South African entrepreneur Mbali Tshabangu is proving that women are just as capable of excelling in highly demanding mining leadership roles as their male counterparts, if her exploits as chief executive officer of Nelifusion can be anything to go by.
“Nelifusion was registered in August 2012 as a business consulting firm. We are based in Bryanston, in the Sandton area of South Africa. We operate a limestone mine and trade commodities, particularly chrome concentrate,” Mbali proudly reveals.
“Toward the end of 2018, we were introduced to the mining industry through the implementation of the country’s Social and Labour Plans. I spotted opportunities and saw how big mining companies lacked in terms of taking care of the communities they were mining. I was intrigued and wanted the opportunity to do a better job,” she adds.
Soaring Higher
Mbali is leading Nelifusion on a growth trajectory as she outlines her plans to increase employment figures.
“We currently have six employees for our trading desk. We will employ twelve employees for the chrome wash plant and mine at the end of April 2025 and we have 16 employees for the limestone operation,” she says.
The zeal and eagerness she has to expand her company are the same as she has when it comes to empowering the community she is operating in.
“We are growing but as a company we are not there yet. For us, we will stand tall when the community of Kraalhoek, in the North West Province of South Africa, has been transformed. When each household is receiving a decent salary from the limestone mine.
“When each parent does not have to wonder where money for food/school fees or medicine will come from. When dignity is restored. Africa is rich. There is no need for us to be suffering,” she adds.
Disliking House Chores
Growing up, Mbali remembers how her dislike of house chores developed into a fear and how she eventually came up with a plan that not only proved an effective ‘escape route’ but also sparked her interest in entrepreneurship.
“I loved spending time at my grandmothers’ home in Mzimhlophe (Soweto). There were a lot of cousins to hang out with. I am an only child, so that environment was the best for me. My formal education did not shape my journey toward entrepreneurship; my fear of house chores did.
“This was mid-high school. I did not like washing dishes, cooking or doing laundry but I knew that if not done, I would get into trouble. So, I would “hire” my cousins (cash on completion) to do my chores.
“However, my allowance would deplete so I started hand sewing clothes and selling as well as doing people’s hair in order to have enough money for myself and chores,” says Mbali, recalling how she later got attracted to the business world.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
As a woman, punching above her weight in a male-dominated space has not been easy. However, she has won the respect of her colleagues and other entrepreneurs through her impressive leadership skills.
“I have learnt that it is not as easy and as glamorous as I thought it was before entering the space. I have learnt that the industry was closed to people like us. I have also learnt to respect the earth which feeds us. My biggest blessing is to be an African in Africa.
“Fortunately Africans are waking up to appreciate the fact that we are of the garden of Eden. We have it all. It is not easy, but it is here. We need only receive it and honour it.
“We have also seen many new native entrants into the industry and we are making strides. By entering the limestone market, we sought to market proof our business as limestone is a cheaper but more stable commodity than chrome.
“Our approach is simple. We control the entire value chain, sign long term contract, supply only a handful of anchor clients, expand every two years and repeat. The biggest challenge we faced was capital raising.
“It is difficult to raise funds for native businesses in South Africa. We had to learn to collaborate. This has been our saving grace. We have learnt to be generous and that even in business, it takes a village to raise a child.”
Game Changer
Mbali is very optimistic about the future and sees the upcoming expansion initiatives of Nelifusion as a significant step towards achieving her goals and objectives as an entrepreneur.
“We look forward to the opening of our chrome wash plant and mine in Boshoek at the end of April 2025. This will be a game-changer for us as our dream to control the entire value chain will be realized. We have worked really hard to be her with a fully paid plant and a mine to our name,” she says.
Reflecting on her journey as an entrepreneur so far, Mbali describes how her respect towards the community her business operates in has brought with it many breakthroughs.
“Respect all you interact with-especially the community that enables one to work. Collaboration is also key. Be confident in His promise and reign. He will bring good, capable people your way,” Mbali concludes.
