Mining becomes Musa’s forte

Musa Ntsele, Balgarthen shaft mine overseer                         

Now, overseeing operations at Kangra's Uthingo (formerly Balgarthen) Shaft, Musa Ntsele finds fulfilment in leading his team to unparallel success. "We are the top section in this mine," he says, highlighting the collaborative effort that drives the Shaft’s performance with support from colleagues and management.

Coming from Ladysmith in KwaZulu Natal, a town not traditionally associated with mining, Musa’s path to the industry was unconventional. "Growing up, I was never exposed to mining," he recalls. It was not until one of his high school teachers introduced him to the field that he began to consider it as a career option. "It was the first-time hearing someone talking about the mines," he explains. Intrigued by the prospect of an industry beyond the familiar options of medicine, law, or teaching, Musa decided to take a shot at mining.

He completed his matric at Dundee High School in 2007 and graduated with a BTech Mining Engineering from the University of Johannesburg five years later. Mosa went on to do his internship at Springlake Colliery in Dundee where he also obtained a blasting certificate. He was then appointed miner, before moving on to work for other mining companies.

As he progressed through various roles, from miner to shift boss, Musa found himself drawn to the opportunity that makes a difference. "It's about making a meaningful impact,” he says.