INTERVIEW Fast making
INTERVIEW Fast making strides in mining Mpumalanga Business spoke with two trailblazing miners who work at Exxaro’s Leeuwpan Coal Mine, Johanne Struwig and Bontle Mtshengu. Plant Manager Struwig was a finalist in the Top Young Achiever of the Year category of the 2019 Standard Bank Top Women of the Year awards, while Engineering Manager Mtshengu won the award in the category, Top Gender Empowered Organisation: Resources. Bontle Mtshengu BIOGRAPHY Bontle’s 18-year journey in mining has encompassed iron ore, minerals sands, gold, platinum and now coal. Her promotion in 2017 to Engineering Manager, where she now leads a team of more than 200, made her the first female to hold that post in Exxaro. She started her career as a mechanical technician and worked her way up to become an engineer. She has a Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) mines and works, and a diploma in mechanical engineering and is studying for a BTech. How did you choose mining as a career? BM: Born in a rural small village called Cassel in the Northern Cape, my mother was a teacher in a primary school and my dad a truck operator in one of the mines. I found myself in a boarding school 700km away from home and coincidentally landed in a class with technical subjects in Grade 9. I fell in love with subjects like technical drawing and electricity. Mining became a natural choice when I was given an opportunity to do in-service training in one of the mining houses and thereafter received a bursary. JS: I think the mining industry chose me. I initially studied in the chemistry field. After I got a bursary from Exxaro, I started to work in mining and fell in love with operations and the culture. When did you know this was a good choice? BM: I eventually got exposed to maintenance management environment and truly fell in love with that. The training I received was remarkable. When I acquired the government certificate of competency (GCC) is when I knew I had made a good choice: having that legal appointment and seeing one’s contribution to the industry is the most satisfying feeling. JS: On Leeuwpan mine, I have had the opportunity to be involved in value chain operations from a technical point of view as well as business. I fell in love with the adrenaline of operations, the pride of mobilising people and overcoming a very challenging environment. Did you encounter obstacles on your mining career path? BM: Most women were recruited into positions and left there to fend for themselves. Basic needs like sanitary facilities, personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety underground were not available for women. Men were not made ready for this change. It was a shock to everyone. JS: I was privileged that Leeuwpan created a positive environment for my development. I had to learn through tough mistakes how to develop emotional intelligence. I started out trying to conform and it was only after I showed my own identity and being OK with that, that I really flourished. MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2019/20 42
What has helped you the most along the way? INTERVIEW BM: Ensuring that I’m competent at what I do, always asking questions and continuously learning new things. Certain people I met along the way, currently my two leaders (Mangaliso Sethethi and Baltimore Miles) and my mentor (Hemuna Bhola) have been playing a vital role in my development. JS: The most important building block of my career was mentoring. Through these mentoring relationships I found my rhythm allowing me to dance to beat of my own drum. Johanne Struwig BIOGRAPHY With a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Johanne was the first women (and youngest) Plant Manager to be appointed by Exxaro Resources at the Leeuwpan Coal operation. With a speciality in mineral processing, she also has diplomas in management and training in risk management. She previously worked as a metallurgical engineer and has been applying metallurgical principles to optimise coal beneficiation strategies. As a leader, Johanne has always built solid relationships with internal and external stakeholders. How did you feel to be nominated for the awards? BM: This was a very humbling experience; this award means a lot for me. It means my contribution is recognised. However, this also comes with a vast responsibility to pave a way for young upcoming women to ensure they don’t go through the same experience I went through. JS: It was probably one of the proudest moments of my life. I am truly humbled and want to thank Mangaliso Sethethi (LPN BU manager) for believing in me and making me believe in myself. Is the current mining environment better for women? BM: The industry has made significant strides in executing transformation and promoting gender. A gap still exists in converting women in technical positions to senior and board management levels. More work must be done to create a space that is more accommodating to everyone, a space where diversity is embraced and a place where our differences make us strong. JS: I suppose it is. Over the past 10 years, women went from being tolerated to being accepted and even respected. Women are not appointed for the sake of statistics but as decision-makers and change-drivers in core positions. However, the way women approach the mining environment has also evolved. Women are more confident, which allows them to really show their competence. LPN specifically has also embraced diversity to the fullest and proved the value it adds to a business. What should be prioritised to empower women? BM: Companies need to develop clear strategies that focus on development and empowerment of women within businesses. This could include retention, fast-tracking programmes and executive mentorship programmes. Women also need to embrace the challenge and use the opportunity to empower themselves and others. JS: Growing and making a difference in the mining industry requires confidence, it requires women to be authentic. It requires us to be strong under pressure. It also requires us to remain women because that is what makes all the difference. As female leaders we have the responsibility to teach this to every lady that wants to make it in this industry through mentoring and coaching. 43 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2019/20
