Full Name: Nonkululeko Thandiwe Mabuza

Position and Company Name: Mine manager at Impala Platinum (Implats)

Main Activity: I am in charge of delivering safe production targets within budget at one of the operations at Implats

Date and Place of Birth: May 9, 1985, Barberton, Mpumalanga

Education: Westville Girls High; BSc (mining engineering), University of the Witwatersrand, 2009

First Job: Mining engineer-in-training at Implats

Size of First Pay Packet: About R11 000

Career Path to Date: 2010 – underground occupations and Level 2 rock breaker qualification; 2011 – Level 2 experiential training and Level 3 rock breaker qualification; 2012 – Level 3 experiential training and technical services training; 2013 – mining (Phase 1 and Phase 2); 2014 – shift supervisor, Section 11, 1 Shaft, white area mining; 2016 – mine overseer, Section 18, 1 Shaft; 2018 – acting mine manager, 1 Shaft top section (section manager role); 2018 – relieving mine manager, 10 Shaft; November 2018 to February 2019 – relieving mine manager, 1 Shaft; March 2019 – mine manager

Number of People under Your Leadership: 2 655

Management Style: A combination of persuasive and participative

Personal Best Achievement: Being the first female mine manager at Implats, specifically at the Impala Rustenburg operation

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Jimmy Sekoati and Terence Cowley – they gave me ample opportunities to grow and room to spread my wings and soar

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Serena Williams – just to have a casual conversation with her and understand how she remains resilient

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Molebogeng Mantso, a young, ambitious lady who is currently juggling her business, career and studies effortlessly

Philosophy of Life: I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being appointed a mine manager has opened many doors for me

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Nothing worth mentioning

Hope for the Future: To leave a legacy that will make it easier for those who come after me in the industry

Favourite Reading: I enjoy autobiographies and recently read Becoming, by Michelle Obama

Favourite TV Programme: Grey’s Anatomy

Favourite Food/Drink: Any food from the sea and any drink with bubbles

Favourite Music: House, worship and RnB

Favourite Sport: None

Hobbies: Travelling and exploring new food spots

Car: Anything and everything BMW

Pets: A pot plant named Tuesday

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Chewing gum

Married: Not married

Children: None

Clubs: I was one of the founders of Rustenburg Miniacs, a group of friends who drive Mini Coopers and arrange charity drives for the less fortunate