As one of the largest private sector employers, and the biggest mining company in the country, talent plays a central role in the core functioning of Anglo American. In South Africa, the company is responsible for a workforce of more than 82,000 full-time employees and contractors.
“Our people are as vital to our success as our mining assets and it is ultimately they who realise our ambitions and deliver on strategies,” says executive director at Anglo American in South Africa Khanyisile Kweyama.
As a leader of Anglo American in South Africa, Khanyisile has a vision that sets the goal and tone for the company, and she feels it is her job to help guide each person’s contribution towards that. “I want to make a difference, but I can’t do it on my own. Every good leader needs to be surrounded with a healthy mix of different skills. That is technical expertise, financial expertise, logistical skill and more. We certainly have this at Anglo American and my role is to pull it all together and make sure that it stays on track,” says Khanyisile.
Anglo American recognises that employees are vital and make up the company’s success. Therefor the company invests a significant sum into the development of skills. In 2012, over R700 million was invested in direct training activities, supporting nearly 2,845 bursars, apprentices, graduates and other trainees.
Moreover, 1,200 employees, contractors and community members are currently enrolled in Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) programmes. The ABET programme is run by our business units and the corporate centre office, and provides general education to adults who have not all had access to formal schooling.
“We know that our success rests on the knowledge and efforts of our people,” says Khanyisile. “We are therefore committed to improving skills and growing our most precious resource.”