“The most important lesson that I have learnt while doing my internship is to always put safety first in all the work you're doing,” states Khanyisile Shoba (27) who is from Zithobeni in Bronkhorstspruit. She is doing her work integrated P1 and P2 learnership at Khanye Colliery. She started her internship at the mine in June 2022. 

“I have learned a lot but to mention a few things: troubleshooting a valve when it not opening and closing, calibrating a speed switch if it out of calibration and installing a commission line for a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller),” Khanyisile states. She notes that a special highlight for her was learning how to calibrate instruments as she only learnt the theory of this at university.  

Her aim is one day to become an instrumentation specialist as this is a central skill that is highly valued by the mining sector. 

“There's nothing that a woman cannot do as long as it aligns with our interests. I believe that any dream can be a reality as long as you never give up, just keep learning,” Khanyisile concludes.