The world is Thizwi’s oyster after BLAST

VENDA – VENDA native, Thizwilondi Nkhumeleni, is a member of Anglo American’s Building Leaders and Shaping Talent (Blast) programme, which is open to a select group of high achievers in disciplines that are relevant to engineering, science, commerce, IT and other mining related disciplines,

This young man from Maungani outside Thohoyandou, started school at Maungani Primary School before moving to Johannesburg to finish his primary education at Discovery Primary School in Roodepoort. He later finished his high school in Florida Park high before moving on to Rhodes University.

The business science graduate credits his success to “old-fashioned hard work”. He completed a master’s of science degree at Rhodes University last year while he was working with the Blast programme.

Nkhumeleni says his leadership qualities, drive, ambition, passion for new challenges and hard work helped him find a space in this competitive programme. During his five year period with the programme, he will work at three jobs and on two continents.

The programme gives him an oppor-tunity to live and work in the UK.

“I enjoy travelling and exploring new places. I find that I learn a lot by exploring different countries with different cultures. I do also spend lots of time reading various books related to leadership, economics, politics and technology.”

Nkhumeleni says one of the benefits of being with Anglo American is that they have a global footprint and a good track record of developing young professionals. “My career at the Anglo American Blast program has been very rewarding. I have gained exposure to different functions as well as different jurisdictions.”

Nkhumeleni says he was motivated by seeing progress and improvement in young people around him. He advises young people to broaden their exposure in different areas to survive in today’s dynamic world.

“As a student, you need to be prepared to work hard in order to advance your career.”

He says Blast is just the beginning of many achievements in the future.

“I have always wanted to lead large teams. In 20 years’ time I want to be a function head or an executive at one of our business units.”