It is the genuine desire to see young people rise above their challenges that keeps Thendo motivated to fulfil her role as Canyon Coal’s Social and Labour Plan Coordinator. Out of the company’s five SLP objectives, Thendo’s biggest focus is on Human Resource Development (HRD). This involves implementing education and skills development programmes.

Thendo is responsible for overseeing that SLP projects are implemented while liaising with communities and government officials. “I wanted to do something that allows me to interact with people and assist them. I did my research, only to find out that development studies was the perfect platform,” she says. In her line of work, Thendo has encountered many young people who are trapped in the poverty cycle and hopes her efforts will make a difference.

Her team is currently in the process of implementing various social upliftment projects for skills development, bursaries, internships and learnerships. Before joining Canyon, she worked as an intern at the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s SLP division. Thendo holds a BA degree, majoring in Developmental Studies and Sociology and hopes to complete her honours degree in the same field next year.