Breaking New Ground: Meet RPZ's first female General Engineering Supervisor

Twenty-one years in mining. Three major operations. And now, a title no woman has previously held at RPZ. Meet Sinte Libanda, RPZ's first-ever female General Engineering Supervisor (GES), leading the Drill and Blast Workshop.

For most people, stepping into a "first" like this would feel like uncharted territory. For Sinte, it feels like a natural evolution. "I’ve been training and working towards this opportunity for several years," she comments on the promotion.

Sinte's journey started decades ago as an auto electrician at Navachab Gold Mine. Then came NamDeb, where she worked on earth-moving equipment maintenance, followed by ten years at Dundee Precious Metals, running a full workshop, managing teams and overseeing contractors.

When she first joined RPZ in March, she had already spent two decades proving herself in her field. She joined RPZ as an Auto Electrician in the Transport Workshop before her promotion.

The Drill and Blast Workshop has historically been a man's world. Sinte knew that walking into it. What she didn't expect was just how warmly she was received. "By their reaction, by their expression, the welcome was sincere. They are very supportive. They always come to me and say, 'Whatever assistance you need, we are here.'"

When asked about her career goals, Sinte doesn't talk about titles, she talks about readiness. "I always say I need to explore more, to understand what it takes to be on the next level. Even if I am not the supervisor, I must be a good support, because when my supervisor steps out, the job must not stand still." And she holds her own team to the same standard: "I make sure that when I step out, the job must also not stop."

If there's one thing Sinte wants other women aspiring to work in mining to hear, it's to stop waiting for permission. "We shouldn't fear stepping in, especially at managerial level, these roles are more intellectually testing than physical. Once we step in, we can contribute significantly to the company."

Sinte isn't just a supervisor, she's also a netball player through and through. "I cannot really go without sport. We get so busy, and there's too much work to do, but we should still always make room for fitness, as a healthy body needs a healthy mind." She represented Navachab and NamDeb on the netball court and captained the team at Dundee Precious Metals, a role that went beyond sport, driving community fundraising and keeping local youth engaged in positive activities.

So, when RPZ's Corporate Games roll around in October, don't be surprised if Sinte is already on the netball court. In fact, finding the netball team was one of the first things she did after joining RPZ.

Sinte Libanda has spent 21 years building her career. Now, as RPZ's first female GES, she is writing a new chapter, setting a new example for women in mining. As she settles into her new role, Sinte's outlook remains firmly forward-looking: "I fully believe that anything is achievable. You just need to put in the effort, and you will fall in love with what you do."