A leader in physical and digital card-based incentive solutions, adumo Payouts empowers South African organisations to recognise and reward positive workplace behaviour. With deep roots in sectors such as mining, adumo Payouts plays a key role in driving workforce motivation, safety, and productivity through secure, prepaid reward payout solutions.
This commitment was front and centre at the Women in Mining SA (WiMSA) Symposium on 23 and 24 July at Randpark Golf Club in Johannesburg. The event provided a powerful platform for women in mining and beyond to share stories, exchange insights, and reaffirm the importance of inclusive leadership.
Attending the symposium was not only an act of support but a strategic opportunity for adumo Payouts to deepen its partnerships in the mining sector. Represented by CEO Steve Mallaby, Head of Operations Palesa Morebodi, and Service Delivery Manager Molly Maphalala, adumo Payouts also invited two of its valued mining clients to the event.
Critical Link Between Safety, Productivity, and Incentives
Kumba Iron Ore CEO Nompumelelo ‘Mpumi’ Zikalala, the keynote speaker at the symposium, reaffirmed the critical link between safety, productivity, and effective incentive structures in the mining industry. Exxaro, meanwhile, praised the inclusivity and future-forward vision of the event, highlighting adumo Payouts’ forward-thinking leadership in aligning business innovation with transformation imperatives.
“It was phenomenal being at the event,” says Mallaby. “It was a great investment and a real learning opportunity to just look and listen.” This year’s theme, ‘Step Up and Stand Out’, was more than a slogan. It became a rallying call for women to embrace their authentic selves, challenge the norms of corporate conformity, and step into leadership with courage.
“The theme really brought everything back to yourself as an individual,” explains Morebodi. “Especially from a work perspective, being bold, putting yourself out there, and understanding that there will be stereotypes.”
‘Unspoken Truths’ Impact Women Across Industry
Maphalala reflects that the WiMSA Symposium unpacked the unspoken truths that impact women across all industries. “From inspiring leaders in boardrooms to those occupying roles traditionally dominated by men, to the fierce, future-focused generation I had the honour of sharing the room with, I can confidently say we are in good hands.”
Throughout the sessions, several recurring themes emerged: authenticity, the emotional labour of leadership, financial empowerment, and the persistent “Boys’ Club” mentality still prevalent in many boardrooms. Morebodi found particular resonance in the panel discussion on leading with empathy, a topic that dovetails with her own experience navigating corporate leadership.
“From my corporate perspective, this is something I have been grappling with,” she says. “Finding the balance between empathy and impact is critical. We need to lead compassionately but also drive business outcomes.”
WiMSA Symposium was a Safe, Inclusive Space
Although WiMSA is rooted in the mining industry, its impact extends far wider. The symposium created a safe, inclusive space for women across industries to connect, reflect and share strategies for navigating systemic challenges. “You do not have to try and be like the guys to break barriers,” says Morebodi. “Just show up authentically and lead in your own space as yourself.”
Mallaby was particularly struck by how strongly the themes of transformation, culture, and incentives aligned with adumo Payouts’ core purpose. “We are a company that is committed to transformation, not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it builds better, more resilient organisations. We see first-hand how meaningful reward systems can drive safety, engagement, and long-term impact, especially in mining.”
As South Africa prepares to mark Women’s Day on 9 August, the lessons from WiMSA take on renewed relevance. While the country has made significant progress on transformation, gender equity still lags in key areas such as pay parity, executive representation, and corporate culture. “When we talk transformation in South Africa, we often forget that gender is still one of the core layers,” asserts Morebodi. “We have not hit it as hard as we need to.”
Women’s Day Maintains Momentum for Transformation
She believes events like Women’s Day and Women’s Month are essential to maintain momentum and ensure gender remains at the forefront of transformation strategies. “There is awareness because women have previously been marginalised, but I do not think the momentum should stop. We are still climbing the peak.”
For Mallaby, Maphalala, and Morebodi, the WiMSA 2025 Symposium was more than a learning experience. It was a strategic touchpoint that will inform how they approach leadership development, culture, and transformation within adumo Payouts. “I am confident that what we have gained here will help us grow and secure the right partnerships going forward,” says Malaby.
As the company reflects on the lessons from WiMSA and prepares for Women’s Day, one thing is clear in that creating space for women to lead authentically is not only good ethics but is good business.
adumo Payouts Enables Broader Access to Financial Tools
Maphalala highlights: “What stood out most is that no matter the sector, many of the challenges we face as women are shared. That is why I truly believe spaces like these need to reach even more women in every field. Now the real work begins. It is up to me how I use the tools I have added to my skillset. I am inspired, challenged, and equipped. Thank you to adumo Payouts for the opportunity to be part of what was much more than an event but a call to action.”
“As industries evolve, so too must the ways we engage, reward, and retain our people,” concludes Mallaby. The card-based incentive solutions from adumo Payouts offer a seamless, secure way to recognise performance, drive productivity, and support safety outcomes, especially in high-impact sectors like mining.
“But beyond efficiency and convenience, our solutions help level the playing field by enabling broader access to financial tools and fostering a culture of inclusion. Whether you are striving to meet your DEI goals or accelerate digital transformation, adumo Payouts is your partner in building more motivated, connected, and future-ready workforces.”