“Being here is more than selling—it’s about being recognised and connecting with a wider audience”- Mr iSalute
Exxaro hosted its annual CEO Safety Summit on Friday, April 11, 2025, bringing together all its mining operations and key industry stakeholders at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre.
Forming part of the summit was the Market Day Exhibition, hosted a day before, where 10 local businesses—most from the Victor Khanye Local Municipality—were given a platform to showcase and sell their products to over 2,000 attendees. The exhibitors who continued to sell at the big Friday event included Proud Monkey ZA, That Thing Holdings, Queenspower, Endumbeni Cultural & Creative Arts Centre, SDM Gallery, Delply Softies, Be Bold Holdings SA, Bandile Harry Trading Enterprise, iSalute, and MoPoxy. They offered a wide range of goods, from designer clothing and sneakers to cleaning products, arts & crafts, and jewellery.
Speaking to the publication, Exxaro Leeuwpan Business Unit Manager Ronald Teffo said the opportunity formed part of the mine’s Social Impact Strategy, with a particular focus on Small, Micro and Medium Enterprise (SMME) Development. “At Leeuwpan, we believe true growth starts at the grassroots. Supporting our local vendors isn’t just good business—it’s how we build sustainable communities and unlock real, shared value,” said Teffo.
Newly appointed Exxaro Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ben Magara, who officially began his tenure on April 01, also highlighted the importance of empowering local entrepreneurs. “Days like today—during the CEO Safety Summit—we invite the entrepreneurs we’ve helped develop and fund. They come and showcase their work so our mines can see their services and potentially use them in their operations, or even recommend them to the greater society,” he said.
Magara added by sharing his commitment to supporting SMMEs, “I’ve been on the board for the past three years and was part of the team that approved the Social Impact Strategy. Now, as CEO, my role is to implement and execute it. We’re putting more energy into ensuring our communities and suppliers grow into fully-fledged companies serving not only Exxaro but other industries too.”
Magara concluded by encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to engage with Exxaro’s stakeholder forums and further encouraged existing businesses: “If you’ve already started, work hard, differentiate yourself, and show how you add value—to Exxaro, to your family, and your community. We will do business with you.”
Speaking on the opportunity to exhibit, Shadrack “Shaddy The Artist” Ntiwane, founder of That Thing Holdings, who painted a portrait of the CEO and Leeuwpan BU, described the experience as a career highlight. “This has opened doors to networking, exposure, and growth. The support from Exxaro and fellow exhibitors has been overwhelming.”
Queenspower founder Queeneth Sibande said the event reignited her passion. “It reminded me why I started and gave me renewed confidence.”
Doctor “Mr iSalute” Lubisi from Isalute Wear and Kollabo Street Wear also commended the opportunity: “As proudly local brands, being here is more than selling—it’s about being recognised and connecting with a wider audience.”
While walking around the exhibitors’ stands, the CEO, accompanied by Exxaro Board Chair Geoffrey Qhena, was handed a surprise gift by Gogo Nosinky Mahlangu — a renowned Ndebele artist and recipient of the Order of Ikhamanga — during his visit to the Endumbeni exhibition stand. He warmly received the gift, which included one of Gogo Nosinky’s artworks and a book about her.
