BCL mine on a journey to develop leaders

Onalenna Kelebeile | Thursday March 26, 2015 17:31

Speaking during the graduation ceremony for 34 BCL employees, who were studying at the University of Johannesburg under the leadership development programme (LDP) on Tuesday, Mahupela said the mine has embarked on a journey to build leaders that are steadfast as it undertakes to transform into an enterprise.

As part of the Polaris 11 strategy, BCL intends to spread its footprint nationally and internationally to new emerging opportunities.

The mine’s commitment is to build a robust mining metallurgical and chemical industry. Mahupela said this would not be possible without a solid leadership team.

“At this critical stage of our business, the development of a better and different leadership and a breed of managers is highly desirable.

“Leaders will have to reinvent themselves if they wish to remain relevant and make meaningful contribution given the emerging new order of BCL business under Polaris 11 with its commensurate challenges,” he added.

University of Johannesburg’s head of Industrial Psychology and People Management, Professor Theo Veldsman said the mine’s leadership programme is all about BCL believing in the future and said leadership holds the future of any organisation on its hands.

“By doing this, BCL believes that there is a future. We are humbled by the fact that BCL engaged our institution to assist them in this journey. This is a symbol of trust,” he added.

Professor Veldsman said in terms of capacity building, leadership must have passion to go out and fulfill their roles as leaders and also lead from their hearts to bring hope for BCL.

“It is going to be tough so you must lead from your guts and have courage regardless of which side you are hit from,” he said.

For his part, Botswana Confederation of Commerce Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM) president, Lekwalo Mosienyane said many businesses collapsed not because of weak demand for their products and services, but due to unsuitable leadership.

He emphasised that good leadership is a cornerstone of success for businesses, governments, civic organisations and the society at large. He told graduates: “You have the awareness, understanding and skills that are needed to take BCL through its transformational path of not being just a mine on the verge of closure to a competent and truly diversified mining and resources company. I am confident that you will put your acquired skills and energy to good use.”

Mosienyane added that the graduation ceremony marks the establishment of a revitalised crop of leaders at BCL and said he has no doubt that BCL will harvest a lot from the graduates.

BCL LDP is in line with the theme of the company’s corporate strategy that calls for transforming the organisation into a culture of high performance, employee engagement and commitment.

The company’s employee engagement survey of 2010 pointed an accusing finger in the area of leadership at the mine as it showed a disturbing lack of resolve and capacity to improve on employee engagement, commitment and delivery.