It was Nelson Mandela who famously said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. We couldn’t agree more, which is why in 2013 we awarded 537 bursaries to deserving students across the country. Why? Because we believe that quality education can make a real difference in South Africa.
One of the themes for our advertising campaign this year centres on education being a powerful catalyst for change. By education, we are talking about skills transfer in all its forms, be it bursaries, youth development, training, and so on. All of it makes a difference.
This is why in our first radio advert in 2014 we profile Jacob Diale, a promising young student in our Building Leadership and Shaping Talent (BLAST) programme. If you want hear Jacob’s journey, you can listen to the advert on our website.
We talked to Jacob to find out a little more about his dreams, his life, and how a bursary from Anglo American has opened up a world of opportunity for him. This is what he had to say:
Where are you from?
I am from Lebowakgomo, a township in Limpopo approximately 56km southeast of Polokwane.
What was life like growing up?
In my early years I grew up with my grandfather and grandmother in Burgersfort until I was 6-years-old. I then moved to Lebowakgomo where I lived with my parents who were both teachers at the time.
My parents always endeavoured to give the best in terms of education, and I grew up appreciating the little we had and gaining an understanding that only through hard work can one achieve their dreams.
Have your dreams come true yet
My dreams have changed as I’ve grown older, what I’ve dreamt about as a child is very different today to what I’ve dreamt about as a young adult. I don’t feel as though I have achieved my dreams, however I do feel as though the foundations have been laid that will ensure achieving them is inevitable.
How important is education to you?
Education to me is fundamental to the success of individuals and the country. It enables us to question, to be curious, to think broadly and to decipher complex ideas – all key ingredients for growth. I believe that one should never stop educating themselves. That’s why I’m currently completing my master’s degree in mineral economics, all thanks to Anglo American.
How did Anglo American come into your life?
During my matric year, I applied for a number of bursaries for my varsity studies. Anglo American’s Coal business offered me a bursary to study mining engineering.
What did this bursary enable you to do?
The bursary was truly a blessing. Apart from the obvious financial assistance the company provided, it also ensured that as students and potential future employees we were offered many more opportunities to grow.
Mentoring from senior managers, practical experience through holiday work, and many social interactions with senior executives are but a few of the enablers afforded to us by Anglo American. This kept us motivated and focused on completing our studies and eventually joining the company.
What do you do for a living today?
I am currently on a graduate programme called BLAST. This is Anglo American’s flagship graduate programme and affords graduates the opportunity to have three different jobs in two continents.
My previous role was in the CEO’s office as an analyst reporting to the executive director of Anglo American South Africa.
To me, this is testament to the opportunities that Anglo American continues to present young professionals in South Africa, and showcases the premium that this organisation places on building globally competitive local talent.
As of now, I’m currently working at Platinum’s Bathopele mine in Rustenburg.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I arrive at the mine at around 4:30am, I then receive the previous shift report from my manager (this includes information like where we have blasted, where we are drilling, where we need to prepare areas to support the tunnels we create etc.). Then at around 5am, we plan, together with my manager the work for the day, taking into account how many operators we have, how many working faces are available, what are some of the safety elements we need to consider and so on. I then go underground and communicate this to the team so that we can execute the plan.
Is there any final message you would like to put out there?
Anglo American has been offering bursaries to needing and deserving students for many years now. The group has changed the lives of so many South Africans through their many subsidiaries over the years.
A simple message would be to continue being an organisation that cares, an organisation that continues to invest in developing the potential of young South Africans. Through this, you are helping South Africa move forward.
Learn more about Anglo American bursary and graduate development programmes on our website.