In his days as rover for an Eskom supplier, Goodman Mazibuko’s work often took him to mining sites where he observed other young black people in managerial roles

“I always asked myself, ‘What did he do to be appointed as manager?’” recounts Goodman, the new general manager of Canyon Coal’s Hakhano and Singani collieries.

Goodman, who grew up in Ladysmith with parents and a grandmother who were dedicated to their jobs, always had the desire to advance in his career, but felt handicapped by his lack of tertiary education. “I always believed that those managerial positions were only for certain people, not for me,” he reveals from behind his large mahogany desk on the top floor of the Hakhano site office. “But one day, Dirk Coetzee, one of our general managers, asked me if I wanted to work towards becoming a mining manager. I replied that I didn’t have a university degree, but he said ‘Goodman, all you need is a blasting ticket’.” Goodman smiles.

Our general manager speaks eloquently and calmly when he explains that the invitation to qualify for a managerial position did not fall into his lap. He joined the company at the bottom rank of stockpile controller and then went on to work as pit supervisor reporting to the mine manager. “I did not have the experience or education to become a site manager. All I could do was to commit to my job and be diligent and loyal.”

Fortunately for Goodman, Canyon Coal is committed to transformation and invests in staff who show promise. He was soon enrolled for training courses at the Colliery Training College and instructed in safety, basic coal preparation, blasting and other facets of mining. This was followed by further training in operations management at the University of the Witwatersrand and open-pit design and planning at the University of Pretoria. “The company provided me with the missing link to finally develop my career,” says Goodman. “All these courses prepare you for great things.”

Goodman’s first big promotion came in 2015 when he was made shift supervisor at Phalanndwa Colliery. “Being in charge of a shift involved work that I had never done before. But I was working with operators who had ten years or more experience and I made it my task to learn from them.” Meanwhile, Goodman inspired the team to do their best for the company and themselves, which led to him being promoted to acting mine manager of Hakhano Colliery in late 2016.

He reveals with his characteristic openness that his confidence grew every year that he worked with the company and with every new task he was assigned. The role of acting mine manager has given him great exposure to leading and overseeing our mining operations, and paved the way for his recent appointment as general manager.

“I have grown through the support I have received from other people in the company. Guy Thompson is a great mining expert and we have all gained a lot from his guidance. I have also developed a lot of know-how from working with other operators and managers.”

In his free time, Goodman reads books on business leadership, which helps him to be the leader his position demands him to be. Goodman did his very best in the role of mine manager and felt excited and motivated by his appointment as general manager.

Goodman sits back in his chair and smiles warmly. “It is possible,” he says. “Throughout my career with the company, I have learnt that nothing is impossible if you are disciplined enough and have the courage to go after your dreams. Use the opportunities you get and treat the people around you with respect.”