Two of Exxaro’s rising stars have been named as finalists in the Standard Bank Top Woman of the Year awards.

Johanne Struwig, Exxaro’s first female Plant Manager, and Bontle Mtshengu, the mine’s first female Engineering Manager, will battle it out with other top female achievers to be named Standard Bank Top Woman of the Year winners on 15 August in Johannesburg.

Struwig – who as Plant Manager is responsible for operations of a mine – is a finalist in the Top Young Achiever of the Year category, while Mtshengu has been shortlisted in the Top Gender Empowered Organisation: Resources category.

Says Struwig, Plant Manager at Exxaro’s Leeuwpan Coal mine in Delmas, Mpumalanga, “I’m honoured to have been nominated. As a female in a male-dominated industry, I strive to empower other young women and encourage them to join forces with the women already working in the South African mining industry.”

Mtshengu – who leads a team of over 200, is responsible for ensuring the company complies with its engineering strategy and health and safety standards at Leeuwpan – says she is motivated by improving people’s lives.

“For me leadership is about people. The most important resource for any business is its employees. Making time and taking care of their basic needs is a vital role of a leader,” she adds.

Mangaliso Sethethi, Business Unit Manager of Leeuwpan Coal Mine, says Struwig and Mtshengu are pioneers who were breaking barriers.

“Johanne and Bontle are exemplary employees who are valued members of the management team. I am delighted at this honour accorded to them which is testament to the work Exxaro is doing to power better lives for our female employees.”