Making it in a male dominated industry
QQS and Associates Consulting Engineers MD Lerato Mahlangu
The hauling of coal from the mine to the nearby coal sidings in order for the product to be delivered to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT), the Multipurpose Terminal (MPT) or the RBT Grindrod Terminal, in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, is a key element of the mining logistics process.
On average, Canyon Coal spends over R7 million a month with several local, black-women owned coal haulage suppliers which include; QQS Engineers and Associates Consulting, Royal Pros Services, Siyagqina Trading Services, Netshipise Business Solutions and Mrholozi Group. This is in line with the company’s commitment, to go beyond the transformation guidelines set out for the mining sector, with a strong focus on the development and empowerment of black women-owned businesses as well as youth-owned businesses.
The Maroon Post spoke with two of the women running these coal haulage companies.
Women in the transport business
QQS and Associates Consulting Engineers was established in 2008 by Lerato Mahlangu, who is the company’s Managing Director. Lerato explains that the idea to establish QQS Engineers was borne out of the realisation that she lived near mines, and after much research, she discovered that there weren’t a lot of black, women-owned companies in the industry. “I had already owned a couple of trucks which were being used to transport goods around Gauteng so it was a natural progression to diversify into coal transportation,” she explains.
QQS has been transporting coal at Canyon Coal’s Khanye Colliery since February 2021. Lerato points out how companies such as Canyon Coal are playing an important role in closing gaps between local companies and bigger transportation companies by integrating them into Canyon Coal’s supplier network.
Joyce Maite Nkosi resides in Cultura Park, Bronkhorstspruit, and is a Director at Royal Pros Services. The company has been transporting coal from Khanye Colliery to the nearby Bronkhorstspruit siding since March 2020.
Joyce, who holds a BSc in Water and Sanitation Services from the University of Limpopo, joined the commodity transportation sector in September 2019. “Royal Pros Services was established in 2018 by my husband Mxolisi Nkosi and myself. Our company currently has one, 34-ton side tipper truck, which is in use at Khanye Colliery,” she notes. Joyce says she plans to grow the company and add more trucks. “With the opportunity given to our company by Canyon Coal our goal will definitely be accomplished,” she asserts.
Making it in a male-dominated industry
“Generally speaking, it’s very hard to get into the mining industry, regardless of one’s gender, due to the requirements they have in place. The growth of women is important to teach the youth not to restrict themselves and to remove the stigma around women working certain jobs or following certain careers,” Lerato says. However, her goal is to one day own a fleet of at least 20 trucks that will operate not only in the coal transportation sector but in other sectors as well.
Joyce concurs with Lerato that it is very difficult to get into the industry, as a startup company, for several reasons. “It is impossible to get finance from the bank and when you finally manage to get a truck, it can be even more difficult to get a contract with the mines. The coal haulage sector is mainly dominated by men, and women are often overlooked. However, I believe that women can provide the same standard of service as men and bring balance to the sector,” states Joyce.
In conclusion, both women state that they aspire to be the best transporters in the commodity transportation sector and hope to grow their companies and thereby create more opportunities for other women.
