Tozama Kulati Siwisa
Executive Director (RSA Subsidiary) and the Head of Corporate Affairs at West Wits Mining
In an industry often characterized by steel, stone, and the weight of heavy machinery, Tozama Kulati Siwisa stands as a reminder that the true force shaping the future of mining is humanity. Her journey into the sector was never planned. Mining, to her, was once a world seemingly distant, rigid, and defined purely by extraction. Yet, what began as an unexpected path would become her purpose – a calling grounded in community upliftment and responsible progress.
Today, Tozama serves as the Executive Director and Head of Corporate Affairs at West Wits Mining, a role in which she merges corporate accountability with deep social responsibility. Her early career centered around stakeholder engagement at a time when mining communities in South Africa were battling profound economic strain, distrust, and social instability. Rather than turning away from the tension, she leaned in – and it was in those raw conversations and real human stories that she discovered her direction.
She recalls realizing that mining, when done responsibly, could shift the trajectory of entire communities. It could provide jobs, restore dignity, and build sustainable futures. The human element became her compass. “I evolved from being the bridge between people and corporate policy to shaping the very strategies that build trust” she reflects. That evolution earned her a voice not just at boardroom tables, but within communities whose futures depend on ethical, sustainable, and transparent decisions.
A Defining Moment of Recognition
In 2025, Tozama’s work received international acknowledgment when she was honoured with the Rising Star Award at the Australia-Africa Minerals & Energy Group (AAMEG) Awards, held during the Africa Down Under Conference in Perth. The awards celebrate influential ESG leaders shaping the future of mining – leaders committed to ensuring that the industry contributes meaningfully far beyond profitability.
For Tozama, the award felt like more than personal recognition. It was a celebration of collective belief – of teams, communities, and partners who envision mining as a force for good. “Being recognised among such leaders is a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life” she says. “It reinforces my responsibility to open doors for others.”
Her leadership has been central to ensuring that the Qala Shallows Project reflects the principles of responsible mining. The project’s mandate is clear: sustainability is not an option; it is the standard. The award symbolises the long path travelled and the even longer one ahead – a reminder that progress is shared and leadership is service.
The Future of Mining: From Extraction to Regeneration
As the mining industry stands at a crossroads, Tozama is one of the voices guiding its transformation. She believes that the sector is entering a defining era – one that demands innovation, accountability, and inclusivity. The future, she insists, belongs to organisations that can merge modern technology with ethical responsibility.
“We are moving from extraction to regeneration, from measuring tonnes of ore to measuring tonnes of restored soil” she explains. Digital innovation is accelerating transparency in ESG performance, delivering real-time insights that move beyond compliance and into measurable accountability.
But amid cutting-edge digital systems and advanced operational models, Tozama’s focus remains unwavering: people are the core. “Technology can measure progress, but people must define it” she emphasizes. She sees her role – and her organisation’s responsibility – as advocating for policies that prioritise long-term community benefit and ensure that Africa’s mineral wealth powers futures rather than divides them.
The next generation of mining, she believes, will not be judged by what it extracts from the ground, but by what it restores to the land, the environment, and society.
A Message for Future Leaders
For the leaders rising behind her, Tozama offers guidance shaped by her own journey. Success, she insists, begins with empathy and intention. “Never forget your ‘why.’ Leadership is about understanding your values and letting them guide your actions.”
Her message to young professionals – especially women navigating industries where representation remains low – is powerful: you do not need to conform to succeed. “You don’t have to fit into existing moulds. Redefine them. Know that you belong and define success on your own terms.”
Leadership, to her, is not about authority but service. Whether influencing policy, managing operational structures, or engaging communities, impact is measured not by reports or headlines, but by lives changed. “If your work improves even one life, it is meaningful” she says.
And perhaps most profoundly, she concludes with a reminder she carries for herself: “No matter where you are placed, always remember that your goal is the finishing line.”
A Leader Shaping Mining’s New Identity
Tozama Kulati Siwisa is rewriting the narrative of mining – from one of extraction to one of empowerment. Through her voice, her leadership, and her deeply human perspective, she is building a future where mining uplifts rather than divides, restores rather than consumes, and leads with responsibility rather than force.
Her journey may have begun by chance, but today, it stands as intention, vision, and purpose – proving that the most transformative leaders are those who lead with heart.