But Mr Dlamini has chosen to stay within one field and hone his skills over many years.

Mr Dlamini, blessed with a dogged determination, support from senior people inside and outside the group, and an ability to adapt to alien environments, stayed the course.

Although Mr Dlamini will not have operational oversight of the mining businesses in South Africa, which range from platinum to coal, he will have a seat on the group’s executive committee in London.