RBM’s women in leadership

Deshni Reddy – Executive: Business strategy

Great leaders know that to be truly progressive in business, they cannot afford to have teams with one dimensional thinking. The drive in recent years towards diversity, inclusion, and collaboration is the dawn of a realisation that diversity just makes good business sense – it leads to stronger teams, and therefore, more creative solutions. To succeed in the workplace, you have to bring something different to the table. Be clear on your value offering and constantly work on closing your gaps.

Corporate giants such as Rio Tinto place a huge emphasis on the integrity of their employees, especially their leaders. This also means that the days of closing business deals between male counterparts on the golf course are long gone. For women, this levelling of the playing field is liberating and exciting. Trust in the uniqueness that you bring into an organisation, and if you thought you would need to think like a man to get ahead, think again, your time has come!

Stella Mulombe – Human Resources: Business Partner

What is the role of gender equality?

Gender equality is not just a basic human right, but to a large extent sets the foundation for sustainable social progress.

It encompasses fairness and empowerment of our female workforce, which is cardinal as they actively contribute – through their diversity – to stimulate economic growth.

Angelique Taljard – Manager: Financial Accounting and Treasury

How does one balance one’s career and family responsibilities?

Balancing work and family life is about compromise. It is not always possible to have a perfect balance, but what matters is that you do what is best for you and your family.

Plan around the individual needs of your family and work responsibilities to enable you to prioritise where you are needed the most at that particular moment. It is also very important that you also make time for what is important for your own mental and physical health.

Jenny Naidoo – Manager: Commercial

What are the characteristics that make you a good leader?

In today’s ever-changing economic climate, it is vital to embrace change, be innovative and inspire creativity within the team.

As a leader, I encourage my team to stay focused on our priorities and provide them with a strong support structure. I also believe in the growth and development of people, as this creates motivated, competent employees and make the workplace a pleasant environment.

Creating a safe environment is one of my major commitments and this includes striving to achieve work life balance. Other areas of focus include the sharing of information, honesty, integrity and having a clear vision.

Thandi Mazibuko – Manager: Zulti South Operational Readiness

What are the key challenges for women in mining?

For years women have played the submissive role both at work and at home. In this day in age, this remains a challenge as women are struggling to have a voice, especially in a male-dominated industry, such as the Mining sector.

I believe we are at the stage where women should be recognised beyond our gender and be appreciated for the work we deliver. As woman we have proven our capability. Acknowledge that we have a voice and the mining industry is yearning to hear it, as we bring a different way of thinking to the table. We should be at the forefront of developing and taking mining to greater heights.

Bridget Ngobese – Human Resources: Business Partner

What is your career advice to other women?

Never sell yourself short, be open to opportunities when presented to you and never allow people to define you – be yourself.

Be resilient no matter what, create your own destiny and project confidence in what you do. Do not be afraid to say ‘I don’t know’ as this builds you and it brings out the strength in you.

Thobile Dlamini – Manager: Slag and Site Logistics

What can be done to address challenges facing women in the workplace?

Women should be treated the same as our male counterparts. People need to look beyond gender and appreciate what we have to offer in the workplace. There’s enough room for all of us and we all have a role to play.

It is for this reason that as a female employee, I can be comfortable that Rio Tinto recognises the Inclusion and Diversity pillar of the business and the effect it has on the business productivity.

Nandi Sibanyoni – Manager: Environmental

With the amount of adversity, inequality and injustice that women face in the mining fraternity, I would encourage all women to continue breaking barriers and fight against such ills.

Women have the power to break any stereotypes that is attached to their name. Women are eager and yearn to make that positive change. I say put us to the test and we will prove ourselves.

With that said, as women, we need to understand that with this much determination comes a lot of responsibility. We need to understand that the boardroom games may change and require us to be tougher, resilient, stand up, show up and show off.

Ntokozo Gwala – Superintendent: Furnaces, currently acting Manager: Smelter

What is your advice to other women? 

As women you need to believe in yourself, own your decisions and excel in everything you do.

Sibongile Nhlapho – Project Lead: Asset and Management

What are the key challenges facing women in mining?

Women representation in technical / engineering fields still remain a challenge for most organisations. There are few women entering this field, compared to their male counterparts, due to various reasons. With changing mindsets, there is an opportunity for more women to penetrate the industry and the fields where the representation of women is considered low.

Boitumelo Motlhaba – Manager: Corporate Counsel

What is your career advice for women?

Do not be afraid of being different or having a different opinion. You are a woman for a reason. Be resilient: if you fall, don’t stay down – get up, dust yourself off and get on with it. Allow yourself to grow in all spheres of your life by surrounding yourself with people who will challenge you to grow. Lastly, be true to your faith and values.

Inger Kristensen – Manager: Information Systems and Technology

What is your success motto?

My motto has always been to do my best and work hard and this, I believe, is what has landed me where I am today.

Nerisha Naidoo – Manager: Compliance – Africa

How has Rio Tinto/ RBM supported you in your career?

Having joined RBM 12 years ago when I was in the final stages of completing my Chartered

Accountant qualification, RBM provided all the support and experience I required in successfully attaining my qualification. Post qualifying I had opportunities which varied from core finance roles, internal audit, risk and compliance. RBM provided the perfect platform to gain the relevant knowledge across various disciplines both locally and abroad. My career to date has been supported by great leadership, excellent development programs and an endless base to grow ones knowledge across processes.

Furthermore, with Rio Tinto being a global company, I have had the opportunity to work in a cross functional team which spans across the world.

Sandra Kraemer – Manager: Demand and Delivery – Africa

Did you have to work harder than your male counterparts to be where you are today?

Yes, I had to work harder than anyone, not just my male counterparts. The saying ‘The early bird catches the worm’ is certainly true. You need to make yourself visible, gain respect through your leadership and delivering on your word.

Most importantly, understanding the statement ‘doing it right the first time’ and see things in a global perspective. We are fortunate to be part of a multi-national company where we have an opportunity to learn from each other through collaboration and understanding others’ opinions.  We need to invest in the time we take to know our people better – understanding their weaknesses and strengths to build a diverse team that can support each other.