DRC Mining Week: Exclusive interview with Bongiwe Mabusela, Director of Empowerment Transactions Assessment at the South African Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.

“The DRC mining sector offers vast opportunities”

Exclusive interview with Bongiwe Mabusela, Director of Empowerment Transactions Assessment at the South African Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.

Ms. Mabusela is a longstanding featured speaker at DRC Mining Week and an official ambassador for the event.

Q: Thank you for joining us. Let’s start with some background on you and your current role at the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources and Energy.

A: Thank you for having me this afternoon. My name is Bongiwe Mabusela. I was born in Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape Province. During the holidays, we often visited the villages in the former Transkei. These villages had no electricity or running water, but they did have beautiful little gardens.

I must have been about 9 or 10 years old when I began my “unofficial job”—making tea every morning, sweeping the house, and doing handwashing on weekends. Cleaning was a daily task that had to be completed before I went to school. My mother was a tough, no nonsense woman, and those early responsibilities taught me resilience, tenacity, and grit— qualities that continue to define me today.

Currently, I serve as the Director for Empowerment Transactions Assessment at the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources in South Africa. I am responsible for evaluating empowerment transactions, with a focus on implementing policies and initiatives that promote sustainable mining practices, economic inclusion, and community development. My goal is to ensure that the mining sector is not only an economic powerhouse but also a purposeful force for upliftment, particularly for historically marginalised groups.

My academic background is in education and law. I began my career as an intern in what was then the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, working in the Director-General’s office. That experience helped me understand the department’s mission. I was later promoted and stationed in the North West Province, where I managed Social and Labour Plans— initiatives that ensure mining companies contribute to socioeconomic development in their host communities.

Eventually, I returned to our head office, overseeing operations across three provinces, before taking on my current role. My qualifications include a bachelor’s degree from Walter Sisulu University, a postgraduate program from Wits Business School, and an MBA in Executive Management from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business. These experiences have transformed how I think, and I firmly believe in lifelong learning to meet today’s complex challenges.

Q: Are there any specific projects you’re currently involved in that particularly excite you?

A: Absolutely. I’m especially excited about projects focused on increasing the participation of women, youth, and local communities in the mining ecosystem. These initiatives foster inclusion and innovation while addressing South Africa’s structural challenges.

One inspiring example is a women-owned company developing an MVP digital platform that promotes civic engagement and accountability. It’s promising to see how technology like this can empower communities, support governance, and influence the broader mining industry.

Another exciting area involves companies tackling global warming. One project that comes to mind is a company recycling water from slime dams. It’s a fantastic example of a circular economy—built on principles like reuse, maintenance, and redistribution.

I’m also leading an initiative to support women- and youth-owned companies involved in contract mining. Collaborating with mine engineers has opened meaningful opportunities for these historically excluded groups. This work breaks longstanding gender stereotypes and ensures young people, our future leaders, are actively involved in the sector.

Q: What are the main challenges in your work, and where do you see the greatest opportunities?

A: The mining industry is evolving rapidly, and with that comes both challenges and opportunities.

Let me begin with opportunities. Africa is rich in critical minerals essential for the global energy transition. These resources are a God-given leverage point—we must use them to negotiate a better future for our continent.

Value addition through mineral beneficiation is another key opportunity. Instead of exporting raw materials and, essentially, jobs, we can build robust local industries. We also have a youthful, entrepreneurial population eager to contribute. Mines generate employment, taxes, and royalties—important building blocks for national development.

That said, we do face challenges. Social tensions often arise in communities around mining operations. Living conditions are sometimes poor, and this can lead to issues like prostitution and the spread of HIV/AIDS. Communities also see inequality and a lack of investment in their development, leading to the rise of informal forums that sometimes operate outside

the law. Gender inequality remains another major issue. Women are still excluded from core mining roles due to entrenched biases.

Environmental degradation is also a concern. We need stronger enforcement of environmental laws to protect future generations.

And finally, illegal mining. It is often driven by poverty, unemployment, and weak governance. In many cases, child labour is involved, creating serious human rights issues that demand urgent attention.

Q: You’ve been a regular speaker at DRC Mining Week and an official ambassador for the event. What has your experience in Lubumbashi been like over the years?

A: The most underestimated resource in the DRC, especially in Lubumbashi, is its people. Their warmth, hospitality, and entrepreneurial spirit are remarkable. People there are energetic and ready to act, eager to build and grow.

There are often negative stereotypes and propaganda suggesting the DRC as too risky—but my experience has been the opposite. The country is full of untapped potential. Lubumbashi is a thriving city in a thriving nation that welcomes collaboration.

To investors, I say: come to the DRC. You won’t regret it. If you’re looking to diversify your revenue streams or tap into emerging global opportunities, this is the place to be.

Caption: Bongiwe Mabusela (second from right) taking part in a discussion on “Making Mining Safer for Women” at a previous DRC Mining Week in Lubumbashi.

Q: South Africans seem to do well in the Copperbelt region as suppliers and consultants. What opportunities do you see there?

A: The Copperbelt offers immense potential. South African expertise in areas such as technology, engineering, environmental management, and enterprise development is highly relevant.

There’s also a critical opportunity for knowledge transfer. South Africa’s experience with enterprise and supplier development can help accelerate local business growth in the DRC. By sharing best practices and success stories, we can support the creation of a thriving, self-sufficient mining ecosystem.

Q: South Africa and the DRC share many similarities: both are mining hubs with complex histories. How would you describe their relationship?

A: Absolutely. Both countries are major players in mining, and both face the challenge of balancing economic growth with social responsibility.

In South Africa, our mining history is shaped by apartheid. The Mining Charter of 2004 aimed to open opportunities for historically disadvantaged South Africans. It recognized the need to transform the sector and ensure inclusive participation.

By combining South Africa’s regulatory expertise with the DRC’s untapped mineral wealth, we can co-develop governance models that drive sustainable growth. Together, we can build a new era of industrialization, peace, and prosperity across Africa—perhaps even our own version of Silicon Valley.

Q: What will be your message at Lubumbashi this year?

A: My message is: “Value Through Collaboration.” Shared value is essential. If we want to build a sustainable mining industry, we must ensure social cohesion. The mining ecosystem must benefit those on the periphery—those who have been historically marginalised.

We must also ensure that the DRC remains open to investment. The country’s policies are clear and welcoming to investors.

But no mining company will invest unless it’s confident in the competitiveness and profitability of the destination. As companies profit, there must also be Performance with Purpose. That means achieving business success while ensuring meaningful community participation and long-term development. We don’t want to be left with ghost towns once the resources are depleted.

Collaboration is key. Sustainability is key. And we must ensure shared value that uplifts and includes local communities.

Q: Lastly, as a leader in one of Africa’s most influential mining regulators, what advice would you give to mining companies looking to align with your vision?

A: My vision is simple: African mining must drive economic transformation. We must seize these opportunities with both hands. We need the right skills, and we need authentic leadership—leaders who are genuine and principled in their approach.

As we lead and participate in the mining sector, we must believe that Africa is ready to take the world by storm. Africa is ready to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We’re ready to explore new frontiers and harness our God-given resources to propel this continent forward.