Network - Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA)

Recorded at WiMSA’s Women’s Month event in Johannesburg, “Switch On Your Strengths!” features Gill How in an engaging and thought-provoking conversation about recognising the strengths we already possess — and learning how to use them with greater confidence and intention.

Drawing on her experience in leadership and personal development, Gill explores what it means to understand what energises us, build on our natural strengths and bring more of who we are to the way we work and lead. Whether you attended the event or are hearing Gill’s talk for the first time, this episode offers practical…

In this episode, WiMSA Board Chair, Noleen Pauls is joined by Megan Jarvis, partner at Webber Wentzel, and Dr Jeannette McGill, mining executive and geoscientist, for a candid conversation about the realities of being a woman in mining and professional services.

They reflect on a time when women were barred from working underground, share defining career moments that demanded grit and resilience, and explore how unconscious bias still shapes workplace dynamics today. The discussion moves beyond struggle to focus on leadership, emotional intelligence, mentorship, and the power of women…

Voices for safety in our homes and mines.

In this episode of WiMSA’s Voices for Safety campaign against GBV, Mogaleadi speaks with Sazini Mojapelo, the Global Gender GBV Lead at the IFC, about the urgent need to confront gender-based violence in our workplaces. Together, they unpack how history, culture, and power dynamics shape behaviour in our society and workplaces. They dig into why achieving true gender equality starts with eliminating violence in all its forms, from harassment and bullying to intimidation and emotional harm. This conversation goes beyond awareness. It offers practical…

Celebrating groundbreaking WiM with over 20 years of experience!

In celebration of International Day of Women in Mining (IDWIM), Mogaleadi hosts a powerful and heartfelt conversation with two inspiring trailblazers in the mining industry — Dineo Mosimanyane (Mining Shift Coordinator) and Faith Phiri (Mechanical Foreman). Together, they reflect on their journeys, share personal milestones, and shine a light on the evolving role of women in a historically male-dominated field.

In this special episode, Mogaleadi digs into their experience, exploring everything from their first impressions,…

Multiple Sclerosis - influence on daily life and work.

In this episode, Natalie Brand (General Manager of Earthlab Technical Division) and Kat Swanepoel (Occupational Therapist at CE Mobility) talk to host Maria Combrink about living with multiple sclerosis (MS). They explore the difficulty in getting a correct diagnosis and how this degenerative disease influences daily activities. Natalie and Kat speak to their lived experiences on how people perceive their disability, and how they navigate their careers and the challenges they may face.

Forge Your Future Fearlessly.

Raksha Naidoo is joined by Noleen Pauls and Claire McMaster to discuss WiMSA's first symposium, to be held in August 2024.

We are brave - be brave with us too, please.

Raksha Naidoo (WIMSA, Chairperson 2023 - 2024) chats with Unity Makamu (WIMSA 2022 Mentee), Humbulani Havhi (WIMSA 2022 Mentee), Ndamulelo Mutshinya (WIMSA 2022 mentee), and Moyahabo Ntwagae (WIMSA 2022 Mentee) about their experiences as mentees in the Women in Mining South Africa mentoring programme 2022 and asks them what they want mentors to know based on their experiences.

These are the key things that they talked about and want mentors to know:
Asking someone to be your mentor can feel scary and it takes courage to make the ask - but it…

At the recent WiMSA year-end event where out-going Chair, Petro du Pisani, handed over the reins to Raksha Naidoo, Zoya Mabuto-Mokoditoa delivered a powerful keynote address.

Highlighting Raksha's theme for the year of 'Be Bold, Be Brave, Be You!', Zoya shared her thoughts and moving message.

Please let us know your thoughts via info@wimsa.org.za

Raksha Naidoo, WiMSA Deputy Chairperson and WIMSA Mentoring Committee member chats with five of the 2022 WiMSA Mentoring Programme mentees (Ndamulelo Mutshiny, Humbulani Havhi, Ntshuxeko Unity Makamu, Vilencia Parsaraman and Moyahabo Ntwagae) about their journey in the mentoring programme.

The conversation starts with an emphasis on being intentional and how this philosophy of the mentoring programme has changed the way the mentees show up not just in the mentoring programme, but in their career and their personal lives too.

The mentees discuss how the programme has awoken an interest in…

Briony Liber, mentoring Lead for the WIMSA Mentoring Programme, chats with Mbali Milanzi (Tshepa Basadi Group | MD); Melody Mmesetse (WIMSA 2022 mentee and MEng Geotechnical Engineering student); Ndamulelo Mutshinya (WIMSA 2022 mentee and Anglo American Platinum | Section Ventilation Officer) about myths that seem to get in the way of mentoring relationships.

Some of the myths that get debunked in this conversation include:
- people are too busy to be mentors (it's not true - sometimes you just need to ask);
- you need to be impressive before someone will be willing to mentor you (it's not…

This episode is one in a series of episodes focussing on Making Mentoring Matter.

Briony Liber, (Career and Self Leadership Coach, WIMSA Committee Member and Lead for the WIMSA Mentoring Programme) chats with Maria Combrink, Lauren Gamba, Vilencia Parsaraman, and Pity Pheko on the topic of what mentors want their mentees to know.

In the course of this episode they conclude that what they want mentees to know are the following: find a mentor, show up, own your journey, be vulnerable, cultivate self-awareness, expand your mindset, unlearn so that you can relearn, ask for help, take a risk,…

A lesson on how to navigate in a male-dominated mining work environment.

In this episode Petro du Pisani speaks to Dr. Patience Mpofu, who is a multi-award winner as one of the most influential women in Mining, and a former Vice President of an Australian listed company. She is a global mining sustainability thought leader (ESG) an IWF fellow alumni, executive leadership coach, and STEM advocate.

In this episode Dr. Mpofu gives an overview of her personal history, a story of grit and determination... and how she ended up writing her No. 1 International best seller "Unleashing my…

Guests:
Petro Du Pisani (WIMSA, Chairperson),
Raksha Naidoo (WIMSA, Deputy Chair),
Pity Pheko (WIMSA, Mentoring committee member),
Maria Combrink (WIMSA, Committee member)

In this episode Briony Liber speaks to fellow committee members Petro du Pisani, Raksha Naidoo, Pity Pheko and Maria Combrink about their recent experiences at the Investing in Africa Mining Indaba 2022. The Mining Indaba is the world's largest mining investment event and has not taken place since February 2020 due to Covid19. This year WIMSA was able to make a real impact at the Indaba due to the tickets and booth that…

Our Guest: Barbara Dischinger (iWiM | Founder & Director)

In this episode of the WiMSA Mining Indaba series, Petro du Pisani speaks to Barbara who explains how iWiM connects women-in-mining (WiM) organisations across the world. She describes how WiM organisations play an important role in promoting and developing women working in the mining industry. iWiM currently includes over 100 WiM organisations across 55 countries. In 2021 iWiM launched the WiM alliance which aims to help WiM organisations collaborate and come closer together.

Ou Guest: Stacy Hope (Women in Mining UK, Managing Director)

In this episode of the WIMSA Mining Indaba 2022 podcast series, Briony Liber chats with Stacy about the work that WIMUK is doing to support and promote women in the mining industry including the WIM100 Inspirational Women in Mining Awards which are taking place again in 2022 (this is the fifth year of the awards which take place every second year).

Guest: Simone Naicker (My Tiara is a Hard Hat)

In this episode of the WIMSA Mining Indaba 2022 series, Briony Liber talks with Simone Naicker, a process engineer at Exxarro Resources and Official Young Engineer Advocate for Mining Indaba 2022. Simone shares some of her journey into the mining industry, unpacks her brand "My Tiara is a Hard Hat", shares her thoughts on her role in the mine of the future and her advise for young people entering the industry and what she would like more experienced people in the industry to know.

Guest: Khosi Sibisi (WIMBIZ | Acting CEO and Chairperson of WIMBIZ)

In this episode of the WIMSA Mining Indaba 2022 series of podcasts, Briony Liber is in conversation with Khosi Sibisi the Acting CEO and Chairperson of WIMBIZ. Khosi shares an overview of what WIMBIZ is all about and the progress they are making in representing women business owners in accessing opportunities in the mining supply chain. She talks about how WIMBIZ creates a bridge between business owners and mining corporates and reduce the burden of all parties in connecting and doing business with each other.

Our Guest: Estelle Levin-Nally, (Levin Sources | CEO and Founder)

In this episode of the WIMSA Mining Indaba 2022 series, Briony Liber chats with Estelle Levin-Nally, CEO of Levin Resources. We explore issues around artisinal and small scale miners (ASM), the relationships between ASMs and large-scale mining companies and the human rights, safety and security and gender issues associated with this very complex subject.

Our Guest: Takalani Randima, (Shaft Sinkers - United Mining Services Group | Managing Director)

In this episode in the Mining Indaba 2022 series, Briony Liber catches up with one of Women in Mining South Africa's newest sponsors, Takalani Randima, Managing Director of Shaft Sinkers - United Mining Services Group.

We explored Takalani's philosophy around mentoring, her experiences as the sole woman in shaft sinking early on in her career, and mentors who have supported her in her career.

Research outcomes from Petro Du Pisani's EMBA

In this episode, Petro Du Pisani (Anglo American/Head of Business Improvement and WIMSA/Chairperson 2021-2022) talks with Briony Liber about her research into the role of leadership in reducing fatalities in the South African Mining industry. Her research was completed as part of an Executive MBA at UCT Graduate School of Business, and draws valuable conclusions on the anatomy of a safety leader which includes listening at a deep level, caring greatly, taking action on what they hear, being attuned to everyone and everything around you, creating…

Career insights from our mentors and mentees.

Guests:
Pity Pheko (WiMSA 2021 mentee/ Production Section Manager / Thungela)
Anelisa Zimema (WiMSA 2021 mentee / Mining engineering graduate trainee / Idwala Industrial Holdings)
Nkosingiphile Sibisi (WIMSA Mentee 2021 / Miner / Barberton Mines)
Thabile Makgala (Exec Eastern Limb / Implats); Mogaleadi Seabela (Section Manager / Sishen Iron Ore)

In this episode, Briony Liber focuses on mining engineering as a career.

Our mentors Thabile Makgala (Exec Eastern Limb / Implats) and Mogaleadi Seabela (Section Manager / Sishen Iron Ore) share their…

Host: Briony Liber (Briony Liber Coaching)
Guests:
Raksha Naidoo (Wimsa Vice Chair and mentoring sub committee)
Yusavia Naidoo (Mentoring sub committee)

In January 2021 Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA) launched our mentoring programme - a fully online peer-to-peer mentoring format. In this episode the WIMSA mentoring subcommittee members, Briony Liber, Raksha Naidoo and Yusavia Naidoo reflect on where the programme has come from, discuss some myths about mentoring, share some of the highlights 6 months into the programme, and outline the vision for the rest of 2021. They also talk about…

Thuthula Balfour | Minerals Council South Africa

In this episode WiMSA chairperson, Petro du Pisani, speaks to Dr. Thuthula Balfour, Head of Health for the Minerals Council South Africa. Dr Balfour has headed and coordinated the South African mining industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020. She is also a WiMSA patron and she leads the Minerals Council’s Women in Mining Task Team.

Thuthula explains how she ended up working in the mining industry. We talk about the Minerals Council's white paper on women in mining, which has lead to a number of workstreams being executed by…

Connecting with other WiM organisations across the world

Today's participants:
Petro du Pisani (WiMSA | Chairperson)
Briony Liber (WiMSA | Mentoring lead)
Nora Fiorini (WiM Argentina)

This episode is a conversation between Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA) and Women in Mining Argentina.

We speak about our organizations, our approach to mentorship, what it means to be part of a WiM group and what our WiM aspirations are for the future.

Inspiring women to build a better world through mining

In this episode Petro and Raksha explain what WiMSA's updated purpose - 'inspiring women to build a better world through mining' means to them.

They outline WiMSA's focus areas for 2021 and provide a preview of what members can expect for the remainder of the year.

Digital Diaries Episode 4

Mbali Magudulela (Sibanye Stillwater)
Nola Xala (Sibanye Stillwater)
Lindy Scott (Lindy Scott Creations)

This episode wraps up WiMSA's women's month programme. We reflect on the Digital Diaries programme which took place every Thursday in August (2020). Since WiMSA's 2020 drive is FutureFIT, where F stands for Focussed, I stands for Inspired and T stands for Transformed, we hosted four evening events with the same themes (including Future).

The Digital Diaries series was sponsored by Sibanye Stillwater. WiMSA deputy chair (Petro du Pisani) speaks to Mbali and Nola…

Innovation

Dr. Gargi Mishra (Hatch | Senior Principal Digital Mine)

In this Episode Tendani Lukhaimane (WiMSA Regional Lead MP) talks about the Future with Dr. Gargi Mishra. Dr. Gargi is a geologist by profession who later transition into the space of Innovation. We explore her personal journey, discuss emerging technology trends, COVID-19 Impact as well as diversity and inclusivity.

Women in Mining Entrepreneurs- a found passion! — Inspired - conversation with a woman entrepreneur in mining - taking up space
Olebogeng Sentsho (Simba Mgodi Mining Incubation Fund | CEO)

In this Episode of Network, Lindi Nakedi has a candid conversation with Olebogeng Sentsho (Simba Mgodi Mining Incubation Fund CEO) on her passion for the mining industry and the responsibility that all women in mining have to ensure that more women can enter the space and thrive in it.

Olebogeng can be described as an unapologetically confident force, disrupting and challenging the status quo in mining.…

What it takes to have a career in mining - an industry in transition

Claire McMaster (Fraser Alexander | Executive: Head Human Resources)

In this episode, Briony Liber, committee member and mentoring lead for Women in Mining South Africa, chats with Claire McMaster about what it takes to have a career in mining.

The mining landscape and the skills required to thrive in a career in the mining industry have changed dramatically in the last few years, and Covid-19 has accelerated that. In this episode, we discuss the human resources challenges facing the mining industry, the way in which…

In this episode WiMSA Deputy chair Petro du Pisani speaks to fellow committee members Briony Liber and Lindy Scott about their recent experiences at the Investing in Africa Mining Indaba.
The Mining Indaba is the world's largest mining investment event and takes place each February.
A number of WiMSA committee members attended this year's Indaba, some of their tickets generously sponsored by the organisers of the event, the Hyve GrouP Plc.
This year Briony and Lindy recorded some insights from delegates at the event.
In this podcast we mix together Briony and Lindy's reflections with those…

In this episode Petro du Pisani (WiMSA) speaks to Rumisha Motilal about the outcomes of her MBA dissertation, where she asked the question: " Do women add value in the mining sector." This podcast is a follow-on from a women's day event hosted by WiMSA at Anglo American's Centre for Experiential Learning in August. Rumisha also gives some handy tips on things that women can start doing tomorrow to advance in their careers.

In this episode Briony Liber (Briony Liber Coaching and WIMSA Committee Member) talks with guests, Kurisani Maswanganyi (Chief Cheerleader) and Palesa Naka (Chief Beneficiator) from Kulani Engineering, and Naomi Molefe (Innovation and Digital Consultant and Chairperson of Women in Big Data SA) about bringing their full potential to their careers in the mining industry. We also explore the future of work, valuing yourself, developing an intentional personal brand and building your career mindset about creating your career rather than waiting for a career.

In this episode WiMSA deputy chair, Petro du Pisani, speaks to fellow WiMSA committee member Briony Liber (Owner of Briony Liber Coaching and Consulting) about getting the most from LinkedIn. This episode is a follow-on from a workshop held for WiMSA members on 6 April 2019. It is jam-packed with tips on how to leverage LinkedIn to build your personal brand, and unpacks some frequently asked questions about LinkedIn.

In this episode we hear from WiMSA events coordinator, Danielle Bearman, about all of the exciting events WiMSA is planning for 2019. WiMSA hosts a number of networking, mentoring, youth and regional events each year.

The WiMSA Chair, Thabile Makgala, introduces the 2019 committee and their portfolios and discusses their objectives and specific requests on how members can get involved.

Lindi Nakedi
Thabile Makgala
Briony Liber
Petro du Pisani
Yomeshka Moodley
Tendani Lukhaimane
Nonkuleleko Hope Dire

WiMSA deputy chairperson, Petro du Pisani, talks to our outgoing chairperson, Lindi Nakedi, about WiMSA's accomplishments over the past two years. Incoming chairperson Thabile Makgala gives us a glimpse into what lies ahead for WiMSA over the next couple of years.