ENTREPRENEUR Daphne Mashile-Nkosi, who is building a R7-billion mining project in Northern Cape, is as tough as old boots
Despite the many challenges the founder and chairwoman of Kalahari Resources had to face recently, Mashile-Nkosi managed to come up with R4-billion from her own pocket to build a big mine and sinter plant in a green field right in the middle of the Kalahari Desert.
This project makes Mashile-Nkosi the first black woman to own a manganese mine and a sinter plant.
Though the area is notorious for its random sandstorms, this has failed to discourage Mashile-Nkosi from realising her goal.
The mine, which is expected to hire at least 1 300 people, is 200 metres deep and has manganese deposits that are expected to last for the next 100 years.
Her mining company is called Kalagadi Manganese, a subsidiary jointly owned by Kalahari Resources (40%), Industrial Development Corporation (10%) and ArcelorMittal (50%).
But despite her great success Mashile-Nkosi is struggling to come to terms with the pain of losing her husband, ANC stalwart Stanely Nkosi, four years ago. She says the pain was her greatest motivation to invest more than R4-billion in a mining operation.
Though her huge mining operations could easily land her the moniker of queen of the Kalahari Desert, her story is that of an extremely successful woman who constantly experienced heartache.
She feels she was robbed of an opportunity to share her joy and tribulations with her husband.
To make matters worse, there were very few people who believed that she would successfully build the mining projects.
"Many friends and family members advised me to sell the mining operation.
"They said the construction of a mine was not for women but the preserve of white males. I refused to sell.
"Had I taken the money I would have robbed black people of creating a big scale mine from scratch," says Mashile Nkosi who employs 90 % blacks.
Two years ago Mashile-Nkosi had to fight attempts by late ANC donor Sandi Majali to hijack her company.
She describes how the projects have taken their toll on her.
"It is has been a long road,' she says. "If I could remove my hat you would see grey hair. If I remove my jacket, you would see many scars."
But one thing is for sure, she firmly believes her husband is smiling down on her for single-handedly being the first black woman to own a manganese mine and a sinter plant.
Mashile-Nkosi's long journey
ENTREPRENEUR Daphne Mashile-Nkosi, who is building a R7-billion mining project in Northern Cape, is as tough as old boots
Despite the many challenges the founder and chairwoman of Kalahari Resources had to face recently, Mashile-Nkosi managed to come up with R4-billion from her own pocket to build a big mine and sinter plant in a green field right in the middle of the Kalahari Desert.
This project makes Mashile-Nkosi the first black woman to own a manganese mine and a sinter plant.
Though the area is notorious for its random sandstorms, this has failed to discourage Mashile-Nkosi from realising her goal.
The mine, which is expected to hire at least 1 300 people, is 200 metres deep and has manganese deposits that are expected to last for the next 100 years.
Her mining company is called Kalagadi Manganese, a subsidiary jointly owned by Kalahari Resources (40%), Industrial Development Corporation (10%) and ArcelorMittal (50%).
But despite her great success Mashile-Nkosi is struggling to come to terms with the pain of losing her husband, ANC stalwart Stanely Nkosi, four years ago. She says the pain was her greatest motivation to invest more than R4-billion in a mining operation.
Though her huge mining operations could easily land her the moniker of queen of the Kalahari Desert, her story is that of an extremely successful woman who constantly experienced heartache.
She feels she was robbed of an opportunity to share her joy and tribulations with her husband.
To make matters worse, there were very few people who believed that she would successfully build the mining projects.
"Many friends and family members advised me to sell the mining operation.
"They said the construction of a mine was not for women but the preserve of white males. I refused to sell.
"Had I taken the money I would have robbed black people of creating a big scale mine from scratch," says Mashile Nkosi who employs 90 % blacks.
Two years ago Mashile-Nkosi had to fight attempts by late ANC donor Sandi Majali to hijack her company.
She describes how the projects have taken their toll on her.
"It is has been a long road,' she says. "If I could remove my hat you would see grey hair. If I remove my jacket, you would see many scars."
But one thing is for sure, she firmly believes her husband is smiling down on her for single-handedly being the first black woman to own a manganese mine and a sinter plant.
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