Mpumi Zikalala
JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM) has appointed Nompumelelo ‘Mpumi’ Zikalala to its board. She brings with her a wealth of experience in mining, diamond trading and the advancement of the economic and social transformation of the South African company.
Zikalala joined De Beers in 1996 as a bursar and has gone on to fill a number of senior roles in the organisation, in both mining and diamond trading. In 2007, she was appointed the Kimberley mine GM, becoming the first female GM of a major diamond mine. She also held the same position at the company’s Voorspoed mine from 2010.
In May 2013, Zikalala was appointed VP of De Beers Sightholder Sales South Africa, the company’s rough-diamond trading division.
DBCM chairperson Barend Petersen said: “I am delighted to welcome Mpumi to the board. Her appointment is proof that De Beers identifies and nurtures home-grown talent, creating opportunities for talented leaders at the most senior levels of the business.
“Mpumi’s extensive diamond experience, together with the insight she’s gained in her nonexecutive capacity at Mintek, will create value for both De Beers and its partners. I look forward to working with her as we advance the business in South Africa.”