Our Comms Spotlight for this week is a high flyer in the South African Mining industry. While Akani Mangena started his career in Journalism, his real interest was in Communications. Akani Mangena has served in both Gold and Platinum mines, with his work focusing on establishing creative ways to keep employees engaged. In his interview with us, he shares some of the challenges that come with managing communications within the mining industry and how he deals with them.
How did you begin your career in Communications?
Unlike many others who end up studying Communications or Media studies because they couldn’t get admitted for their first-choice courses in varsity, Communications and Media have always been my first love even before I enrolled at the University of Limpopo.
Truth is, opportunities in Comms were hard to come by, Hence I ended up in the sister space of Media as a Junior Journalist, rising up the ranks from the cadet school until getting into the newsroom with specific writings in politics and labour. I have cut my Journalism teeth at the cadet school.
As a Journo, I worked with Communication Officers/spokespeople from different labour organisations, political parties, etc. As the wheel of life and death revolved, I started seeing myself on the other side of things, representing the mines instead of chasing mining news/scoops or deadlines. The happenings in the mining industry drew me closer.
While the arrival of Covid-19 on our shores forced us to reinvent ourselves, it also cemented my interest in the mining industry. I transitioned from journalism to public relations, before joining the mining industry as a Communications Officer for Harmony Gold Mining in Free State Province. I am now serving in the platinum Mines in the land of my birth, Limpopo Province, South Africa.
Can you tell us what you do as the Communications Officer at Two Rivers Platinum Mine?
Amongst many things, my day-to-day job involves fostering communication and transmitting information internally between employees and the employer. I make sure that there is direction that keeps leaders and employees on the same page. I believe that, When our over 4000 employees at Two Rivers Platinum (Permanent and Contractors) are given clear-cut instructions through our suitable communication channels, they will be more equipped to be productive, work safely, and feel valued.
TRP has two shafts, namely North Shaft and Main Decline, and a Concentrator Plant. Alongside my boss, I provide content for our digital screens underground and on the surface across the 3 units. I send out SMSs to employees, write for our internal newsletter, do branding, send out emails to the entire mine, and cover events, be it internally or outside like community initiatives by our CSI team.
Employee engagement is important in the mining industry, So I assist in improving that by reminding employees of the company’s values, by strategically placing them at different key points in the company.
Every reminder from posters on noticeboards and change houses to emails and digital screens makes a difference. I also manage our existing systems – like our intranet or providing content for our internet. Our mine is also active on social media platforms, I part of the team behind the content that you see.
What valuable lessons have you learned on your career journey that you wish you had known earlier?
I always say you can never serve them if you don’t love them. I will tell my younger self that, do everything with passion and strive to be a servant of the people. The Comms space is not always moon and sunshine as it appears. The space exposes you to a lot of people, with different characters and as such, you should develop a thick skin.
I will put it to younger Akani that, the world of communication and media is revolving, we are taking the digital way and one must adapt to stay relevant or perish. The old ways of doing things are fading in the industry, let’s allow the new ways to usher in our day-to-day work and embrace the changes.
Can you share some highlights from your career journey with us?
I strongly believe that we have made some strides and tangible changes in the lives of many using the communication skills we possess. In 2023-2024, I was part of the team that ran the communication machinery for the Eastern Limb Joint Career Expo hosted by 14 mines in Limpopo Province.
The media coverage we managed to attain and press acquisition reminded me that, I can still deliver on projects of such magnitude especially when all eyes are on you from other colleagues and those who see you as their counterparts. I strive under pressure.
I always aim to make my company proud, to make Two Rivers Platinum or African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) visible, and to deliver campaigns that contribute to our culture transformation. If you check our company’s LinkedIn, you will see that much has changed in the past years, our work as a the communication team for TRP is coming to light and we continue to improve.
What is the most challenging aspect of managing Communications within the mining industry, and how do you approach it?
Communication in the mining industry is relatively new to most people. For example, our Mine didn’t have a Communications team since its inception, until about 3 years ago. I am the first Communication Officer for the mine. At times, people misinterpret our roles, so we find ourselves stuck spending time having to explain or even enforce communication, from top to bottom.
Deterring as it may be, We can’t blame anyone because we believe that it’s a process and I am confident that, as time goes on we will be on the same path. Communication is not about taking pictures or covering events, there is plenty of work behind the desktop that Comms people do.
Unfortunately, communications people like myself are tasked with making others shine, we don’t even take the credit because it will be like we are praising the fish for swimming. I am just glad, I work for a company that appreciates our roles.
What advice would you give your younger professional self?
It’s important to make relations and necessary connections in the Industry. Media space and comms require relevant contacts, so the people we keep around will play a crucial role in shaping our careers. It is also important to study further and prepare for the future tomorrow and this is why I am pursuing a new degree in 2025.
One thing I am proud of my younger self is how I have exposed myself to many aspects of the industry, evolving from Journalism, PR, and now Communications, I am almost complete.
