Maloma empowers rural youths with scarce skills
Seluliwe Nomfundo Mamba has always wanted a career that would challenge her talents, help her grow professionally, and shatter the stereotype that some jobs are only meant for males.
She has always wanted to be a good role model to other young people, especially the girl child.
To fulfil her dreams, Seluliwe pursued science studies at Wits University where she obtained a BSc Engineering in Mining. She later became a Rock Engineering trainee at Maloma CollieryLimited, where she is fortifying her skills in the field.
In July 2021, Seluliwe was a Graduate in Training at Maloma Mine. In August 2022 she started the apprenticeship training. She says completion is based on her passing her examinations, which she will sit for in May 2024 and October 2024. Mamba is left with four papers. Whilst she is currently applying her skills in entities outside of the mine she will be returning to Maloma in June 2024.
“I am grateful to the company for allowing me to upskill myself and gain experience outside of Maloma. This will assist in improving the business as my experience will come in handy,” Mamba says.
“The highly skilled job opportunities that the apprenticeships programme of Maloma mine leads to are exactly the sort of jobs we need more of in our country.”
Mamba also highlighted the fact that the apprenticeship programme of Maloma Mine enables young people to work and learn valuable skills at the same time.
Mamba is, but one of scores of young people who have benefitted from the apprenticeship programme provided by Maloma Mine over the years. It was gathered that the apprenticeship programme is valued at over E500,000 and lasts for five years. Had Maloma Mine not extended it to some of the young people, many would not have been able to benefit from the upskilling opportunities it provides due to the cost.
Another young person who has been uplifted by the programme is Vuyo Ndzabandzaba from the Sigwe area in Lavumisa. Ndzabandzaba finished school in 2018 and successfully applied to join the apprenticeship programme when the intake was advertised in the local press by Maloma Colliery Limited.
Today he is a qualified Mechanical Engineer and is employed at the mine. Maloma offers school leavers the chance to develop crucial skills, particularly in STEM careers through a life-changing apprenticeship programme.
The programme is endorsed by internationally recognised qualifications and accreditation institutions, hence the certificates open any doors around the world.
“I am eternally grateful to Maloma mine, especially our Group Chairman Mr Michelo Shakantu and the entire team for the selflessness they extended to me through this golden opportunity that changed my life and made me a better person,” said Ndzabandzaba.
“Without Maloma mine I would not be here. I thank God Almighty for Maloma Mine and what the company is doing to uplift the lives of emaSwati. By God’s grace my apprentice journey has not only shaped who I am, but has deeply influenced my work, career, even my family and friends.”
Maloma Mine has several projects in the three communities in which it operates. These are in the Lubombo and Shiselweni regions and are made up of three clans, the Dlamini, Mamba, and Mngomezulu. Together they have a population of an estimated 100,000 people.
The mine gives employment opportunities to about 1000 people, with 800 being permanent positions.
Jabu Shabangu, the CEO of Maloma Colliery Limited says developing skills for the future and empowering young people for the highly-demanding world of work and entrepreneurship is the company’s priority goal.
Shabangu added that Maloma Colliery Limited said they were honoured to have the opportunity to play a role in shaping the future of young people in the communities in which the mine operates, and across Eswatini. “Young people are an important part of the country and the future belongs to them. Investing in youth skills development is equal to investing in a bright future for our country,” Shabangu said.
“We are grateful to our partners the DIVT team and all stakeholders with whom we are collaborating in empowering young people with skills and life-enhancing opportunities.”
Shabangu encouraged the youth to take these opportunities with both hands and utilise them properly.
“Our wish is for the young people to pass on the skills they have learned to their peers and to positively contribute to their families and communities.”
She added that creating jobs, generating economic opportunities and boosting the skills of emaSwati in the three communities in which they operate, and across the entire country are at the heart of their business.
“Growing our skills pipeline is an incredibly important part of playing our role in support of national efforts of economic growth.”
Some of the benefits of the Maloma Mine apprenticeship programme include:
• Ability to work all over the world with high earning potential
• Constant opportunity to upskill and transition into adjacent fields
• Practical experience with the latest equipment and technology in one’s field.