Chipping away at glass ceilings

At Northam Platinum Holdings roughly 20% of its workforce comprises women. This is no accident. The group has for years been working at attracting, retaining and developing women in line with its approach to gender diversity. Although the process is not yet complete, in many areas the integration of women into workstreams has now become so commonplace it is difficult to conceive of a time when men were so supremely dominant in the industry.

Against this background, assistant company secretary Cole Msimanga quotes Sheryl Sandberg, who said, “In future there will be no female leaders, there will just be leaders.” Nevertheless, Msimanga remains conscious of her role as a woman mentor and is not unrealistic about some of the gender disparities that persist in many companies and workplaces. However, with her positive disposition Msimanga urges women to grasp opportunities and to get the best out of education and training - learning new skills, and embracing the networking and mentorship environment they find themselves in.

Msimanga lives her mantra and is always looking for opportunities to learn from her colleagues, broadening her knowledge base, and at the same time acting as the conduit of knowledge and skills so that other women can learn, progress and achieve.

Sharing of knowledge and ideas appears to be an important aspect of women’s leadership styles. Marketing manager Karen Otto and plant manager at Booysendal Mpho Ntokoto are passionate about listening to new and fresh ideas. Says Otto, “fresh thinking should be given an opportunity to be heard, and we should all aim to work smarter not harder.”

Ntokoto is not afraid to learn from her juniors either. She is quick to add “I like to influence individuals who will take charge.”

Ntokoto, who works in the magical world of platinum beneficiation, says her management style can be described as “hybrid” and she relies on both decisive and assertive conduct on the one hand, and transformational leadership on the other.  “In a mining environment safety is a non-negotiable – there simply isn’t the luxury of time to discuss the merits or otherwise of a certain required behaviour on the job.”

Mine overseer Sessy Sulman has come a long way since she achieved her B Tech degree in mining engineering. With her sights set on the position of general manager Sulman is already planning on additional studies to equip herself on which is a very ambitious career journey in the mining industry. This is no pipe dream, and with Sulman’s methodical approach she is fully aware of every onerous step along the way.

Cole Msimanga, Karen Otto, Mpho Ntokoto and Sessy Sulman occupy very diverse positions within the group, illustrating that women can prosper at any level or occupation they choose. The key to their success is hard work and a positive attitude, and, as Otto concludes: “Work hard, persevere, and always do your best – this is not negotiable. Do not be side tracked by matters that are not adding value to your career or life. The key is to make good choices.”