Internship Offers Nondumiso Solid Grounding In Human Resources Management

Human Resources Intern Nondumiso Ngwenya (22) is receiving comprehensive in field training on all aspects of human resources management, during the course of her oneyear internship programme at Kangra.

Nondumiso studied a Diploma in Entrepreneurship at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, in the Western Cape, but wanted to explore more about the people management aspect of business and thus applied for an internship at Canyon Coal’s human resources department.

She started off as a human resources intern at Canyon Coal’s head office in Sandton, Johannesburg and in February 2019 was transferred to an onsite internship at the company’s subsidiary, which forms part of the Menar group of companies, Kangra mine in Saul Mkhizeville, Mpumalanga in June 2019.

With no background in the mining industry, Nondumiso has quickly learnt about the intricacies and unique elements of human relationships and work dynamics that come with working in the mining sector.

“I have quickly fallen in love with the industry as I have come to understand the nuances of the sector and people that work within it. Working at head office was one thing, but the experience of working at the mine right here at Kangra has been even more interesting,” she states.

Being at the ‘coal face’ of the operation was initially a big adjustment as she explains: “At head office we were mostly office bound and only visited the mines occasionally. Here we are on site every day so there is always something new that we experience on a daily basis.

“It has been a steep learning experience, but one that I have thoroughly enjoyed to date,” Nondumiso remarks.

Setting Her Sights

Her short-term goal is to increase her experience in human resources and make the most of the remainder of her internship, which ends in February 2020. In the medium term Nondumiso would like to become a Human Resources Manager and the long-term goal is to become a General Manager or even a Managing Director.

“I have seen for myself that there is definitely room for major growth in the South African mining industry and as a driven young black woman, I strongly believe that if I develop my skills and knowledge, I can one day join the top ranks of the industry,” she asserts.