Sandvik: Driving female development in the mining industry

Sandvik Mining & Rock Solutions believes in the development of women in the mining sector, and through its gender diversity strategy is committed to bringing more women into this traditionally male-dominated field. Sandvik invests in initiatives and programmes that empower and uplift women, promoting their participation in mining through education, mentorship and skills development. The company’s efforts demonstrate a recognition that the future of mining will be shaped by a more diverse workforce, inclusive leadership and equal opportunities for all.

ROFHIWA LIGUDU - SALES ENGINEER

Rofhiwa Ligudu currently works as a sales engineer at Sandvik Mining & Rock Solutions. She holds a Geology degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration. Just a year after joining the company, she was promoted to sales engineer and earned her Postgraduate Diploma from GIBS. Ligudu employs a people-centric management style, believing that business thrives when individuals are happy, productive and achieving their highest potential. She emphasises the importance of engaging with her team and being considerate of their needs. She would most like to meet Malala Yousafzai and Michelle Obama, being fascinated by their courage to defy norms and break new grounds, and she is curious about the mindset they possess to achieve extraordinary results. Ligudu’s philosophy of life is “failure is impossible,” a quote by Susan B. Anthony that encourages her to try regardless of the difficulty of the task or criticism received. Even if things do not go as planned, she sees the opportunity to learn from the experience and encourages a growth mindset. Her Christian faith is a key part of her life and work, stating that it would be impossible for her to achieve what she has without it.

NTOMBANA MABENA - BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Ntombana Mabena is currently a business development manager at Sandvik Mining & Rock Solutions. She has undergone the programme for management development and is presently enrolled for a Post Graduate Diploma in Management Practice. Ntombana adopts a transformational management style, using knowledge, experience and coaching to run her teams effectively. Her proudest achievement is starting a non-profit organisation that ensures a safe and quality education for 31 high school learners from rural areas, providing mentorship, tutoring and resources for their educational pursuits. She would most like to meet Oprah Winfrey and holds the philosophy that each individual, with their unique strengths, is brought onto earth to serve the greater good of families and society. Mabena believes that localisation, through strategic partnerships, is key to market development and business expansion.