An Unintended Journey Turned Calling

Tozama never envisioned a career in mining. Yet, when the opportunity presented itself, she discovered a deeper purpose-mining wasn’t just about extracting minerals from the ground; it was about building bridges between industry and community, about transforming lives and landscapes through ethical operations. It was this realization that cemented her commitment to corporate affairs, a role that would enable her to align business objectives with community aspirations and environmental responsibilities.

Her early experience managing the Stakeholder Engagement and Social and Labour Plan portfolio at Lonmin Plc, during a period of significant social unrest, shaped her leadership philosophy. It taught her that mining done responsibly had the potential to catalyze economic upliftment and sustainable development. And above all, it underscored the importance of listening-a principle she has carried throughout her career.

Today, at West Wits Mining, she continues to live out that vision by ensuring the organization operates not only with efficiency but with empathy, transparency, and responsibility.

Defining Corporate Affairs in a New Era

Corporate Affairs is often viewed as the interface between business and society, a function critical in managing a company’s public image, stakeholder relationships, and regulatory obligations. Under Tozama’s stewardship, it is much more-a strategic powerhouse that shapes the future trajectory of the business.

At West Wits Mining, Tozama implements corporate affairs strategies that align closely with the company’s long-term goals. She ensures robust communication channels between the company and its stakeholders-governments, communities, investors, and employees – while navigating complex negotiations and crisis management scenarios with exceptional clarity and poise.

Whether it is securing licenses, leading stakeholder engagements, managing regulatory compliance, or fostering community partnerships, Tozama’s leadership ensures that West Wits operates with integrity, coherence, and credibility.

Her legal expertise has been instrumental in securing critical operational licenses, including the Mining Right and Water Use Licenses, thereby enabling the company to avoid delays and maintain consistent regulatory alignment. She also acts as a key advisor to the Board and executive leadership, offering insights into legal risks and opportunities related to BBBEE compliance, Mining Charter policies, and ESG integration.

The Ethical Compass Behind the Executive

Tozama’s leadership is anchored in a profound ethical framework-one that prioritizes empathy, respect, transparency, and a commitment to social and environmental justice. She builds and nurtures relationships based on mutual trust and open dialogue. For her, success in leadership isn’t about dominating the room-it’s about making space for every voice at the table.

“I don’t want to be like a man. I am a woman in mining” she says, a statement that defines not only her identity but also her leadership style. Her journey in a male-dominated sector hasn’t been without challenges, yet she has refused to conform. Instead, she redefines leadership through empathy, resilience, and inclusion-traits often overlooked in traditional corporate narratives.

Beyond the boardroom, she is deeply connected to her spiritual roots. Her belief in ancestral wisdom, especially the nurturing strength of the mother spirit, keeps her grounded and focused. She also finds solace and healing in her love for animals-a connection that enhances her sense of empathy and balance in both personal and professional spheres.

ESG: A Vision for the Future of Mining

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles have become central to modern mining operations, and Tozama has been at the forefront of integrating these values into the core of business strategy.

At West Wits, ESG is not treated as an afterthought or compliance checkbox. From project planning to execution, every phase reflects a commitment to sustainability, equity, and responsible governance. The Qala Shallows project is a testament to this-designed with environmental stewardship and community impact in mind from inception.

Tozama believes that ESG is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’-it’s a competitive imperative. “We are entering a new era where social impact and governance hold equal weight to financial performance” she asserts. The mining sector, in her vision, is transforming from a purely extractive industry to one that prioritizes innovation, accountability, and the well-being of communities.

She emphasizes the need for green energy adoption, water reuse, ethical sourcing, and real-time environmental monitoring-all powered by emerging technologies like blockchain and data analytics. For her, ESG is both a moral obligation and a business enabler-one that ensures long-term resilience and stakeholder trust.

Building Trust in Complex Contexts: The Zama-Zama Approach

Few executives would choose to engage directly with artisanal miners, often labelled as threats to formal operations. But Tozama sees things differently. Her work with Zama-Zama communities-informal miners operating on or near West Wits’ sites-is a masterclass in stakeholder engagement.

She sees them not as adversaries, but as people striving to survive in difficult economic conditions. Her approach begins with listening-not just when tensions rise, but consistently. She facilitates ongoing dialogue with community representatives and local leaders, transforming potential conflict into opportunities for collaboration and coexistence.

This human-centered approach not only mitigates operational risk but strengthens the company’s social license to operate-proving that empathy and engagement can be powerful tools in the corporate toolkit.

Women in Mining: Paving the Way Forward

In every keynote, panel, and mentorship session, Tozama champions one message: there is power in female leadership. She understands intimately the barriers women face in mining-from lack of representation to systemic biases-and is committed to breaking them down.

She doesn’t advocate for women to adapt to male-dominated leadership norms; rather, she empowers them to lead authentically, drawing from their unique strengths. Her keynote at the “Women in Mining Africa Summit” and her panel participation in “More Women on Mining Boards – Why Does It Matter?” sparked important conversations across the continent.

Her advice to young women? Know that you belong. Hone your technical and leadership skills. Invest in emotional intelligence. Speak up even when it’s hard. And most importantly, define success on your own terms.

She actively supports industry networks and professional groups that empower women and underrepresented voices. She sees her success not as a solitary journey but as a responsibility-to ensure the path is clearer for those who come after.

Speaking on the Global Stage: A Voice That Resonates

Tozama’s influence extends far beyond South Africa. She is a recognized thought leader across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, sharing insights on ESG, women in leadership, and sustainable mining.

Her presence at global platforms such as The Mining Show in Dubai, SSCG Consulting’s Africa Mining and Minerals Forum, and the International Conference on Safe and Sustainable Mining Technologies in India positions her as a respected global voice. Whether addressing innovation in ESG or advocating for diversity in boardrooms, her voice resonates with urgency, clarity, and conviction.

Her speeches are not just informative – they are transformative. Audiences leave inspired, with a renewed commitment to inclusivity, integrity, and impact.

Lessons in Leadership: Wisdom from the Field

Reflecting on her journey, Tozama shares three profound lessons that have shaped her approach:

1. Change Takes Time – Transformative projects, especially those rooted in sustainability and community development, don’t yield instant results. Patience and persistence are essential.
2. Set Boundaries – Burnout is not a badge of honour. Sustainable leadership requires rest, reflection, and balance.
3. Listen More Than You Speak – True leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about creating space for others to be heard.

These lessons reflect not only her strategic mind but her commitment to leading with heart.

Mining Tomorrow: A Vision of Impact

Tozama is excited about the innovations shaping the mining industry. She envisions a future where carbon-neutral mining is standard, waste is repurposed, and communities are active partners in development. A future where mining is measured not by output alone, but by the lives improved and environments restored.

She sees the sector embracing circular economy principles, powered by renewable energy and AI-driven efficiencies. But more than technology, she believes mindset will be the biggest driver of change-leaders who value people and planet as much as profit will define mining’s next chapter.

A Legacy Written in Empowerment

Tozama Kulati Siwisa’s vision for the mining industry transcends technological advancement or regulatory compliance. It is a deeply human vision:

“I dream of an industry where every single person – whether sitting in the executive suite, operating machinery deep underground, or living in a community near a mine – feels genuinely seen, heard, and valued. Where diversity isn’t just a target but a celebrated strength. Where equity is woven into the fabric of operations. Where inclusion means everyone has a stake in the future we’re building together.”

Her legacy, she hopes, won’t be defined solely by the projects she managed or the licenses she secured, but by the people she empowered along the way – the women she mentored, the communities she helped build capacity within, the colleagues she inspired to lead with greater empathy and integrity.

“I want to be remembered” she says softly but with unwavering conviction, “as someone who led with heart, who never compromised her integrity, and who helped prove that mining, at its best, can be a powerful force for lasting, meaningful, positive change in the world.”

Her legacy will not just be found in the licenses secured, the policies written, or the projects executed. It will be in the women she mentored, the communities she uplifted, and the integrity she brought to every boardroom she entered.

She stands today as one of the most influential voices in Corporate Affairs and ESG Leadership-not because she sought recognition, but because she chose purpose over power, empathy over ego, and transformation over tradition.

In a world that is demanding more from its leaders – more vision, more responsibility, more humanity – Tozama is already answering the call.

And in doing so, she is not just leading a company. She is shaping an industry.

The Resonant Voice Shaping Tomorrow’s Industry

Tozama Kulati Siwisa stands at a unique confluence: a seasoned executive with deep operational understanding; a master strategist in stakeholder engagement and corporate affairs; a globally recognized thought leader on ESG; and an unapologetic champion for women, authentic leadership, and the power of empathy. Her journey, defined by the declaration “I am a woman in mining” is a blueprint for transforming an industry often resistant to change.

She navigates the rugged terrain of mining not by adopting the armor of a traditional patriarch, but by wielding the powerful tools of deep listening, ethical conviction, strategic brilliance, and an unwavering belief in the interconnectedness of business, people, and planet. Her work with Zama-Zamas exemplifies her human-first approach. Her leadership at West Wits demonstrates how ESG can be the engine of both ethical responsibility and business resilience. Her voice on global stages challenges complacency and inspires action.

In a world where trust in corporations, particularly extractive industries, is fragile, Tozama Kulati Siwisa represents a different path. She is the “Empathetic Architect” building bridges of understanding, designing strategies rooted in sustainability and inclusion, and proving that authentic leadership – leadership that embraces feminine strength, spiritual grounding, and a profound sense of purpose – is not just viable but essential for the future. She doesn’t just talk about transformative change; she lives it, drives it, and empowers others to join her.

As the mining industry grapples with existential questions about its role in a resource-constrained, climate-conscious world, voices like Tozama Kulati Siwisa’s are not just influential; they are indispensable. She is, without doubt, one of the Most Influential Voices in Corporate Affairs and ESG Leadership, shaping an industry where profit and purpose, power and empathy, can indeed walk hand in hand towards a more just and sustainable future. That future, under guidance like hers, is already being forged.