Tell us about your early childhood . Where do you come from ?
I was born in Durban — a “ child of the sixties ”. We lived in Mooi River when I started school . Then a short spell in Paarl in the Western Cape before completing my schooling in Pietermaritzburg , back in KwaZulu-Natal . My memories of early childhood are filled with outdoor activities as there was not much indoors to keep our attention — apart from the radio . Playing outside , building forts , riding go-carts , playing sports — that was the order of the day for my friends and I . I was almost in my teens before television came to South Africa , so we had to find ways to keep ourselves busy and amused .
Tell us more about your parents . What role did they play in your upbringing and later in life ?
In conversation with ...
Vaughan
Rimbault
Vaughan Rimbault is a mechanical engineer , the former CEO of the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering and an independent Trustee on the PPS Holdings Trust Board .
My parents separated when I was young . I grew up with my mom and two sisters but saw my dad regularly . Mom was dedicated to our education and upbringing and instilled values in us kids . Being a single parent , she showed me the importance of sticking to your guns and insisting on good service . She was not afraid to speak up when she saw something wrong . My dad showed me how to influence people by treating them properly . He always went out of his way to make others comfortable and feel special , and they responded positively .
Why did you decide to become an engineer ?
I had always been interested in fiddling with broken things at home . I was also academically very strong in mathematics and physical science . However , I did not really know what an engineer did when I decided to study further , but the influence of my school guidance counsellor and
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