwC, and CFO and COO positions in the food services and logistics sectors, working with companies such as Pleasure Foods (franchisor: Wimpy, Juicy Luicy, Milky Lane, WhistleStop, Pizza Hut) and National Brands (logistics). I have also been involved in the commercial Internet business in the country since its start, having served as financial director, commercial director and then CEO of UUNET SA, the first commercial Internet service provider in South Africa, in 1996. Other key roles in the telecommunications industry include CEO of Verizon Business SA, COO of Korbitec, and chairperson of Connectnet. I joined Telviva, formerly Connection Telecom, in January 2010

Value of Assets under Your Control: About R250-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 115

Management Style: My management style can be described as: leading through example, knowing that everyone can influence a decision with great input, and that the sum of the parts is stronger than an individual hero; “territorial politics" are like weeds in the garden; do not carry passengers; we are all on a journey of continuous learning

Personal Best Achievement: Getting married to my wife Jenni

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Two of the chairpersons I worked with

Philosophy of Life: Life is a journey – enjoy the journey; milestones are good, however, detours are very interesting from time to time

Biggest Ever Opportunity: When the Internet started

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not working for myself sooner

Hope for the Future: We live in a fantastic country with fantastic people

Favourite Reading: Ayn Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged

Favourite TV Programme: Sport and Velvet

Favourite Food/Drink: Chenin Blanc or a Shiraz

Favourite Music: Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World

Favourite Sport: Waterpolo

Hobbies: Golf, hiking, cycling and swimming

Car: One that moves from point to point consistently with enough power

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogant, self-indulgent people

Married: To Jenni

Children: Ilan, Ben and Jannike

Clubs: De Zalze Golf Club