Dimakatso Kesentswe Makgati, 31, is a technology transfer and knowledge facilitator at the Mine Health and Safety Council, where she promotes occupational health and safety in the mining industry. Like many women in this traditionally male-dominated sector, she faced difficulties when she started, such as finding the right-sized personal protective equipment, but she says that there are now policies in place that ensure that such problems are a thing of the past. Dimakatso believes in uplifting others, so much so that as soon as she got to university, she started teaching science, technology, engineering and maths to high school students. She did this because she was told by a teacher that “if you want to remember something forever, teach it”. Dimakatso’s proud that five of the learners she tutored got into tertiary education institutions and completed their courses. She’s now working with others to re-establish an organisation that provides tutoring for learners in the school holidays. She says the mining industry is becoming increasingly driven by technology. Embracing this technology makes mining accessible to all, regardless of gender or ability. But she says we need to upskill the youth first, so they can obtain employment in the sector.
Advanced Diploma in Mining Engineering, University of South Africa
National Diploma, University of Johannesburg
Postgraduate Diploma Business Administration (in progress), University of the Witwatersrand
Five of the matric learners I have tutored and mentored in rural areas got accepted at tertiary institutions and have completed their tertiary studies. Individually I could only do so much, but I’m certain that if these kinds of initiatives are taken at a larger scale there would be much impact.
Thabile Makgala, who proactively advocated and fostered diversity and inclusivity at all levels, and helped me to attain my full potential. It was easy for me to be influenced by her because I could relate: she’s a woman in the same sector as I am, had studied mining and engineering and is a trailblazer.