BERNARD SWANEPOEL

Mining Optimist, Outspoken Industry Leader & Pragmatic Idealist.

INTERESTS

MINING
LEADERSHIP
STRATEGY
CONVERSATIONS
EVOLUTION

“Orebodies are geological, but mines are human, mining may start in the ground, yet everything that truly matters happens in the execution above it.”

~ Z.B.S.

“Leadership is the courage to be decisive when the outcome is uncertain. Leaders need to make sure that they equip the CEOs of tomorrow with all the necessary information, good and bad, and try to leave the industry a little better than when they found it.”

~ Z.B.S.

“If strategy doesn’t survive its first contact with reality, it wasn’t strategy. A good strategy reduces complexity, and a great strategy removes excuses. THese are all lessons that I have learned from my wife through her work at THINKspiration, if you don't have a protocol and a structure, you do not have a strategy. Simple.``

~ Z.B.S.

“The right conversation at the right time can change an industry.”

~ Z.B.S.

“Evolution isn’t random; it’s the quiet work of selection over time... whether in genetics, in Ankole cattle, or in industries that must either adapt or face an inevitable elimination.”

~ Z.B.S.

MINING: “Orebodies are geological, but mines are human, mining may start in the ground, yet everything that truly matters happens in the execution above it.”
~ Z.B.S.
LEADERSHIP: “Leadership is the courage to be decisive when the outcome is uncertain. Leaders need to make sure that they equip the CEOs of tomorrow with all the necessary information, good and bad, and try to leave the industry a little better than when they found it.”
~ Z.B.S.
STRATEGY: “If strategy doesn’t survive its first contact with reality, it wasn’t strategy. A good strategy reduces complexity, and a great strategy removes excuses. THese are all lessons that I have learned from my wife through her work at THINKspiration, if you don't have a protocol and a structure, you do not have a strategy. Simple.``
~ Z.B.S.
CONVERSATIONS: “The right conversation at the right time can change an industry.”
~ Z.B.S.
EVOLUTION: “Evolution isn’t random; it’s the quiet work of selection over time... whether in genetics, in Ankole cattle, or in industries that must either adapt or face an inevitable elimination.”
~ Z.B.S.

CURRENT CONVERSATIONS:

"Bernand must improve his hosting skills. interupts, makes tactless remarks, and clearly frustrates the guest. I doubt he watches himself post interview.”
"Good afternoon, Bernard Firstly, thank you for sharing your vulnerability on this platform. Bernard, my words come from real experience. Many might find it unpleasant or even distasteful. Many might actually not realise that you have now started to find Bernard after all the noise has calmed down...”
Jackie
"Oh my goodness what a fantastic piece! Thank you for inviting us into your reflections, for articulating your learnings so succinctly, and for challenging us to do some honest reflecting of our own.”
Lisa
"Great Critical agenda topic as always Bernard you and Mrs Swanepoel are critical to our mining world and the leading questions you ask and discuss, thank you and much appreciated.”

Sean