Full Name: Nosiphiwo Mzamo

Position and Company Name: CEO of the State Diamond Trader

Main Activity of the Company: The State Diamond Trader is a State-owned entity operating in the diamond industry that aims to grow local diamond beneficiation. Its mandates include buying and selling rough diamonds, promoting equitable access to and beneficiation of the country’s diamond resources, and addressing the historical exclusion of certain population groups from economic participation. The entity seeks to expand South Africa’s diamond cutting and polishing industry by enabling and increasing the participation of historically disadvantaged South Africans in the diamond beneficiation industry. Empowered by law, it is authorised to purchase up to 10% of the run-of-mine production from all diamond producers in South Africa and sells to registered customers through an application and approval process

Date and Place of Birth: May 22, 1978, East London

Schools and Tertiary Education: MBA, Regenesys Business School, 2018; Graduate Diploma in Engineering (Mining), University of the Witwatersrand, 2014; BSc (Hons): Geology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2005; BSc: Geology and Geographic Information Systems, University of Fort Hare, 1998; National Senior Certificate, Wongalethu High School, 1994

First Job: Junior geologist at Trans Hex Mining Company

Size of First Pay Packet: R8 500 a month

Career Path to Date: After working as a junior geologist at Trans Hex from 2001 to 2003, I joined De Beers Consolidated Mines, serving as mine geologist at The Oaks mine from 2003 to 2005 and as exploration projects geologist from 2005 to 2006. I then moved to the Industrial Development Corporation as project manager in the Mining Strategic Business Unit, before returning to De Beers as projects and planning leader at Kimberley Mines, a position I held for about two years. From August 2009 to April 2010, I was superintendent of mine services at Forskor’s Phalaborwa Mining Division. Thereafter, I worked for Mintek as senior manager of the Mneralogy Division from May 2010 to February 2018, senior manager of the Analytical Services Division from March 2018 to February 2019 and as executive human resources manager from March 2019 to September 2023, when I left to join the State Diamond Trader as CEO

Value of Assets under Your Control: R130-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 32

Management Style: Democratic

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My two daughters

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Different people have influenced me on different levels, but Abe Mngomezulu and Sakhi Simelane have had a significant impact on my management experience

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Dr Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka – I am inspired by the way she managed to influence the mining industry when she was the Minister of Minerals and Energy, as well as by the broader role she played in government. At times, I feel she is the President this country was denied

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Mteto Nyathi

Philosophy of Life: ‘Humility is the true key to success. Successful people lose their way at times. They often embrace and overindulge from the fruits of success. Humility halts this arrogance and self-indulging trap. Humble people share the credit and wealth, remaining focused and hungry to continue the journey of success.’ – Rick Pitino

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being awarded a bursary to study at university

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Being overlooked for positions in the past

Hope for the Future: That I change and impact people’s lives through my current role

Favourite Reading: Leadership books

Favourite TV Programme: I am not a TV person; I watch romantic movies and mini-series when I get the time

Favourite Food/Drink: Seafood

Favourite Music: Gospel and amapiano

Favourite Sport: Netball – one of my daughters plays it

Hobbies: Cooking

Car: I currently drive a BMW but would love to own a Range Rover and a Bentley one day

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who don’t respect time

Married: Single

Children: Aqhama, 23; Okuhle, 13

Clubs: World of Golf