South Africa’s mining industry is largely male dominated with a reputation for being rough, remote and dangerous.
However, women are beginning to penetrate the industry with some taking executive, leadership roles in top mining companies.
Among the women is Nombasa Tsengwa. Her journey from a curious child in rural Eastern Cape to the helm of Exxaro Resources is a testament to resilience, and an unwavering commitment.
As CEO of one of the country’s largest black-empowered mining companies, she stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability, steering the industry towards a greener, more inclusive future.
Her story is not just one of breaking barriers but of forging new paths where few dared to tread.
Where it all started
Nombasa Tsengwa was born in 1965 in Fort Malan, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Her father was a teacher who rose to become an education inspector while her mother was a gardener. To Nombasa, her parents played a big role in fostering her journey to becoming who she is today.
After high school in 1983, she enrolled for a Senior Secondary School teaching Diploma at the University of Transkei.
This career path was encouraged by her father who was a school principal at the time.
However, Nombasa was determined to explore different career paths beyond teaching. After the diploma, she went and enrolled in the University of the Western Cape in 1987 for her degree in Geology.
Her undergraduate studies landed her a scholarship in the United States of America. She did her master’s degree in Plant Physiology at Eastern Illinois University and her PhD in Agronomy at the University of Maryland.
Growing up, she witnessed the complexities of mining operations and the profound impact they could have on local communities and ecosystems.
This shaped her determination to pursue a career that would bridge the gap between responsible resource management and corporate success.
She believes that studying in the United States helped give build the confidence that has helped with her success today.
Career journey
Tsengwa served as a Corporate Manager-Biotechnology at the Council of Scientific Industrial Research, South Africa from 1999 to 2000.
In 2000, Dr Tsengwa worked as Deputy Director General of Environmental Affairs and Tourism for the South African Government.
Dr Nombasa Tsengwa started her career in the mining industry in 2003. She joined the then, Kumba Resources, an iron-ore mining company, as the General Manager Safety Health and Environment.
In November 2006, Kumba Resources Limited unbundled, and Kumba’s coal and other assets merged with Eyesizwe Coal to create Exxaro Resources Limited.
In 2010, Dr Tsengwa was appointed as Regional General Manager Coal Tied Collieries, overseeing three underground and four opencast operations.
She thereby became directly involved with the management of coal operations as general manager of captive mines and general manager of Mpumalanga operations.
In 2015, she was appointed acting executive head of coal operations. Later in May 2016, she became the executive head of coal operations, overseeing operations, logistics and marketing.
In July 2020, Dr Tsengwa was appointed as Managing Director Minerals, a new division that consolidated coal and ferroalloys portfolio to include new low carbon minerals.
In March 2021, she was appointed CEO Designate, until she became the substantive CEO in August 2022.
Exxaro Resources
Exxaro is a South African-based diversified resources group with interests in coal, TiO2, ferrous metals, and energy. It has become one of the largest black-empowered and diversified mining companies in South Africa.
Exxaro is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and operates in South Africa, Europe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the United States.
According to Companies Market Cap Data, Exxaro Resources has a market cap of $2.31 Billion as of June 2024, making it the world’s 3847th most valuable company by market cap.
Exxaro Resources was one of the first of South Africa’s coal miners to recognize the investment risks of sticking only to fossil-fuel production. Its subsidiary, Cennergi, has developed renewable power facilities shifting their focus to power distribution infrastructure.
Tsengwa is a member of the Exxaro Board and serves on the Boards of the Minerals Council of South Africa, Cennergi Holdings, and Energy Council South Africa. She is also on the Mining Advisory Board at the Department of Mining Engineering (University of Pretoria).
Between 200-2017, Dr Tsengwa served on the Astral Foods Pty Ltd Board of Directors as a non-Executive Director.
In 2017, Dr Tsengwa was awarded the coveted Standard Bank Business Woman of the Year Award. This was followed by the Winner of the “Africa’s Most Influential Woman in Business and Government – Mining Industry Category” at the Pan African Awards in 2018.
Additionally, Exxaro Resources applauded her outstanding leadership and her role in advancing women in the workplace by awarding her an Evergreen Award in the category CEO Special Nomination in 2018.
In 2023, Dr. Tsengwa was awarded the Gender Icon Award at the 2023 Standard Bank Top Women Award.
Family
Nombasa Tsengwa is married and has two children. Beyond work, Dr Tsengwa believes in a balanced lifestyle with regular exercise. She is a keen runner and has finished nine Comrades marathons.
Even as she manages one of South Africa’s top mining industries, her influence on women and the world is being felt through her lifestyle.
According to Dr. Tsengwa: “Leadership is not just about making decisions; it’s about inspiring and empowering others to see the possibilities and to innovate beyond the conventional.” Maybe this is the secret that makes her an exemplary leader in South Africa’s energy industry.
