Dr Nobuhle Nkabane

Deputy Minister

Department of Mineral Resources & Energy

In discussion with Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, current Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, member of National Assembley of South Africa and also member of Parliament.

How do you feel about the new posi�on

I’m super excited and nervous at the same �me. However, I understand very well that if the responsibility that you have been entrusted with doesn’t make you anxious it means that it is not huge enough. It is indeed huge, but I am prepared to put my hands on the deck to execute the responsibility that I have been entrusted with and try by all means to meet the expecta�ons obviously guided by the principles of good governance, ethical leadership and to execute my responsibility with dis�nc�on. l also wish to acknowledge the opportunity that has been afforded to me to work with such a

versa�le team led by Minister Mantashe which is entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding the heart of the South African Economy, the team demonstrates a very good organisa�onal culture which is aligned to the vision and mission of the department.

As you know gender balance and transforma�on has been the key factors in the industry and there are high expecta�ons on your strategy plan to normalise roles and responsibili�es through policy change. What is your five-year plan in making sure that the issues of women both in mining and energy are adequately addressed in the light of gender imbalance?

Amongst the quali�es that I possess is that I am a woman who is passionate about socio-economic development and transforma�on. My responsibility is to serve the na�on and to make transforma�ve laws for the Country and to be able to make a meaningful contribu�on in changing the lives of the marginalised and the vulnerable segments of our society and to develop programmes and ini�a�ves/ interven�ons that are responsive to the needs of our society.

In rela�on to the plans and vision in my new por�olio as the DM…. firstly; I want to applaud the government for the configura�on of the department of mineral resources and energy by merging two departments into one, which is a strategic move in promo�ng economic growth and development. I want to see more transforma�on in the minerals and energy sectors where there is improved turnaround �me in clearing mining licence applica�on backlogs, and to ensure that compliance obliga�ons under the prescribed regula�ons and legisla�on requirements are adhered to by both the mining industry and the energy sector. Furthermore, my interest will be in exploring alterna�ve models of addressing energy security challenges in South Africa for the country’s compe��veness and investment. Now that we are in the new normal during the COVID19 Pandemic, we need to invest in digital infrastructure and technological innova�ons to ensure smooth opera�ons for the purpose of achieving the set objec�ves of the department.

I want to have frequent engagements with the stakeholders and social partners in the mining and energy sector, and in par�cular African women since this is the

space that is more male dominated by other groups with the excep�on of black Africans. My wish is to see black African women mul�plying in the sector. We want women who

will invade the space and tap into all the opportuni�es in the Minerals and Energy Sector.

What role can the department play in promo�ng transforma�on for the benefit of women, youth and people with disability empowerment to ensure economic growth?

It is well known that the

government remains commi�ed to increasing women par�cipa�on in the minerals and energy sectors. My area of focus would be on outreach programmes to reach out to the youth, people with disabili�es and women aiming at empowering themselves in the mining and energy sectors. I would also reach out to learners in high schools for career guidance programmes on scarce and cri�cal skills and to disseminate

informa�on on careers and bursary opportuni�es offered by the department. Women and youth should tap into all the opportuni�es that are available in the mineral

resources and energy sectors. There is a dire need for the

department to advocate for the par�cipa�on and mainstreaming of youth, women and people with disabili�es in the economy including areas such as the petroleum, gas and oil industry, and the associated value chains

through socio economic ac�vism and commercial enterprises that can create social equity and address the imbalances of the past. In order to turn around the �des and expedite the pace of economic transforma�on in the Minerals and

Energy sectors during our life�me, we need to implement well thought and carefully considered bold interven�ons in order to

accelerate transforma�on

Dr Nobuhle Nkabane

The New Gender Ministerial Advisory Council. What informed the department to start this ini�a�ve and what will be the responsibili�es of members? The composi�on of the council is so impressive, it shows the department has stepped -up and is ready to provide leadership from the front. What is the long term goal and objec�ve of the council? How long will the council serve?

The Minister of Mineral Resources

and Energy, Gwede Mantashe approved the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality (WEGE) Strategy and implementa�on plans for the Energy Sector and the Energy Sector Gender Ministerial Advisory Council. The Launch of the WEGE Strategy for the Energy Sector, Implementa�on Plans and establishment of the

Gender Advisory Ministerial Council was held on the 31st August 2021.

The Energy Sector WEGE Strategy was developed to provide the strategic guidelines in the delivery of social and economic services that

are compliant to the cons�tu�on and other relevant legisla�ons. The effec�veness of this strategy relies on the joint implementa�on, efficient sectoral and departmental collabora�on as well as a

coordinated effort towards

integra�on and mainstreaming of gender in all aspects of the energy sector. The Gender Strategy calls for the establishment of the Energy Sector Gender Ministerial Advisory Council.

Women in Leadership

Private Sector / Government

The Gender Strategy calls for the establishment of the Energy Sector Gender Ministerial Advisory Council for a term of three years.

The Energy Sector Gender Ministerial Advisory Council is established to provide strategic and technical support, and advise the Minister and his Execu�ve on the

implementa�on of the Energy Sector WEGE Strategy. The Council will also report on sectoral and implementa�on progress to the Minister and the execu�ve as a

leader.

The Council will bring together key stakeholders in the energy sector and members will be

representa�ves of energy sector stakeholders. The Council will also

provide support to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy in South Africa.

The number of women in leadership both in the mining and energy sector is s�ll significantly low. Government is making an effort in tasking more women to leadership posi�ons. How can the government and Private sector work together to make sure that there is a balance of leadership and posi�ons requiring technical skills are filled based on merits and not gender?

It is indeed true that the women in

leadership both in the mining and energy sectors is significantly low. Having more women in Leadership posi�ons is more important than

ever. There is an interven�on by the government which is driven by the Department of Employment and Labour for the disbursement of the

COVID-19 relief funds to support businesses that have been affected

due to the COVID 19 Pandemic.

However, it should be noted that the government has made tremendous strides in bridging the gap and ensuring that women are emancipated and given an opportunity to lead from the front. There is a debate in academia that

says South Africa in par�cular is more like a poli�cised country as compared to other countries like China who are building a meritocra�c country where the leaders are deployed in strategic posi�ons based on merit and not based on gender or poli�cism.

This requires reforms in leadership by removing poli�cism, crea�on of a meritocra�c country and understanding issues of automa�on, technology and human capital in order to improve the quality of life of our ci�zenry. Whereby our centre of strategy in South Africa is educa�on by reorienta�ng the educa�on system to be more interna�onal, modern and forward looking through reskilling and upskilling. Women in leadership must have all the necessary skills and competencies.

Your appointment comes at a difficult �me when many South Africans have lost their jobs due to the current COVID 19 Pandemic. Is there a specific relief programme aimed at suppor�ng women’s own business to recover from these situa�ons? Deputy Minister, many women are looking forward to working with you, any closing remarks you wish to give to South Africa women in business?

Industrial Psychologist’s believe that a happy worker is a produc�ve worker…. We believe that workers’

rights ma�er and “workers’ rights are human rights.” The same applies to South African Women in Business, whereby ‘Women in Business’ rights ma�er’ and human capital development and upward mobility will remain our priority to women in Business. My belief is that in every crisis there is an opportunity. Even if there are impediments that are delaying transforma�on in the minerals and

energy sectors currently, through a social compact we are going to turn the �des, and resilience is the only hope that we have. Forward ever - backwards never for Women in Business!

mineralresources &energy

Department: Mineral Resources and Energy

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA