GIRL POWER: Behind the wheel of big mine machines
When Onkemetse Mmemo failed her BGCSE examinations, she was shattered. However, looking at what she is doing now to earn a living, it is clear that she was not going to let her poor performance in the Form 5 examinations deter her.
In fact, it appears she was inspired by that enduring maxim, ‘Life always offers you a second chance.’ The Serowe native immediately enrolled to re-write her Form 5 examinations again through the Ministry of Education’s adult education programme, landing an improved performance.
Today, she finds herself working in the pits of Orapa Diamond Mine as Driver Operator. The married mother of three, together with other team members, is among others, responsible for operating earth moving equipment in the mine. Her other duties include achieving production targets, safety and housekeeping standards.
Most of Debswana’s driver operators are male and Mmemo was quick to tell SUN SPARKLE that as a female driver operator, she believes she has the same ability and strength
as her male colleagues. She adds however, that the male co-workers have been supportive the few women in the section, making it easier for them to perform just as well as their brothers.
However, the biggest challenge in her work is juggling between working late night shifts and raising children. “I always strive to help them with school assignments before my night shifts. However, this is not always an easy task,” she discloses.
Mmemo’s has ambitions within Debswana. She works hard to ensure that one day she gets promotion into a senior role such as team leader or truck dispatch manager. The two jobs are even more rewarding, she shares. Mmemo advises the girl child who desires to pursue a career in mining to work hard as they will be expected to perform the same tasks as male colleagues. The girl child, she said, needs to change her mindset and know that at the mine, it is no longer about men being stronger than women – same results are expected from all employees irrespective of gender. Over the years, working in mines, especially down the pits, was a preserve for males. Not anymore!