MQA Newsletter Second Quarter 2012
Transcript of MQA Newsletter Second Quarter 2012
Adult literacy celebrated
mqA gives more than 67 minutes to Amazing Grace Children’s Home
An informed career choice
M I N I N G Q U A L I F I C A T I O N S A U T H O R I T Y
MQA
SECOND quArtEr 2012
inside THis issUe
02
How time flies! The second quarter of the financial
year has come and gone. We are in our third quarter
of the financial year. The exciting news is that the MQA is moving from
74-78 Marshall Street in Johannesburg to 7 Anerley Road in Parktown.
Hopefully the move will result in improved motivation levels and better
facilities for both our staff and stakeholders.
The MQA celebrated a very successful International Literacy Day event
in partnership with the National Union of Mineworkers and BHP Billiton
Energy Coal at the Tshwane University of Technology at the eMalahleni
campus. This event was supported by the Honourable Mayor of eMalahleni
Ms Salome Sithole as well as the MEC of Education in the Mpumalanga
Province the Honourable Ms Reginah Mhaule.
To support education and decision making, various career guidance events
were held for over 20 000 learners at the Department of Higher Education
and Training Mandela week held in Taung and the Department of Mineral
Resources learner focus week held in the Northern Cape. What is consist-
ent is that most learners from disadvantaged schools are not exposed to
the varied career choices available to them. Greater efforts are necessary
to encourage young learners to consider mining careers as a choice.
The learning programmes unit hosted its regional workshops in five
provinces to assist companies to understand the processes involved in
taking on learners, the support and benefits for our sector. We further
interviewed a learner Ms Matete Precious Makine on her experiences as
a learner miner (read about her on page 10).
Our goal is to keep you informed. Do enjoy reading the “fresh look”
MQA news.
Keeping you informed!
merle Clark
editor’s note
Editor: merle Clark
Email: [email protected]
Editorial team: Amanda masilo and Baitse mokiti
Copy editor: Adri Viviers
Photography: mqA communications team and Photos.com, a division of Getty Images
Mining Qualifications Authority (mqA)
Physical address: 7 Anerley road, Parktown, JHB
Tel (switchboard): 011 630 3500
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mqa.org.za
Design and layout: Isikhova Publishing & Communications (Pty) Ltd
Website: www.isikhova.co.za Senior designer: Joanne Brook Project co-ordination: mandie van Niekerk Email: [email protected]
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be produced, adapted, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of MQA.
The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the publishers or its agents. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents, neither the owners nor the publishers can be held responsible for any omissions, errors, or for any misfortune, injury or damages which may arise therefrom. The same conditions apply to any advertising in the publication.
LeTTers To THe ediTorDear Reader
Stakeholders are encouraged to submit letters to the editor for
publication in the next newsletter edition. We would like to know
your views and opinions on various projects, the organisation and
what you would like to read about. Drop us an email or mail us at:
The Editor: MQA News, Private Bag x118, Marshalltown, 2107 or email: [email protected]
ediTor’s noTe .................................. 02
adULT LiTeracy ceLebraTed .......... 03
Learning programmes
regionaL worksHops .................. 04
mqa gives more THan
67 minUTes To amazing
grace cHiLdren’s Home .............. 05
an informed career cHoice ..... 06
recogniTion of skiLLs and
compeTence aT angLo american’s
new denmark coLLiery ...................08
Learner profiLe:
maTeTe precioUs makine.............. 10
2012 acc ...........................................11
MQA NEWS • SECOND QUARTER 2012
03
Ranito Zilo, an ABET graduate and current fore-
man at Xstrata Coal SA’s speech, was the highlight of
the 2012 International Literacy Day celebrations on 8
September 2012 at the Tshwane University of Technology
eMalahleni campus. Zilo encouraged learners to persevere
in their studies and work hard. He further shared his
personal achievements stating that enrolling in an ABET
training programme was the best decision he had ever
made. He further stated that even through hardships
learners can accomplish what they set out to achieve.
This annual event was hosted by the Mining Qualifications
Authority (MQA), the National Union of Mine workers
(NUM) and BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa
(BECSA). The aim of the event was to celebrate ABET
achievements and to promote ABET learner participation
in the mining sector. More than 1 400 adult education
and training learners from various provinces attended
the event.
The occasion kicked off with a welcome address by the
Honourable Mayor of eMalahleni, Ms Salome Sithole, who
extended her gratitude to the MQA, NUM and BECSA for
hosting the event at eMalahleni, an area that is sometimes
overlooked for such important events. Representatives
from the MQA, NUM and BECSA highlighted their
contributions and the importance of the event. Ms
Lebogang Mokoena, representing the DHET, introduced
the Mpumalanga MEC for Education who, as an educator
herself, addressed the delegates by highlighting the fact
that “one is never too old to learn”. In her key note
address, the MEC of Education in Mpumalanga Ms Regina
Mhaule encouraged the delegates to take education
seriously. She said, “People must not remain stagnant
in one position but should aim to progress to higher
positions. This can only be accomplished by studying”.
Jimmy Tshwane, an ABET facilitator at BECSA, gave
learners a word of encouragement and highlighted the
importance of being literate.
The Xstrata Coal SA Sweet Melodies, Epabalele Mmotla
traditional dancers and PYG Marimba entertained guests,
while the Gang of Instrumentals group had both young
and old dancing on their feet.
The event recognised ABET learners who performed well
on their ABET levels one to four. This annual event is
celebrated in South Africa to acknowledge programmes
such as ABET and their role in improving literacy levels
across the nation.
Adult literAcy ceLebraTed
(Above): Delegates enjoying the 2012 International Literacy day celebrations.
(Above, from left): Mpumalanga MEC for Education the Honourable Reginah Mhaule; ABET graduate Ranito Zilo; Honourable Mayor of eMalahleni Salome Sithole, Gang of Instrumentals entertaining the delegates.
04
MQA NEWS • SECOND QUARTER 2012
The Learning Programmes Unit participated in its
planned regional workshops with the intention of
consulting, educating and engaging directly with the
implementers of learning programmes in the MMS.
Discussions were held on the processes involved in the
implementation of these programmes. This included the
administrative processes, documentation requirements,
grant processes as well as timelines for registering of
learners and submission of documents.
The workshops were a success as delegates in atten-
dance engaged on issues. Most delegates indicated
that the presentations tabled brought a sense of
understanding of how they should implement different
learning programmes. Some were not even aware of the
grant application process and appreciated the initiative.
The Learning Programme (LP) Unit intends to continue
with these regional workshops and will communicate
dates for upcoming ones.
We are pleased to inform all our stakeholders that the
MQA will be moving its offices to a new location. The MQA
will be terminating its current building lease agreement
on 30 November 2012 and occupying the new premises
from 1 December 2012. Further information about the
relocation will be communicated to you through various
communication channels including e-mails and our
website. The new address for the new MQA offices is:
7 Anerley road, Parktown.
Discretionary Grants
The following was noted in terms of discretionary grants:
• The discretionary grants were not disbursed as they
should have been on most projects (e.g OHS, ABET, FLC,
Mining Environmental Control and the Learners with
Disabilities Project).
• Although companies have applied for these grants,
and allocations were made, the submission process and
actual implementation is very slow.
Employers and Providers
The Learning Programmes Unit would like to urge all
employers who have been allocated the discretionary
grants to commence with these by implementation and
submitting the required documentation to ensure the
disbursement of the grants. This will help achieve the
objectives of overall skills development.
NO region Date
1North-West
(Rustenburg – Orion Safari)29 May 2012
2Mpumalanga
(Witbank – Protea Hotel)31 May 2012
3Limpopo
(Steelpoort – Lapeng Guest Lodge)06 June
2012
4Gauteng
(Johannesburg – Parktonian Hotel)22 June
2012
5Northern Cape
(Kuruman – El Dorado Hotel)19 July 2012
The following regions were visited:leArning ProgrAmmes
regionaL worksHops
the mQA moves To new offices on
1 december 2012
05
MQA NEWS • SECOND QUARTER 2012
The visit to Amazing Grace Children’s Home by more than
10 MQA staff members on 18 July 2012 deeply touched
the hearts of the orphaned children. The staff members
spent more than 67 minutes playing, nursing and feeding
the children.
The home looks after and provides shelter to orphans,
children from abusive backgrounds and abandoned
children from birth to 18 years. Staff donated clothes,
food, sweets and cool drinks for the children to enjoy on
the day.
Founder of the Home, Grace Mashaba, was overjoyed by
the visit and all that was donated to the children. “Words
cannot even begin to express my gratitude for what
the MQA has done for my children,” she said. Mashaba
herself suffered abuse as a child.
The Amazing Grace Children’s Home is situated in
Eikenhof, South of Johannesburg. The Home became
the second beneficiary of the MQA’s Corporate Social
Investment (CSI) programme following the Orlando
Children’s Home.
“As a responsible corporate entity, our aim with this
initiative is to care for the needy and to support these
shelters to ensure a better future for all,” said MQA Chief
Executive Officer, Sam Seepei.
Earlier in the year, the MQA donated a cheque of R20 000
to the Home to improve its computer laboratory.
MQA employees are always enthusiastic in supporting the
initiative and have contributed clothing, non-perishable
foods, toys and money. The Customer Service and
Communication Department would like to extend a word
of appreciation for the support shown by those who
are always willing to give to the needy and those who
selflessly continue to support the initiative.
mQA gives more thAn 67 minutes to amazing grace cHiLdren’s Home
(Above): Ms Grace Mashaba; the Amazing Grace Children’s home founder. (Top left, from left): Bridgette Mathebula, Erica Raphoto,
Tintswalo Nkuna (carrying the baby) and Evodia Mkhaliva.
06
MQA NEWS • SECOND QUARTER 2012
An increased number of young people residing within
mining communities lack the knowledge concerning
available careers in mines and the richness of their
soil. The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) often
participates in career expos and open days to ensure
that learners are provided with career guidance that
will ultimately assist them in making an informed career
decision. The MQA officials that provided career guidance
interacted with more than 20 000 of the learners that
attended the following three career guidance initiatives.
DHEt mandela Day Festival
In celebration of the 27 years that Nelson Mandela spent
in prison, a campaign called Mandela Day was born. This
day is celebrated on 18 July. During the week of 17-
20 July 2012 the Department of Higher Education and
Training hosted the DHET Mandela Day festival career
exhibition in Taung which saw all 21 SETAs exhibiting at
the event. The event attracted grade 8-10 learners from
more than 20 schools in the area.
The MQA saw this initiative as a platform to educate
learners on the various career paths available in the
mining and minerals sector and how these programmes
can be accessed. On 18 July, the Honourable Minister
of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande,
took the stand and gave learners and delegates a
message of encouragement by emphasising that career
guidance and advice is central to ensure that students
perform better in colleges and universities.
An informed career cHoice
(Above): Ms Amanda Masilo, MQA Communications Specialist offers career guidance
07
MQA NEWS • SECOND QUARTER 2012
The Department also pledged to give 67 bursaries to top
performing learners in the Taung District Municipality
in its commitment to education and in honour of the
27 years Nelson Mandela spent in prison.
One of the Government’s mandate to the MQA is
to increase career guidance in rural areas where
information is not easily accessible the MQA prides itself
on its career guidance initiatives.
DMR Learner Focus Week
The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) annually
hosts the DMR Learner Focus week which took place
from 1-6 July 2012 in the Northern Cape. The DMR
selects learners who perform well in mathematics,
science and technology from rural, semi-urban areas
across the country.
The event included a science fair in which learners had
to identify a problem in a surrounding mining area and
create a model that would assist in solving the problem.
A mini-quiz was also completed by all learners for a prize.
An award ceremony was held to celebrate the winners of
the model and the quiz on the final day. The MQA awarded
bursaries to the two learners from the Western Cape that
won for the best model. These learners will pursue their
studies at any higher education institution of their choice.
Pat Gumede from the DMR commended organisations
such as the MQA on their role in promoting skills
development in the sector.
Eastern Limb Career Expo
The Eastern Limb Career Expo is an annual event intended
to increase awareness concerning skills shortages in
mines. The event was hosted by the mines in the Eastern
Limb from 14-17 August 2012 at the rural Lydenburg’s
Sports Centre. The mines support Government in
encouraging young people to pursue careers in
the fields that require mathematics and science
through this initiative. Over 8 000 grade 9
learners from surrounding schools attended the
event. Learners were encouraged to choose
mathematics and science in grade 10 as
these are the subjects that will see them
being accepted in engineering related fields
at FETs and HETs. The MQA Mining and Minerals
Sector Career Guidance books were distributed
to those learners who were planning
to take mathematics and science
as major subjects in grade 10.
Educators were encouraged to
also provide critical information to
learners to assist them with their
career choices.
MQA NEWS • SECOND QUARTER 2012
08
Wednesday, 30 May 2012, was a day to remember
for employees at New Denmark Colliery when team
members were presented with their Mining Qualifications
Authority (MQA) certificates of competence.
A milestone for the MQA was the presentation of a
certificate of competence to Paulus Mara, a shift boss
who also became the first person in South Africa
to receive the MQA certification for the successful
completion of the skills programme in the Maintenance
of a Conveyor System in the mining and minerals sector.
recognition of skills And comPetence At
angLo american’s new denmark coLLiery
09
MQA NEWS • SECOND QUARTER 2012
He was due to retire the next day having served New
Denmark for more than 28 years.
“We have gone beyond pure DMR compliance and are
moving to a more proactive training mindset. Previously,
training was limited to shift and face bosses as this
was a legal requirement. Now entire teams have been
assessed to examine and declare a working place safe
and to operate mining machinery, thus reinforcing the
notion of brother’s keeper and being a safety disciple on
the mine,” said Training Manager Mark Cummins.
As the competency-based assessment gains momentum
on the mine, management has agreed to roll out this
programme to all the miner sections for 2012 and to all
sections in 2013.
Industry safety training specialist Technology Risk
Solutions undertook the coaching, mentoring and
assessment aspects of the skills programme on behalf
of the colliery.
New Denmark’s decision to widen the band of employees
receiving competence training together with the
changes in its qualifications framework has far-reaching
implications in terms of employees’ personal growth
and mobility. It now has a situation where educational
inequality is no longer a binding factor should an
employee wish to advance.
New Denmark has declared 2012 the year of the
supervisor and part of this focus is the development of
skills of front line supervision, which will comprise formal
classroom supervisory training, job specific technical
training as well as on the job coaching and mentoring.
This intervention is well underway on the mine with
most shift bosses and foremen having undergone
psychometric assessments focusing on strengths
and weaknesses. Almost half of the target population
have been exposed to the Fundamentals of Leadership
Programme (FLP), a classroom-based supervisory
training course being presented centrally in Witbank.
The final stages of the programme include familiarisation
of legal appointments and applicable codes of practice
as well as on-the-job coaching and mentoring.
General Manager Mike Lawson, stressed the historic
nature of the occasion and reiterated that by meeting the
MQA’s requirements for the various skills progammes,
members of the team had also accumulated credits that
could be used in attaining MQA qualifications in the future.
(Above): General Manager Mr Mike Lawson congratulates Mr Paulus Mara.
(Above): New Denmark Colliery recipients of the MQA certificates of competence.
MQA NEWS • SECOND QUARTER 2012
10
leArner Profile: maTeTe precioUs makine
A learnership is one of the learning programmes the
MQA administers for the mining sector to contribute
towards people empowerment and transformation.
It consists of a structured learning component and a
practical work experience component. A learnership
can only be offered by an accredited training provider.
For a learnership to take effect there must be a host
employer, an accredited training provider and a learner.
The three parties must sign a learning agreement
which has to be registered by the MQA. The MQA
provides grants to companies that offer learnerships to
learners. Matete Precious Makine is a beneficiary of an
MQA learnership.
What company do you work for and what is
your profession?
I work for Samancor Eastern Chrome mine near Lyden-
burg in Limpopo. I am a learner miner on a MQA learnership.
What is a learner miner?
A learner miner is a person who is employed by the
mine before entering into a rock breaking learnership.
These people are enrolled into this learning programme
which ultimately gives them a rock breaking certificate –
also known as a blasting certificate – mining companies
prefer to call them learner miners. On successful
completion of the programme, these learners are
appointed as miners, stopers or developers.
What subjects are required for one to be
accepted as a learner miner?
Grade twelve maths and science.
How long have you been with Samancor Eastern
Chrome mine?
Since 2 June 2011.
How did you get to be on the mqA learnership?
Samancor mine had advertised the opportunity to
apply for the learnership in a local newspaper. I applied
and my application was successful. It has always been
my dream to become a miner.
What inspired you to apply for a mining learnership?
I have always liked mining, even when I was still in
school, and wanted to study Mining Engineering but
unfortunately my family could not afford to send me
to university. They only managed to take me to an FET
college where I completed my N2 and N3.
Describe a typical day underground
for a learner miner.
A miner position is a legal appointment in terms
of the Mine Health and Safety Act. This person is
responsible for the blasting operations of rocks using
the explosives in a mining environment to ensure
that big rocks, which are in the form of walls, are
broken into pieces. These pieces are then hoisted or
taken out of the mining environment to surface in
the metallurgical department where other processes
unfold. A miner leads an underground team which
is made up of about 13 team members comprising
(Above): Matete Precious Makine: on the MQA Learnership with Samancor Eastern Chrome Mine.
MQA NEWS • SECOND QUARTER 2012
11
2012 acc
machine operators (known as rock drill operators),
winch operators (responsible for sweeping the blasted
materials/ores/rocks), stope timbers (responsible for
installing the support), cheesas (known as blasting
assistance – responsible for charging up), as well as
a stope team leader/development team learner as an
immediate supervisor.
As a young woman, what do you perceive to
be a challenge working with male counterparts?
Due to the fact that there are not as many women
pursuing mining as a career, men believe that
women cannot cope with the job requirements. My
determination and dedication is what will ultimately
change how men view us as women.
How far would you want to pursue your
mining career?
I still want to study further. Most people refer to
a miner as a person who works in the mine. I think
it is very important that one must indicate that a
miner is an occupation on an official level. In terms of
career progression, the next level after a miner is a
The MQA hosted its 2012 Annual Consultative Conference
(ACC) on 26 October 2012 at the Premier Hotel in
Kempton Park. The theme of the event was “Partnering
for Superior Skills Transformation Success in Mining”.
The successful conference attended by close to 300
delegates was facilitated by Ms Latoya Mangezi fondly
known by soapy fans as “Ayanda”. The Chairperson,
Mr David Msiza, in his opening speech, emphasized the
value of stakeholder involvement in order to advance
skills development.
The MQA CEO Mr Sam Seepei presented the 2011-2012
Annual Report. Mr Hannes Hoon, Director for SETA
Performance Management at the DHET, in his key note
address applauded the MQA for performing excellently
in maintaining its clean audit report, and encouraged the
shift supervisor/shift boss, then a mine overseer (MO)
for which one must obtain a MO certificate, then a
section manager/production manager for which a mine
manager certificate of competency is required and,
finally, a mine manager or general manager (which is
coupled with academic qualifications, e.g BSc Mining).
Would you encourage other women to pursue
mining as a career?
Yes, as a young woman I would like to encourage
other women to face their fears about working in mines.
We need to show women power. Things have drastically
changed from when women were only expected to
work in a kitchen. There are so many opportunities for
women today that contribute to our empowerment.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Most young people in our communities are not
aware that they are residing on very rich soil as a
result of the minerals found underground. South Africa
is my country and very rich in minerals, I want to be
counted as one of the people who make it possible for
our economy to grow.
staff members to continue with the commendable work.
Ms Busi Mtintsilana from the QCTO presented on the
topic “The periscope of the QCTO and OFO processes”;
and Mr Edcent Williams from SAQA presented on the
topic “The role of SAQA in accelerating the delivery of
career guidance.”
(Above): Mr Sam Seepei MQA CEO presenting on the 2011-2012 Annual Report.