Full Name: Pontsho Francinah Twala

Position and Company Name: Director of the Wits Mining Institute (WMI) at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)

Main Activity of the Company: The WMI is a multidisciplinary research institute that undertakes research in the mining sector, with a strong focus on technology, innovation, and responsible mining. Our research is complemented by capacity-building and skills development offerings delivered through our Skills Accelerator. Through this platform, we develop and deliver industry-informed courses aimed at addressing knowledge gaps in the mining industry

Date and Place of Birth: February 1, 1989, in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria

Schools and Tertiary Education: Tane Primary School; Moditela Middle School; Hans Kekana High School; Wits, BSc (Mining Engineering), MSc (Mining Engineering), PhD (Mining Engineering)

First Job: My studies at Wits were funded by Mintek, which employed me as a graduate engineer upon graduation

Size of First Pay Packet: Take-home pay of just under R20 000 a month

Career Path to Date: I joined Mintek in 2010 as a graduate engineer, working in the Small Scale Mining and Beneficiation Division. I progressed to engineer and later senior engineer before moving to the Centre for Sustainability in Mining and Industry (CSMI) at Wits in 2016 as a lecturer/programme manager focusing on artisanal and small-scale mining. I joined the School of Mining Engineering at Wits as a lecturer in 2018 and was promoted to senior lecturer in 2024. At the end of 2025, I was appointed director of the WMI

Number of People under Your Leadership: I lead a team of four core staff members. We also host postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows, for whom I have overall responsibility. Currently, we support 22 MSc and PhD students

Management Style: My management style is collaborative and inclusive, with a strong focus on teamwork, trust, and creating space for colleagues to take the lead

Personal Best Achievement: Obtaining my PhD, and learning that I am the second black female South African to obtain a PhD in mining engineering – an achievement I was not working towards

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: I am surrounded by a strong community of people, including my family and those I work with or have interacted with over the years. They continue to shape my perspective and influence the decisions I make both in my personal life and my career

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Professor Nellie Mutemeri and Professor Hudson Mtegha. We all worked at Mintek, but our relationship grew at Wits. I am grateful for the opportunities they continue to create for me and for their ongoing support

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: I would like to have coffee with Kumba Iron Ore CEO Nompumelelo Zikalala

Philosophy of Life: Everything that we know today, we have learnt; so, we must not be hard on ourselves – we must give ourselves a chance to learn 

Biggest Ever Opportunity: My appointment as director of the WMI

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I started a bakery business in 2024, which was very lucrative and was a proud achievement because it created employment in the community. Unfortunately, I had to close it down owing to poor management and other issues. It is something that still does not sit well with me when I think about it

Hope for the Future: That there will be no poverty in South Africa

Favourite TV Programme: Reality shows like Survivor, Amazing Race and Top Chef

Favourite Food/Drink: I am a pap girl – anything with pap

Favourite Music: I listen to all types of music

Favourite Sport: I used to enjoy watching soccer, but not anymore. I only watch big tournaments, such as the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup

Hobbies: Having little ones, I look forward to some time alone, lazing around

Car: I like SUVs – must be an automatic car

Pets: I am terrified of dogs

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Disrespect (lack of Ubuntu), unnecessary conflict, and inconsiderate behaviour

Married: To Thabiso Twala

Children: Two girls, Aphiwe (two-year-old) and Amahle (one-year-old)