Middelburg – Experienced internal and external stakeholder manager appears to have laid a solid relations foundation between Middelburg-based smelter, RST Special Metals, and the immediate communities in the Steve Tshwete municipality.
After years of dedicated service since joining the industry through Rio Tinto’s Richards Bay Minerals in 1990 and unmatched experience, seasoned community liaison manager, Mbuyiseleni Mthiyana, also known as Mbu, has finally stepped away from the daily grind at the company after his contract with has ended.
The juncture affords him a well-deserved opportunity to pursue private interest towards retirement-both an industry consultant and an entrepreneur-trading boardroom meetings and community engagements for leisurely pursuits and newfound passions.
The industrious Mthiyana is fondly remembered for his visionary leadership style, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation within RST Special Metals, a division of Siyanda Smelting & Refining (SSR) which is a subsidiary of Siyanda Resources.
His journey in strategic stakeholder engagement saw him traverse Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Northern Cape, Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal. He has been with the titanium industry, chrome industry, platinum, iron ore and base metals.
His ability to communicate, provide information and facilitate dialogues between community members and guide them through complex projects, left a lasting impact on the company.
He has also been advocating for the needs of the community and concerns within the organisation, ensuring that community voices are heard and considered in decision-making processes.
This became evident during when the company made inroads in the Steve Tshwete municipality at the time when stakeholder relations were at its lowest with a history of strained relations and community protest.
RST Special Metals invited the eloquent down-to-earth Mthiyana, whose experience in strategic relation mediate and his exit leaves a footprint of good relations.
One of his key success factors includes the establishment of the forum with key community representatives that resulted in sustainable initiatives including providing school uniforms to needy community learners in schools such as Thushananag Primary School in Mhluzi, Khulunolwazi Primary School in Extension 24.
The programme has now been extended to 75 learners in Ekwazini Secondary, Middelburg Mine, Mphanama Secondary, Sofunda Secondary, Phumelela Secondary and Middelburg Combined Schools where 15 learners also have their school fees being paid for.
Monthly grocery support to 18 households over a 12 months period in Mhluzi, Extention 24 and Rockdale.
Skilled artisans programme absorbing 15 learners with aim to obtain much needed skills beyond the operational needs of the RST processing units as well as a learnership programme that absorbed 12 unemployed youth within the surrounding communities.
The news of stepping down do not go down well with some of the forum members, Mthiyana approached the transition with meticulous planning, ensuring a smooth handover of responsibilities to his successor, Peculiar Malevu. This included detailed documentation, gradual introduction, hands-on transition, and a commitment to remain available for consultation during the initial adjustment period.
“This is one gentleman who gave us and ear, invited us into the boardroom and encouraged us to speak in terms of what we want as a community,” says a forum member who remained anonymous.
Selinah Ntuli, one of the beneficiaries of the social relief programme, hailed Mthiyana for putting them first. “We need more people like him; who will not only listen to community concerns, but will go an extra mile towards ensuring that we are being considered. Mr Mthiyana has been doing that,” she says.
Now, with newfound freedom, Mthiyana will be actively pursuing interests that were once relegated to weekends while pursuing his long-time passion and spending quality moments with loved ones, reconnecting with family and friends on a deeper level.
When reflecting on his journey, he states “The industry has been my hewing stone and home to wake up to and the stakeholders have been nothing but kind.”
He further expresses gratitude for what he called a learning experience he never paid a cent for. “Rio Tinto helped him pursue a junior qualification, Exxaro a post graduate through Southern Business School, Anglo UCT-Business School and Siyanda General Management and international exposure qualification through the Gordon Institute of Business Sciences,” he says.
“I hold these giants of industry in high esteem and have made long-term relationships with these communities and captains of industry. Community representatives have expressed a need for inclusion and RST bridging the gap for those in need. We agreed on a systematic approach to finding a happy medium.
My CEO, Diale Mokwena, at operations level, Group Executive Sustainability, Hope Tyira, as well as Lindani Mtwa, Siyanda Group Chair, as well former CEO of Siyanda Bakgatla Platinum Mine, Francois Uys. They have been my source of inspiration and support through my stay in the Group. I owe them a world of gratitude,” Mthiyana adds.
“I also thank the Steve Tshwete leadership and community forums that open their hearts and the right hand of fellowship to me despite the thorny issues that we had to work through together.”
