Human Capital Investment: A Top Priority At Kangra

In order to establish a positive corporate culture and support matriculants, university graduates and staff on their personal and professional growth paths, companies have a duty and responsibility to provide opportunities for educational advancement and training.

The task of coordinating this important aspect of people empowerment falls to Siyabonga Mgobhozi.

Siyabonga notes that part of human resources development is the awarding of bursaries. Kangra annually awards bursaries as part of its Social and Labour Plan for mine surveying, geological sciences, environmental management, accounting, human resources and electrical engineering to young recent matric graduates.

The intake of bursary students for 2020 commenced in October 2019 with many local applicants currently being considered.

“These bursaries are advertised in the local communities and recipients are then selected based on their qualifying criteria,” Siyabonga says. He explains that the bursaries run throughout the duration of the course of the students’ years of study. These comprehensive bursaries cover tuition, accommodation, monthly allowances, provision of laptops, study materials and associated study costs.

The six current bursary students are studying at universities throughout South Africa including University of Johannesburg, Durban University of Technology, Stellenbosch University, University of the Witwatersrand and Mangosuthu University of Technology.

Siyabonga notes that the average degree costs around R220 000 per year and takes on average three years to complete, which equates to Kangra investing in excess of R600 000 on each student during the duration of their studies.

“We also have four engineering apprenticeships, two of which have successfully completed their training this year. There are five learner miners that are currently training in all aspects of mining,” he points out, noting that Kangra is spending around R900 000 a year on these apprenticeships.

Moreover, he highlights that another important source of human resource development is internal development of Kangra’s staff members, who want to further their studies.

“It is greatly fulfilling to aid interns, trainees and staff on their career paths,” Siyabonga concludes.

About Siyabonga

Siyabonga has over 17 years of experience in human resources and was appointed to the position of Kangra Human Resources Manager in May 2019. He has worked in the coal, platinum group metals, gold, chrome, cement mining and quarrying sectors previously and thus has a comprehensive understanding of the mining industry and the people who work in it.