...In partnership with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), Anglo American Platinum incorporated 11 female employees into Nexus, a leadership programme which forms part of the Centre for Leadership and Dialogue, at GIBS. These women were identified as the top performers within the company and have been earmarked for development into higher positions.

The Nexus programme helps younger leaders in business, civil society and government to navigate the challenging context of our country. Through experiential learning and dialogue, delegates are challenged to find solutions to the obstacles that are holding themselves, others and the country back from real development and growth. Participants in the programme learn through field trips, intimate and honest conversation and case studies, and from seminars given by leading thinkers and influential citizens across South Africa.

"This is our second year of involvement in the programme, with 12 female employees having participated in it last year. This initiative is a crucial part of our directive to empower women, and provide them with opportunities to become leaders in the workplace. Our involvement in this programme is therefore seen as an investment in the future of Platinum, as it will not only increase our intellectual capital, but will create a more diverse workplace that talks to the Mining Charter's transformation imperatives. The recruitment of women is important as it will assist the company with its transformation agenda," says Martin. While a specific number could not be provided at the time of writing, Sasol Mining's female workforce has increased in recent years, says group media manager Alex Anderson. He says this is in line with the acceleration of the company's empowerment strategy, "While mining remains a largely maledominated industry, Sasol Mining is focused on recruiting women in the mining industry..."