In 30 seconds

Employees from across Exxaro came together, in person and online, for the second Culture Live session of 2026. Hosted for the first time at Matla Mine, the discussion highlighted continuous learning, mentorship, leadership and personal ownership, reminding employees that growth is a shared responsibility between the organisation, leaders and every individual.

Our 2026 Pulse Survey highlighted employees’ desire for learning, mentorship, coaching, exposure and development opportunities. This insight set the tone for the discussion as Ilana Schwartz, Group Manager: Culture and Organisational Development, opened Culture Live under the theme Growing People, Not Just Performance.

One message stood out throughout the session: growth is something we build together. While Exxaro creates opportunities for learning and development, each of us also has a role to play in making the most of them.

Reflecting on his own journey from Professional in Training (PIT) to General Manager of Matla Mine, Mangaliso Sethethi shared how resilience, continuous learning and the support of others shaped his career. His message was simple: leaders can open doors, but it is up to each of us to keep learning, seek out new experiences and take ownership of our own growth.

Tshepisho Mahlangu, Group Manager: Talent and Learning, encouraged employees to look beyond formal qualifications, highlighting that some of our greatest learning comes through experience, project work, stretch assignments, mentoring, coaching and collaboration.

The conversations also challenged the idea that growth is only measured by promotion. Instead, employees were encouraged to recognise the value of new skills, confidence and relationships they build throughout their careers.