Gold Fields - Women in Mining

Adwoa Pokuaa Issaka

Position: Unit Manager Safety at Gold Fields, South Deep

Date and Place of Birth: 30 May, Thohoyandou, Venda 

Education: I enrolled for a BSc in Mining Engineering from 2006 to 2009. Then an MSc in Mining Engineering from 2015 to 2017, and PhD in the same field from 2019 to 2022. I conducted my undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. I have a Rock Mechanics certificate of competency, as well as other certifications in occupational health and safety, risk management, and change management.

Management style: My management style varies between autocratic and participative. My primary style is autocratic, but over the years I have developed a strong participative management style. 

Personal best achievement: My contribution towards the record low number of Fall of Ground fatalities in the South African Mining Industry in 2022 by facilitating the adoption of MOSH leading practices across the industry. I became the first black South African female to earn a doctorate in Mining Engineering (and the first South African female mining engineer to achieve this). 

Philosophy of life: As a woman thinketh, so shall she become.

Message for other women leaders: It’s important to invest in your own personal growth and development. This enables one to work towards their God given potential and purpose. Never stop learning and developing yourself no matter how small it may seem. Try your best to contribute towards the development of others.

Ofentse Debete

Position: Section Manager: Mining at Gold Fields, South Deep

Date and Place of Birth: 26 March, Mabopane, North of Pretoria 

Education: BSc (Hons) in Mining Engineering - University of the Witwatersrand Management Development Program (MDP) – University of Stellenbosch Business School Mine Manager’s Certificate of Competency • Mine Overseer’s Certificate of Competency

Management style: Situational leadership works for me. It is important for me as a manager to know my team’s strengths and weaknesses. This enables me to assist them grow their strengths and improve on their weakness. 

Personal best achievement: To have been a mentor and sponsor to numerous individuals that have made a great success of the opportunities awarded to them. I gain personal fulfilment from making a difference in people’s lives and careers. 

Philosophy of life: To show up in the best version of myself 

Message for other women leaders: Women possess a natural gift to nurture. We need more female leaders to grow the business community to greater heights. It remains the responsibility of the current women in leadership to involve other women to ensure a sustainable future.

Tejal Sunker

Position: Group Decarbonisation Lead - at Gold Fields, South Deep

Date and Place of Birth: 30 April, Umkomaas, on the South Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal

Education: BSc Electrical Engineering – University of Kwa-Zulu Natal Government Certificate of Competency Mines and Works

Management style: I am a democratic manager. I promote a collaborative work environment, enabling my team to make informed decisions together, and I encourage freedom of thought for creativity, initiatives and problem solving.

Personal best achievement: My family. My sons are the reason I work hard to set an example for them. 

Philosophy of life: Make time! In a world where there isn’t enough, I strive to find time for my family and, importantly, myself. 

Message for other women leaders: Be authentic. There is no one else like you. The perspective you have is unique so make your voice heard and make your mark in this competitive world.

Zandile Cindi

Position: Senior Manager: Strategy and Business Development at Gold Fields, South Deep

Date and Place of Birth: 23 April, Johannesburg

Education: Advanced Business Project Management (Wits Business School) • BSc Honours Degree Mining Engineering (Witwatersrand University) • Affiliations: ECSA, AMMSA, SAIMM • Mine Managers Certificate of Competency • Metalliferous Blasting Certificate

Management style: My leadership approach is anchored in a strategic mindset that prioritises consistent motivation and guidance to propel my team towards achieving shared business objectives. However, what truly fuels my passion is the cultivation of a culture that instils a profound sense of purpose and direction among all team members. I place significant emphasis on fostering an environment characterised by openness, curiosity and compassion, wherein individuals can flourish and unleash their fullest potential.

Personal best achievement: My personal best achievement is mastering self-leadership. Time and experience have taught me to experience life with full absorption and learn deep appreciation of basic life experience. Most importantly, knowing that what matters the most is what you do when no one is watching.  

Philosophy of life: Live while you are alive and give others that same privilege. 

Message for other women leaders: What you were taught to be impossible is possible.

Carissa Shah

Position: Head of Supply Chain at Gold Fields, South Deep

Date and Place of Birth: Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal

Education: Master of Business administration (MBA)

Management style: People centric and transformational. 

Personal best achievement: The day I received feedback from an elder who shared the sustainable impact and hope I have provided to her family through the employment, upskilling and career growth of her grandson. This interaction was life changing for me because it made me realise the reach of my actions and the responsibility I have as a leader. I am fully committed to uplifting my environment and the community to which I belong. 

Philosophy of life: Leadership is a choice, not a position. 

Message for other women leaders: If you are faced with the impossible, and it is hard to know where to begin, start with just one prayer, one action, one choice, or one person.

Elzani Bender

Position: HR Manager Organisational Effectiveness at Gold Fields, South Deep

Date and Place of Birth: Potchefstroom

Education: Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management: Human Resources Management from UNISA • Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources Management from NWU • Certified Lean Six Sigma – Green Belt

Management style: My management style can be described as a blend of transformational and servant leadership. I prioritise inspiring and motivating my team through a compelling vision while also focusing on serving and supporting their growth and development. I believe in empowering my team to make decisions and take ownership of their work, fostering a culture of autonomy and innovation. I believe in recognising and appreciating their efforts, creating a positive and engaging work environment. 

Personal best achievement: Creating positive change and making a difference by playing an integral role in establishing an Organisational Effectiveness Department within the broader South Deep HR Team, with significant and notable improvements in the talent management, diversity and inclusion, employment equity and employee engagement space. 

Philosophy of life: Embrace gratitude, seek growth, and spread kindness. 

Message for other women leaders: As women leaders we can shape a brighter tomorrow for generations to come. Keep shining, keep leading, and keep making a difference!

Puseletso Matete

Position: Head of Sustainable Development and Environment at Gold Fields, South Deep. Director of South Deep Joint Venture

Date and Place of Birth: 7 November, Maseru, Lesotho

Education: I studied Urban and Regional Planning at National University and went on to study towards a postgraduate in Geography and Geographic Information. I studied a Masters in Public Administration at University of Pretoria. I further studied Executive Preparation in Mining, a programme sponsored by Mining Qualifications and DMRE. I have a Certified Directorship through attending Directors Training through various recognised institutions.  

Management style: I am a nurturing manager who leads from behind whilst taking the team along the vision and influencing them to feel part of the vision. I create an enabling environment for team members to actively develop themselves through mentoring them, ensuring they take up further studies while giving them exposure to Thought Leaders sessions, workshops and con-ferences with CPD points. 

Personal best achievement: The mining environment we work in externally is highly volatile, ambiguous, uncertain and very complex. Each day is my personal achievement as I help the team navigate the world we live in. I get a lot of satisfaction when the team shows up again the next day, happy to work and perform at their best. 

Philosophy of life: Be a force for good. 

Message for other women leaders: We currently live in a world that needs strong, resilient and authentic women leaders. Let’s step up and do what we do best for the sake of future generations.

Yolanda Chambati

Position: Section Manager Rock Engineering at Gold Fields, South Deep

Date and Place of Birth: 10 July, Harare, Zimbabwe

Education: I have an undergraduate degree (BEng Mining and BEng Honors Technology Management) from the University of Pretoria. I am currently busy with a Masters degree in Mining Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand. I hold a Metalliferous Rock Engineering Ticket.

Management style: My management style is built on a foundation of collaboration, communication and empowerment. 

Personal best achievement: Observing the growth of a junior employee and watching them exceed expectations under my mentorship. 

Philosophy of life: My philosophy to life revolves around three core principles: gratitude, growth and meaningful connections. 

Message for other women leaders: To all the remarkable women leaders, we stand on the shoulders of strong women who have paved the way before us, let’s support and uplift one another. Collaboration and mentorship create a ripple effect of success.