And, “Should I?” Recently, I had the privilege of delivering the keynote address at the WITS School of Mining Engineering 130th anniversary celebration. 130 years, just think about that. For more than a century, this institution has produced engineers who helped build mines, companies, communities and, in no small measure, the South African economy. The […]
The Responsibility Of The Buyer Deserves More Attention I have a problem with the ease with which we demand responsible mining while expecting somebody else to absorb the cost. It feels like I have principals, but someone else must pay for it! We want to know that the people producing our minerals are safe, that […]
When Having So-Called Influence Does Nothing For Humanity My youngest child is about to turn 21. I look at Zack and often wonder where this particular human being came from. I can see plenty of his mother in him, fortunately, but there is a positivity, hopefulness and self-confidence with which he seems to move through […]
I will answer my own question before somebody accuses me of setting up another generational argument. Yes, I think we have. I also think my generation should be very careful about blaming young people for it, because we designed much of the system that taught them what successful work was supposed to look like. For […]
How The Lessons I’ve Learned Along The Way Influenced Me To Become A(Hopefully) Better Leader…And Why It’s So Important To Me To Pass It On Whilst I Still Can Over the years, I have been exposed to more theories, principles and definitions of leadership than I could possibly remember. Some came through formal learning, some […]
Is Talk Really Cheap, Or Is It That Accountability Costs A Lot? John Maxwell once said that leaders become great “not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.” It is one of those quotes that sounds obvious until you consider what it actually demands of the person with the power. […]
By Bernard Swanepoel | 14 July 2026 My Zero Bullsh*t Moment Of Clarity And Awareness Hi everyone, Let me begin by saying that a change in gears is not a change in direction. One changes gears to maintain momentum, protect the engine and stay safely on the journey. It does not mean the destination has […]
What Survival Really Reveals About Us One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves in society is that character is fixed. We love putting people into neat little moral boxes. Honest or dishonest. Good or bad. Brave or cowardly. We sit in our comfortable lives, look in the mirror, and confidently assume we know exactly […]
My Thoughts Post- Junior Indaba 2026 If you had asked me if the Junior Indaba would leave me questioning my own outlook on the South African Junior Sector a week ago, I’d have simply said “I’m a positive guy with a realistic streak to match my optimism”. Apparently, I am no match for guys like […]
What the Automotive Industry Can Teach Mining About Where Value Really Lives Men of a certain age have an almost irrational attachment to automotive brands. Some support car brands the way others support rugby teams. Try telling a lifelong Mercedes driver that the future of his beloved brand may depend on Chinese software and you […]
