Phumlani Sgudla’s role as an IT Specialist at Gugulethu Colliery demands both technical expertise and composure under pressure. His duties include troubleshooting complex technical issues to ensure seamless network connectivity, servers, and site cameras. Coming from Ermelo in Mpumalanga, Phumlani has embraced the challenges of his position, seeing them as opportunities for growth. While he benefits from the support of his colleagues at Canyon Coal’s head office, the experience of working on-site has given him a unique sense of professional independence.

“Being alone here also means that I can be responsible and take accountability for everything that is happening, which makes me find growth quicker,” he remarks. IT was not always in his purview. After finishing matric 11 years ago, Phumlani had hoped to study mechanical engineering, but all the spots for that course had been taken. The PC Training and Business College receptionist in Pretoria talked Phumlani through other options, and IT sounded interesting to him.

“I figured that there are many things to learn within the field. It was life-changing, and I am grateful that I managed to jump into it,” says Phumlani. He went on to do three IT certificates and a diploma which he completed at the same institution in 2017. The following year, he did his internship, which was focused on programming and business analysis. But his career, like many others, was interrupted by the Covid 19 pandemic, and he was unable to find employment until late 2022, when he secured a retail job.

In his spare time, Phumlani kept the IT spark alive by fixing people’s computers and helping them with their websites. He was in the retail space until he was offered a position at Gugulethu in April 2024. “In IT you never stop learning. I’m really glad to be back in the zone,” he remarks. Phumlani hopes to take advantage of the dynamic mining environment to sharpen his skills