Page 20 - CEN 13 Apr.indd

APRIL 2013
18
R edpath South Africa has built a reputation as having an
exceptionally strong management team, highly skilled
in providing Contract Mining Services to the underground
mining industry. Based in Johannesburg, it provides a full-
range of mining services to Sub Saharan Africa.
CEN talks to MD, Ockert Douglas, Managing Director,
Redpath Mining (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, who opens the
interview by telling us a little about what influenced his
career choice.
OD: “I grew up in a mining environment with my dad
working at Goldfields as a Mine Overseer. The example
he set made it easy for me to develop an interest in mining
and get into the same line of business.”
CEN: “So, with a history of mining in your blood, so to
speak, the career path you chose was inevitable?”
OD: “Yes, I followed in my father’s footsteps and to
my mind, it was exactly the right career path for me.
I studied through Goldfields, doing a Learner Official
programme, then I went to Wits Technikon where I got a
Diploma in Mining Engineering. Soon after that I joined the
Contractors, at Cementation Mining (GFC) and have been
in the industry ever since – a good 20 years to date.
“I joined Redpath in November 2012, and it focuses on
infrastructure development, with the main focus on shaft
sinking, access development and decline development.
We will undertake limited contract mining and limited civil
work, but it’s not a priority. I really enjoy my job, every day
is a different challenge; the energy that is in this business
is tremendous.”
CEN: “As Managing Director, how would you define your
management style?”
OD: “The first word that comes to mind is ‘participative’,
but I’m not sure if that encompasses it entirely. I like to get
input frommy people, but I like to make the final decision.
That is what leadership is about; you cannot be afraid to
make an unpopular decision sometimes. That is why the
word participative is rather vague. I don’t rely on others
to make the decision for me; I expect buy-in and delivery
from my people, with the decision-making coming from
me. I believe that this method makes a strong, successful
and profitable team.”
CEN: “How do you see yourself impacting on your
company going forward; what do you bring to the party?“
OD: “Leadership and achieving goals. Head Office
in Canada sets specific goals and I am bringing goal
achievement to the business, in terms of profitability,
safety, ensuring we deliver a professional product to our
clients and ensuring that everyone enjoys what they do.“
CEN: “A couple of times you have emphasised that you
want people to enjoy what they do. What do you look for
most in an employee?“
Mining is in his blood...
Redpath South Africa is one of only four shaft-sinking African-based mining contractors. In 2007, the
company became an essential part of the Redpath Group of companies, through a realignment of divisions
within the parent company. Today, 74% of the company is owned by Redpath Holdings while 26% is
owned by a South African black empowerment company, Siyakhula Sonke Empowerment Corp.
OD: “In a word, commitment. Once targets have been
assigned, then I need commitment from the team that we
will achieve our goals.“
CEN: “Wouldyou say that initiativegoeswithcommitment?”
OD: “Definitely. I believe that each individual has a
different management style and to prescribe this to them is
detrimental. Each of the leaders in this company has his/
her own way of doing things and I don’t need to micro-
manage or tell them what and when to do anything. They
all have different way of approaching it, but they all have
the same goal. They are all passionate about their work –
they are all committed.”
CEN: “Would you agree that that empowers them and
makes them feel part of the success?”
OD: “Absolutely. Coaching and overseeing is not then
viewed as interference, but rather as assisting them in
making the right choices for the company.”
CEN: “With 20-plus years in the industry, going back into
the mists of time, what was the first job you ever held and
for what salary?“
OD: “That was back in about 1986, as a Learner Official
for Goldfields, working on Kloof Gold Mine, for a princely
sum of R466 per month!“
CEN: “Well you’ve come a way since then! What societies
and/or organisations do you belong to presently?“
OD: The Association of Mine Mangers of South Africa
and the South African Association of Mining Contracting
Companies, the latter which the business is also affiliated
to. Moreover, I am a member of the South African Institute
of Mining and Metallurgy.“
CEN: “With such a busy schedule Ockert, what do you
do to relax and unwind and as a father and family man,
what are your interests outside of work?“
OD: “I find different countries and lifestyles interesting,
so travel is uppermost, when I can fit the time in to take
the entire family along. With our amazing weather in this
country, we also enjoy going to the bush, away from the
bustle of the city, so camping is a past time we pursue.
I also enjoy fishing. In our business, it’s vital that work
is balanced with family life and over the past number of
years I have ensured that this is so. At least once a year, if
I can, I take the entire family overseas on a holiday, where
we spend quality time together while enjoying the fun of
travel, either on a boat trip, or for a white Christmas, etc.“
CEN: “What legacy would you like to leave for your
children?”
OD: “I would like them to follow the example I hope I have
already started, that is, giving them a sound Christian
upbringing. If they follow that, then I feel that I have done
the job I was put here to do.”
captain of industry