Nqobile Valencia Mkhabela – Siyanqoba Ngamandla
Job Creator of the Year
Valentia Mkhabela founded Siyanqoba Ngamandla in 2013 with the goal to make a positive impact in the South African mining industry. That impact had modest beginnings, as Siyanqoba originally provided only cleaning services, but these days it is a powerhouse with three subsidiaries that specialise in engineering, mining and logistics, and energy respectively.
Siyanqoba Ngamandla Engineering offers electrical, mechanical and civil engineering services, as well as the supply, installation and maintenance of various plant components and systems. Siyanqoba Ngamandla Mining and Logistics, established in 2020, provides underground and opencast mining supplies, along with coal-hauling trucks and other transportation services. Siyanqoba Ngamandla Energy currently operates in the local oil and gas sectors but aspires to become a supplier to the lubricant oil, retail and wholesale sectors across Africa.
Each of the three subsidiaries have women at the helm. Valentia serves as managing director of the holding company in addition to leading Siyanqoba Ngamandla Engineering, while Thokozani Nkosi is the holding company CEO.
“We are proud to be regarded as a prominent role player in the industry,” notes Valentia, adding that the company emphasizes job creation, empowerment of women and youth, environmental sustainability and community development in all its activities. “We are committed to generating lasting value for all our stakeholders through professionalism, ensuring the wellbeing and safety of our staff and maintaining the highest standards of integrity in terms of the responsible use of South Africa’s mineral resources.”
Based in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, Siyanqoba has successfully delivered more than 20 projects since inception and grown its customer base by 350% to include some of the biggest names in the mining and energy sectors, such as Glencore, Anglo American, Eskom, CTC and Sasol.