Gone are the days when women in the mining sector only play minimal roles. Now, they deservedly occupy higher positions, command respect and possess the necessary expertise in this male-dominated sector. However, there are still hurdles that they say must be removed.
The advancement of women in mining has been hailed as a bold and progressive step in the sector where gender stereotypes are still rife. This enthusiastic mother of four, Tebogo Mosito, a human resource consultant by profession, quit her regular job to venture into mining.
Not as an employee but as an entrepreneur. She soon obtained a qualification in steel engineering. She would later establish a female-owned steel engineering and mining support business. Currently, her company employs more than 50 people.
The 42-year-old Mosito does not settle for crumbs but goes for big projects in the sector. These include boiler making, mechanical fitting, pipe fitting and structural engineering, amongst others.
“I see myself as a successful person because when I started the business I started with a zero balance, but today I also as a woman entrepreneur understand the financials of my business and I’m able to invest in assets that are helping the business to grow, unlike when I started. I didn’t know how to grow this business. I’ve persevered. I’ve been through so many challenges. I understand. I’ve learnt through my failures,” says Mosito.
When asked about the challenges faced in the line of duty, this is what she had to say.
“I’ve been in the business for ten years. I am capable of doing some of the big projects, but we are always required to partner on joint ventures with other big companies who are not even willing to give us equal share or just to give us an opportunity to gain more skills so that we can be independent. So, as women it’s very frustrating that we always have to be sub-contractors.
Not far from her office, we met three female managers at one of Impala Platinum’s operations. After years of service, they are now at the senior management level at the mine.
“Part of my responsibilities as well, also include that, from a woman’s perspective, we groom those that are behind, so that we set them up for success in future where there are prospective vacancies or roles,” Manager Concentrator, Skhumbuzo Nokwane.
“If you look at my journey from the way I started as a consultant, receptionist and a social affairs manager, and today heading up a department, it’s evident that women are capable. It’s evident that women make it in the industry. And it’s evident that women have got the capacity to do that which in the past used to be known as male-dominated functions,” says Head, Stakeholder Engagement Tina Malau.
These women trailblazers have to strike a balance between their jobs and personal lives.
“I do wear different hats, currently; I’m wearing a mine manager hat. I’m on the job. I also wear another hat, where I’m someone’s sister. I’m someone’s partner. I’m a community member and all of those hats require me to pay a 100% attention. So, I’m very deliberate in what I do throughout my day, throughout my month, to make sure that I do not stop in any area of my life,” Mine Manager Nonkululeko Mabuza.
While they made inroads into the sector, gender stereotypes persist and the common statement is ”do away with that”.
