WBS CHATS TO MUZI SIYAYA

What was your experience of being a student at WBS?

I had an amazing experience. The quality of the academic faculty is world class. In my full-time class, I had students drawn from various countries in Africa, so the cultural diversity enhanced and deepened the learning process beyond the standard curriculum. The lengthy debates with classmates involving syndicate work over drinks at Mike’s Kitchen is a standout memory for me.

What stands out for you about the WBS MBA?

I found the content of the degree to be extremely informative and applicable to the real challenges of being a leader. I enjoyed the case study model of the course and the frameworks. From an impact perspective, the leadership emphasis of the course has allowed me to optimise my leadership skills and Influence. In a world that is constantly grappling with vast amounts of data, the concepts that I learnt in the Decision Science module have certainly made my life easier.

Tell me about your transition from ICT to engineering….

I joined the ICT industry at the height of the mobile phone revolution in Africa around 1999. This was also a period when MTN’s expansion beyond South Africa was gaining momentum. GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) was the new technology then and it was an exciting time for the ICT industry. Many young and ambitious professionals wanted to be part of the action, and I was one of them. My move to engineering was a result of my business leadership skills rather than the hard core engineering side. Engineers are naturally intelligent people and working with them every day has not only stretched my own talents, but I have grown to really appreciate their brilliant skills and their structured thought process. They take pride in their work!

In a nutshell, what does Semane do?

Semane is a multidisciplinary consulting engineering company that was born from the non-core asset disposal strategy by Anglo 22 years ago. At Semane, we design innovative and suitable engineering solutions for our mining clients across Africa. Some of our key clients include Anglo American, BHP Billiton, De Beers, Exxaro, Foskor, Goldfields, Rio Tinto, Seriti and many others.

Where do you want to take the company?

My vision is to leverage the existing goodwill in the company by creating an asset of value that will deliver sustainable value to its stakeholders. At the core of this vision, is to build a business with a global footprint that encompasses the entire value chain of infrastructure development. I believe South African companies must aim to become multi-nationals guided by the respective fundamentals of that specific business and industry. Of course, some businesses are not scalable but for those that are, why not? We have good skills and talent across many industries that we can export. We can’t restrict our ambitions to domestic and regional markets alone. I am a big dreamer.

What is your company’s approach to digital transformation?

Whilst the fundamental engineering principles still apply in our industry, increasingly we are leaning towards digital evolution including the use of 3D models and simulation technology to design infrastructure. Although the industry is generally lagging other sectors in the adoption of technology due to cost and risk concerns, we are beginning to see measured investments in digital transformation by the South African industry in areas such as design collaboration, on site execution and back office systems. At Semane, we have a dedicated team that I tasked with keeping abreast of trends in digital transformation and making appropriate recommendations to the executive committee. Personally, I have a keen interest on the impact of robotics and automated technology in the engineering and construction industry.

What do you see are the main challenges facing the mining sector in South Africa?

In the mining sector, the emphasis on sustainable mining and ensuring that employees and communities share in the benefits of mining is posing a challenge to many leaders. Balancing the different stakeholder interests in the sector requires adaptable leadership, leaders who can adapt to difference scenarios and are sensitive to the socio-economic issues affecting the country.

What is your approach to skills development?

The engineering and construction sector still has a challenge to increase women representation at board and executive level. At Semane, we have a deliberate and stated objective to develop and support women through a combination of our bursary, procurement and internship programmes. I am also actively encouraging my executive team to mentor competent and deserving women that are already employed by the company in order for them to assume senior positions.