Partner and human resources manager, Monique du Toit highlighted the significant changes over her 15 years at the company – including the remarkable growth in the level of representation of women in the company and as partners in the business.
“While there were no female partners in 2014, women now make up 30% of the partner group,” said Du Toit. “In the past five years alone, 50% of our partner appointments have been women.”
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She noted that SRK has always been a people-focused company, with a commitment to embracing diversity. The focus is on cultivating an environment where all employees can thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of race, gender or background.
“We are committed to promoting growth and happiness, both professionally and personally, through mutual respect and trust,” she explained. “Our managing director Andrew van Zyl once said: ‘We are strong because we are different’, and that is a sentiment that resonates deeply with me. This viewpoint extends beyond our company to include diversity as a whole.”
There is an understanding that people from different cultures and backgrounds contribute unique qualities, so that individual strengths complement one another.
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“This principle applies equally to the men and women at SRK,” she continued. “Both genders bring distinct perspectives to the workplace, because of their diverse experiences and viewpoints. This diversity fosters creativity and innovation as we challenge and collaborate with one another.”
She argued that women offer fresh perspectives in decision-making, innovative approaches to problem-solving, and a keen attention to detail. One of the ways that SRK embraced diversity was to provide the necessary flexibility and support to staff when starting families, allowing them to continue to grow their careers, said Du Toit; this was something she valued highly when she became a mother.
Senior engineering geologist Basetsana Mmileng has been with SRK since she graduated with her Honours degree in 2015, and has appreciated the company’s support in terms of further studies, training and conference opportunities.
“A recent highlight was an in-house workshop for women in SRK run by an industrial psychologist and coach, Lizanne de Jon looking at how to build our personal brands,” said Mmileng. “This sort of initiative is really helpful in understanding who you are as a woman and how to develop your leadership skills and relationships with colleagues and clients.”
SRK also encouraged staff to be involved in professional bodies and their activities; in Mmileng’s case, she is on the council of the South African Institute of Engineering Geologists. This includes participating in various initiatives funded by SRK including university engagements – helping prepare students for the workplace which is also an initiative SRK is passionate about. She acknowledged that with the proportion of women in some engineering and science disciplines still low, she hoped to inspire more women to enter engineering and scientific careers.
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Charmaine Mafa, a mining engineer at SRK, is encouraged by the growing number of women employed in the mining sector and the meaningful roles that these women are now occupying. She began her career at a coal mine, shadowing a female shift boss amongst others, and felt that women seeking careers in mining-related fields deserve greater visibility and awareness of the abundant opportunities available to them in this space.
After cutting her teeth in the production environment working for a mining company, she transitioned into consulting and recently took a position at SRK.
“I really appreciate how SRK supports employees in pursuing their interests and aspirations,” she said. “I was surprised at how keenly and authentically they listen – and how they introduced me to the relevant people within the company to help me follow my aspirations.”
Inclusion is another factor that’s important, making her feel part of the team, as well as the importance of mentorship. This includes internal mentoring, as well as the International Women in Resources Mentoring Programme, to which SRK is affiliated.
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