South Africa is one of the world’s largest mining nations, with a significant amount of mineral deposits, including diamond, gold, platinum and coal.
Heavy with natural minerals and metals, it is widely regarded as Africa’s most industrialized nation. Although South Africa’s diamond and gold sectors have declined from their peaks, the country still ranks fifth in global gold production.
The South African mining sector is a notable driver of the economy, employing a significant portion of the country’s workforce. However, it is largely male-dominated, with women having little representation.
Until recent years, the number of women operating in the sector has been minimal. Currently, the figure is less than 20 percent. However, the few women who do represent female workers in the segment have succeeded in earning the respect of their male counterparts by taking on critical leadership roles.
Below is a list of 10 female mining tycoons in South Africa who are setting the tone for the next generation of women through dedication, hard work, passion and resilience.
Although the list is not exhaustive, it acknowledges the amazing women who are making a mark on the South African mining industry.
Below is a list of 10 female mining tycoons in South Africa who are setting a pace for the sector:
#1 Nolitha Fakude
Holdings: Anglo American (South Africa)
Office: Chairperson
Nolitha Fakude was appointed chairperson of the Management Board of South Africa for Anglo American in 2019. She is a trustee of the Women’s Development Bank.
Before her appointment, she served as an executive director of Sasol, non-executive director of Harmony Gold, managing director and former president of the Black Management Forum (BMF), vice president of Minerals Council South Africa and chairperson of the Women in Mining Leadership Forum.
#2 Maria Ramos
Holdings: AngloGold Ashanti
Office: Chairperson
Maria Ramos is a South African businesswoman, banker and corporate executive. She assumed office as the chairperson of AngloGold Ashanti in 2020.
AngloGold Ashanti is a global gold mining company with operations, projects and exploration activities in 10 countries on four continents.
Prior to her appointment, she served as CEO of Absa Group Limited and CEO of Transnet.
#3 Natacha Viljoen
Holdings: Anglo American Platinum
Office: CEO
Natacha Viljoen is the CEO of Anglo American Platinum, the world’s leading primary producer of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs). The company provides a complete resource-to-market service, supplying global customers with a range of mined, recycled and traded products.
#4 Nombasa Tsengwa
Holding: Exxaro
Office: CEO
Exxaro appointed Nombasa Tsengwa as CEO in March, succeeding Mxolisi Mgojo, effective May 1.
Exxaro is a diversified energy company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. It operates in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo regions, where the country’s highest coal resource concentrations can be found.
It also operates facilities and offices in Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia.
#5 Zanele Matlala
Holdings: Merafe Resources
Office: CEO
Matlala is the CEO and executive director of Merafe Resources Limited.
Merafe is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in the general mining sector. Its main focus is its wholly-owned subsidiary, Merafe Ferrochrome and Mining (Pty) Limited.
Matlala holds the position of chairman of Stefanutti Stocks Holdings Limited and independent non-executive chairman at Dipula Income Fund Limited.
She is also on the board of seven other companies.
#6 Lindiwe Nakedi
Holding: Gubhani Exploration
Office: Founder / Managing Director
Lindiwe Nakedi is the CEO of a South African, 100-percent Black-female-owned exploration drilling company that she started with her geologist husband in 2008.
#7 Christine Ramon
Holding: AngloGold Ashanti
Office: Interim CEO / CFO
Christine Ramon is the group CFO of AngloGold Ashanti and was appointed interim CEO in 2020, following the resignation of former CEO Kelvin Dushnisky at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
#8 Thandi Orleyn
Holding: Impala Platinum
Office: Chairperson
Thandi Orleyn serves as an independent non-executive director on the Impala Platinum board and as chairperson designate. She is a lawyer and business executive, who has actively served in the country’s financial sector.
She is a co-founder and executive director of Peotona Group Holdings and has served as a non-executive director of the South African Reserve Bank.
She currently serves on the boards of BP Southern Africa, Reunert, Toyota South Africa and Ceramics Industries.
#9 Boipelo Lekubo
Holding: Harmony Gold
Office: Financial Director
Lekubo was appointed financial director for Harmony Gold in March 2020. She joined the company as CFO in 2017.
With a solid accounting background, she has extensive experience in group financial management and reporting within the mining industry.
Lekubo was also CFO of Atlatsa Resources and financial manager of Northam Platinum Limited.
#10 Thabile Makgala
Holdings: Impala Platinum
Office: Executive, Mining
Thabile Makgala is an executive at Impala Platinum, with nearly 20 years of experience in the sector. She oversees two operations on the Eastern Limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa, with about 7,000 staff.
She held top executive positions at Gold Fields, AngloGold Ashanti and Anglo American.
In 2018, she was selected as one of the “Top-100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining.”
