{"id":6894,"date":"2025-12-16T03:34:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T03:34:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xxplore.co.za\/?p=6894"},"modified":"2026-05-19T04:03:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T04:03:54","slug":"people-and-leadership-a-year-of-thriving-together","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xxplore.co.za\/index.php\/2025\/12\/16\/people-and-leadership-a-year-of-thriving-together\/","title":{"rendered":"People and leadership a year of thriving together"},"content":{"rendered":"

People and leadership<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

A year of thriving together<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

In 2025, we celebrated growth, leadership, and excellence across every level of the business.<\/p>\n

From welcoming new leadership to recognising long-standing service, from professional milestones to rising stars, 2025 showed us that Exxaro thrives when our people do.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Welcoming our CEO: Ben Magara<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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We started the year with a powerful moment of unity as employees across all Business Units gathered, in person and virtually, to welcome Ben Magara as Exxaro\u2019s new CEO.<\/p>\n

The conneXXion came alive with music, celebration and heartfelt excitement as Ben shared his commitment to safety, integrity and purpose-driven leadership.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

\ue06a<\/span><\/span><\/div>

\u201cWe have a clear purpose in this company \u2013 to power better lives in Africa and beyond \u2013 and we\u2019ll pursue that purpose with unwavering commitment.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Watch the CEO inauguration highlights video<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Watch Matla CEO Roadshow<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Watch Belfast CEO Roadshow<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Key new appointments in 2025<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Following our announcement on leadership and structural changes in June, we shared some key appointments that will further strengthen our ability to deliver on our SG&I strategy:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Caroline Shirindza<\/strong>
Executive Head: Coal<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Read more<\/h5>

Caroline has a distinguished 20-year career in the coal mining industry and currently serves as vice president (VP) for operations at Secunda Collieries, responsible for five collieries producing over 32 million tonnes of coal annually and managing a workforce of approximately 8 000 employees.<\/p>\n

Caroline holds a Mining Engineering degree, an MBA, and a Government Certificate of Competency for fiery mines, and is recognised as a leader in operational excellence, transformation, and talent development.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Neo Monareng<\/strong>
\nExecutive Head: Sustainability (Designate)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Read more<\/h5>

Neo Monareng brings more than 20 years of mining and energy experience, most recently as General Manager of Greenside and Khwezela Collieries at Thungela Resources where she oversaw both underground and opencast operations, with an excellent safety record.<\/p>\n

Neo holds an MBA from the Gordon Institute of Business Science, a B-Tech in Mining Engineering from the University of Johannesburg, and a National Diploma in Mining Engineering. She is a member of the South African Colliery Managers Association.<\/p>\n

Mongezi Veti, The current Executive Head for Sustainability, will be retiring in July 2026 after 23 years of service. We extend our gratitude for his invaluable contribution. Neo Monareng has been appointed as the designate Executive Head: Sustainability to allow for a seamless transition in preparation for Mongezi\u2019s retirement.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Mervin Govender<\/strong>
\nExecutive Head: Technical Services<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Read more<\/h5>

Mervin is a seasoned executive with over three decades of experience spanning mining, engineering, mineral separation, and smelting industries. He has delivered multi-billion-rand projects at Exxaro, including the commissioning of the Belfast Mine, Grootegeluk expansions, and the Leeuwpan life-of-mine extension \u2013 consistently ahead of schedule and under budget, while achieving significant cost savings. Mervin holds an MBA from the University of Stellenbosch, a Master\u2019s in Mining from the University of Pretoria, and he is also a registered professional engineer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Fortune Ntlhoro<\/strong>
\nExecutive Head: Commercial<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Read more<\/h5>

Fortune is a seasoned commercial and supply chain leader with extensive experience spanning the mining, energy, transport, and financial sectors. He brings over three decades of strategic leadership and transformation expertise to Exxaro. Fortune holds a Master\u2019s in Business Leadership (MBL) from UNISA and a BCom Honours in Marketing, Human Resources, Business Strategy, and Procurement. He has also completed executive programmes at the Wirtschaft Akademie in Germany, and at London Business School.<\/p>\n

Fortune is widely recognised for building high-performing teams, fostering collaborative partnerships, and delivering measurable value across complex commercial environments.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Exxaro recognised as a Top Employer (Again!)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>

For the fourth year, Exxaro earned certification as a Top Employer in South Africa \u2013\u00a0 a recognition of our people-first practices, our culture of learning, and our continued progress across DEI, leadership development, talent strategy, well-being, and rewards. We are excited to continue building a workplace where every employee can bring their best self to work and be empowered to create impact.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>