In the heart of the West Rand, where mining has shaped communities, livelihoods and Gauteng’s economic story for decades, a new chapter is being written, one that places small businesses, skills development and inclusion at the centre of the province’s mining future.
Through the Mining Sector MSMEs Support Programme, led by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) and implemented by Lepharo NPC in partnership with the GeoStrat School of Mining, 15 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have already taken a significant step toward meaningful participation in the mining value chain.
The programme forms part of GDED’s broader High Impact Partnership Delivery Model (HIPDM), aimed at unlocking economic opportunities while ensuring sustainability, safety and transformation in the mining sector.
Mining remains a cornerstone of Gauteng’s economy, supporting thousands of jobs and driving growth across related industries such as manufacturing and logistics.
Yet for many MSMEs, particularly those owned by youth, women and persons with disabilities, entry into the mining value chain has remained out of reach.
A lack of sector-specific expertise, limited exposure to real mining environments and challenges with accreditation have kept many capable entrepreneurs on the margins of the industry.
It is against this backdrop that Lepharo, with the support of GDED, launched a focused intervention in the West Rand aimed at changing that reality.
The programme has already trained 15 mining-sector MSMEs in hard rock mining, equipping them with practical, accredited skills that are immediately relevant to the industry.
For Sonwabile Baartman, a small business owner and programme beneficiary, the experience has been transformative.
“I am excited to be part of this course because I believe it is going to give me the necessary exposure,” he said. “I now better understand the mining sector, and this has helped me see how I can expand my small business to offer more services within the industry.”
The training is delivered in partnership with the GeoStrat School of Mining in Randfontein, an institution that plays a critical role in demystifying the sector for new entrants. Danne Pretorious, Head of the GeoStrat School of Mining, emphasised the broader importance of the institution.
“The school is important because it provides an opportunity for young people who are interested in mining to better understand the sector,” he explained.
“It also opens them up to the different career streams that exist within mining. I hope that the school does not only benefits those in mining towns, but also people across the province who want to learn more about the industry.”
For many participants, the programme represents their first real opportunity to engage with formal mining education.
Palesa Rabele, who recently opened her own small business in the mining sector, said the programme has given her a strong foundation.
“This programme has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the mining industry,” she said. “It has also assisted me in ensuring that I conduct my business safely, which is very important in this sector.”
The programme is structured in two phases, carefully designed to address the specific barriers MSMEs face when trying to enter the mining market.
In the first and second phase, participants completed Competent A and Competent B training, which are MQA-accredited skills programmes in underground mining, particularly in hard rock environments.
Competent A certifies individuals to examine and declare a working place safe, while Competent B focuses on the installation, maintenance and removal of underground support systems such as roof bolts or timber.
According to Makgomo Mthembu, Project Lead at Lepharo, the programme was developed in direct response to longstanding challenges faced by SMMEs in the sector.
“Mining has historically had a significant impact on the development of the West Rand, but access to the industry has not always been inclusive,” she said.
“For many years, SMMEs in Gauteng have tried to tap into the mining industry but struggled due to a lack of expertise, limited exposure, and challenges with accreditation. In response, Lepharo and GDED partnered to create a programme that enables beneficiaries to attend a mining school and gain the skills they need to participate meaningfully in the sector.”
Looking ahead, the partnership is already working to broaden the scale and depth of support offered to beneficiaries.
Lepharo and GDED are in the process of developing a learner pathway that will enable SMMEs to advance further through a 12-month full-time course in blasting, yellow machinery and mineral processing, positioning them for more specialised and higher-value roles within the mining value chain.
For GDED, the programme reflects a broader commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive and skilled mining sector in Gauteng. Bethusile Malibe, the project leader, highlighted the Department’s role in driving this transformation.
“The Gauteng Department of Economic Development recognises that the future of the mining sector in Gauteng depends on how well we support emerging businesses today,” she said.
“This project is important because it strengthens skills development, promotes safety and ensures that SMMEs are better positioned to contribute to economic growth and job creation in the province’s mining sector.”
As the West Rand project continues to unfold, its impact is already evident in the confidence, knowledge and ambition of its beneficiaries.
What was once an industry that felt closed off is steadily opening up, creating real opportunities for small businesses ready to grow, create jobs and help shape a more inclusive future for mining in Gauteng.
Click here to learn more about the Gauteng Department of Economic Development High Impact project.
