As South Africa commemorated Youth Month in June, Impala Rustenburg celebrated the vital role youth development programmes play in uplifting the youth and creating a pipeline of talent that positively impacts the future of Rustenburg. Over the past five years, Impala Rustenburg has awarded a total of 211 bursaries (119 women and 92 men), 343 learnerships (149 women and 194 men) 598 mining cadetships (207 women and 391 men), 202 wholesale and retail cadetships (136 women and 66 men) and 322 graduate internships and experiential traineeships (143 women and 179 men).
This year alone, Impala awarded 29 bursaries, 70 engineering learnerships and 100 cadet training programme opportunities to youth from its mine communities.
Moses Motlhageng, Chief Executive of Impala Rustenburg, comments: “Our bursary programme forms part of our broader commitment to youth development and has had a significant impact on the lives of its many recipients over the years, including a large proportion of young women. Notably, 20 of the 29 bursaries awarded this year were presented to female learners, underscoring Impala Rustenburg’s commitment to gender equality.”
The number of learnerships awarded this year has increased substantially over the years, rising from 20 in 2022 to 70 in 2023. The increased intake is thanks to an impactful partnership with the Royal Bafokeng Nation, which boosted this year’s intake by 50 young people. The 70 learnerships are in a variety of engineering disciplines, including boilermakers, diesel mechanics, electricians, mechanical fitters, instrument mechanics and rigger ropesmen, and include both men and women.
Meanwhile, Impala’s Cadet Programme, in partnership with Murray & Roberts, has seen 100 youth from our mine communities receiving training since the beginning of the year, to pursue careers as winch operators and rock drill operators.
This year’s prestigious Future Women in Mining bursary recipient is Oratile Segonyane from Charora Secondary School in Chaneng. Oratile is studying chemical engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand. Her outstanding school academic record and commitment to excellence made her a deserving recipient.
The Impala bursary application process, open from March 1 to September 30 each year, follows a rigorous selection criterion to ensure it aligns with Impala Rustenburg’s core business needs and supports its social and labour plan commitments.
Impala’s commitment to youth development has fostered numerous success stories. For example, Kutlwano Mokgoatlheng, a graduate intern from Phokeng, credits Impala’s internship and mentorship programmes for his professional growth. Similarly, Lucky Khunou, a miner at 16 Shaft, attributes his career advancement to the support and encouragement he received from his managers at Impala who recognised his potential.
Gaofengwe Molatlhegi, who started as a graduate intern and is now a Senior Metallurgist, says: “Through research and internship at Impala Rustenburg, I gained valuable skills in optimisation, communication and problem-solving. This experience propelled me into a graduate metallurgist role, where I excelled and eventually became a senior metallurgist. None of these opportunities would have been possible without Impala.”
Khanyiso Mtshulana, Mine Manager at 11C Shaft, emphasises the crucial role Impala played in his career journey: “Impala was constantly involved in ensuring I stayed on course to achieve my goals through mentorship, regular meetings and vacation work. They guaranteed me a job after graduation and their training shaped me into the professional I am today. As a young boy from Lusikisiki, becoming a mine manager and making decisions that impact the mine is a great achievement and I’m eternally grateful to Impala.”
Moses Motlhageng concludes: “As Youth Month comes to a close, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering the talents and aspirations of young people in our communities. Our holistic approach to youth development not only provides financial support but also equips young individuals with the skills, experience, and confidence needed to build sustainable careers and contribute to socioeconomic growth in Rustenburg.”