Vodacom CEO Pieter Uys seems uncomfortable talking about himself. He deflects questions about his personal life by either relating them back to work somehow, or by ignoring them completely.

A question about his kids gets an answer about how children are so technology-savvy these days, while asking about his hobbies sparks off a story about a road race sponsored by Vodacom. Uys not only talks the corporate line, he also looks the part, and admits he’s only removed his tie to honour the idea of an ‘informal’ interview. He’s earnest, yet eager too, and if you persist, he gradually opens up enough to share some personal thoughts and philosophies.