Azikho Ncolosi

Harmony Gold graduate geologist at Masimong mine, Azikho Ncolosi’s current role is equivalent to shaft geologist. She provides specialist geological information for mine service, underground information used for mine design purposes, as well as plotting and updating the faces and geological structures on the survey plans. Ncolosi is also responsible for underground ore body management and communicating geological findings to different mining departments. Born and raised in the Eastern Cape, Ncolosi moved to the Free State province where she matriculated from Lebogang Senior Secondary School in Thabong location in Welkom. She enrolled at Fort Hare University for a Geology degree and subsequently acquired an honours degree in 2021 in the same field. Regarding her management style, Ncolosi states,  “Every generation has leaders who stand out due to their positive impact and influence in their industry and society. My management style aims to be among those leaders in my generation tirelessly working to make mining a career of choice for young people and contributing significantly to its growth and sustainability." She considers her best achievement thus far as being a Harmony Bursar and obtaining her honours degree in geology. One person she would like to meet is former Miss South Africa 2020 Shudufhadzo Musida, whom she admires for emphasising the importance of finding one's voice and recognising one's strength. Her philosophy of life is that it does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop. Her message for other women leaders in the South African business community is to send soft energy to all women in leadership roles who have had to be strong, tough and rough to survive their physical realities. “You always fought to survive, but you deserve to flow through life.”

Makale Mokgoetsi 

Was born on December 11, 1992, in Johannesburg and is an acting mine overseer at Target #1. Mokgoetsi holds a Diploma in Mining Engineering and a BTech in Mining Engineering. She uses a democratic management style because she wants the team to feel and know that their inputs matter. Her personal best achievement was receiving the Harmony Gold Bursar of the year 2013 and 2015. Her philosophy of life is that anything is possible if you put your mind and heart into it. As Walt Disney said, "all our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them". Mokgoetsi would like to meet Kumba Iron Ore CEO Nompumelelo Zikalala, the first female to head Kumba. “She is an inspiration to me and many other women in the industry," she says. Her message to other women is that “we should not by any means doubt what we are capable of achieving. There is no limit to what we can accomplish. Our time is now!”

Ncebakazi Xobiso

Born on August 13, 1988, in Flagstaff, Eastern Cape, Xobiso works works at Doornkop Mine in tramming and cleaning haulage as a loader driver, a role where female participation is notably scarce. With an education up to Grade 11, Xobiso believes in a management style that emphasises mentorship and guidance. She views a good manager as a mentor who provides instructions, support, encouragement and constructive feedback, setting clear expectations and leading by example to inspire teams to strive for excellence. Her personal best achievement is completing a computer course, making her the first person in her family to learn how to operate a computer. Ambitious about her career, Xobiso aspires to become a team leader and miner, aiming to further develop her skills and lead by example. She would most like to meet Patrice Motsepe to gain insights from his successful business experiences. Xobiso's philosophy of life is that it is an endless journey of learning, evolving and self-discovery, believing that a growth mindset allows us to expand our knowledge, develop new skills, and adapt to ever-changing circumstances. 

Ntombizodwa Julia Danisa

Forty-four year old Ntombizodwa Julia Danisa is a stoping shiftboss at Phakisa and was born at Kutlwanong location block 1 but grew up in kuTsolo in the Eastern Cape. Danisa has been in the mining industry for 18 years. After enrolling in the Adult Education Training programme, which she completed in record time, Danisa received her Blasting Certificate through the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. “Women who occupy leadership positions in male-dominated industries should be celebrated,” she says. “I am incredibly proud of how far I have come and I am grateful to be working with such a dedicated team.” Danisa would like to meet Harmony Gold COO Beyers Nel because she would like to learn from him. 

Precious Maleke

Born on May 17, 1985, in Butha-Buthe, Lesotho, is the Kusasalethu Mine Assistant Human Resources Officer. She holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree and is known for her democratic and transformational management style. Valuing team participation, input and collaboration, Maleke inspires and motivates her team to achieve a shared vision. She is committed to making a difference in people's lives and recognises the mutual dependence between a manager and their team, emphasising the importance of teamwork and building strong relationships with her colleagues. Maleke's personal best achievement is completing her LLB and being the first in her family to graduate. She wishes she could have met Maya Angelou, who passed away in 2014. Her philosophy of life is that, despite its challenges, life is a blessing to be lived with gratitude and meaning. Her message to other women leaders in the South African business community is to ensure that you positively impact someone's life every day.

Sylvia Seleka 

Harmony Gold’s Group Talent Manager was born on December 10  and raised in Mabopane, north of Pretoria. She is responsible for Harmony’s global talent management strategy and leadership development and is a passionate advocate for Women in Mining. Seleka holds multiple degrees, including Psychology and Industrial Psychology, an Honours in Industrial Psychology, and a Master of Commerce in Industrial and Organisational Psychology. She is currently pursuing an Executive PhD. She believes in a collaborative and inclusive management style, fostering team spirit and building morale. Her personal best achievement is being a mother to a son who recently qualified as a Computer Engineer and a daughter currently completing her Matric. Seleka aspires to meet former US First Lady Michelle Obama, admiring her authenticity and leadership skills, especially under the pressures of being the first Black First Lady in the US. Seleka's life philosophy is that physical health is the cornerstone of improved mental capacity, and together with emotional wellbeing, it ensures the successful fulfillment of our duties and roles.

Tembela Mbangela

Was born on October 10, 1972, in Elucwecwe, Eastern Cape. The Tshepong mine overseer holds an Ns Management Assistant qualification which she obtained at Welkom College. Mbangela’s personal best achievement has been becoming a mine overseer, especially because it is a position usually designated to males. Her management style is similar to that of a sporting coach because she always strives to bring the best out of her team members to improve performance and long-term success. “I would love to meet Oprah Winfrey. She is my role model, she stands out among many people because of her ability to feel others’ pain and help them get though troubled times,” she says. Her philosophy in life is to value things that make you happy and are essential rather than value the idea of just focusing on material gain.  Mbangela’s message to other women in South Africa is that they still have the opportunity to improve themselves and break barriers, while acknowledging their responsibility to pave the way for future generations. 

Thato Mataboge

Gold miner Harmony Gold’s Mponeng Mine Senior Accountant Thato Mataboge was born on July 6, 1987, in Lenasia. She focuses on improving financial controls and reviewing financial policies, working with her team to translate financial data into meaningful information for decision-making. Mataboge is currently on a journey to become a qualified Chartered Global Management Accountant, holding a BCom in Finance from the University of Johannesburg, a CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting, certifications in Financial Modelling and Valuation Analysis, and Operational Management from Stellenbosch University. She also completed a Leadership Development Programme with distinction, earning the Top Student award in her class from Enterprises University of Pretoria. Her management style is 
coaching-orientated, emphasising the continuous development and learning of her team to help them reach their full potential. Her personal best achievement is becoming the first Black senior accountant at the world’s deepest mine. She admires Boipelo Lekubo, the Financial Director, for her graceful achievements and her support of other women, drawing inspiration from her example. Mataboge’s philosophy of life is encapsulated by Mark Twain’s quote, “Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear, and the blind can see,” highlighting the universal and transformative power of kindness. 

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