NAMIBIAN women continue to break glass ceilings that society has placed above their heads as they continue breaking into the male-dominated fields and career choices. Diana Kuutondokwa (DK) is one such woman who refused to be defined by her gender and decided to take up a career in the mining industry where she has risen to become a shift planner at Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine. She tells Women in Business (WB) magazine about her journey.

IWIB: Please Introduce yourself, telling us your name and occupation
DK: My name is Diana Kuutondokwa. I am a Mining Engineer and currently the Production Mine Overseer at Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine.

IWIB: Let us talk about your career and current role before discussing the wider industry itself. When did your interest in mining begin?
DK: In 2005 I completed Grade 12 at Mweshipandeka High School, and in 2012, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Honors degree in Mining Engineering before I obtained a Certificate in Operational Management Certificate in 2016 and a master’s degree in business administration in 2019.

After my graduation, I started working for Ministry of Mines and Energy before moving on to Weatherly Mining’s Otjihase mine as a graduate mining engineer and then mining engineer. In 2016 I became mine manager at Namibia Tantalite Mine (NTI) before relocating to Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine in 2021 to be a shift scheduler (short term planner) and 2023 I became a production mine overseer, a position I still hold.

My interest in mining started back then when my uncle, who was a miner at Rossing Uranium Mine, visited us in Ovamboland and told us stories about mining that piqued my imagination. I always found his stories interesting and grew in love with mining despite him telling us it was a male-dominated industry. I decided to study mining engineering at university to boost my chances of breaking into the industry.

IWIB: What are your main responsibilities in your current role?
DK: My main responsibilities are ensuring that KPIs are achieved safely and efficiency. Control the annual budget for the section, ensure all personnel under me are working in a safe and acceptable working condition, overseeing all load-and-haul activities underground and ensuring the crushing plant receives good grade ore.

IWIB: How are you finding it?
DK: I am enjoying my role and working in a male-dominant environment. Most people believed the mining industry is for men only, however it is our responsibilities as women to challenge that and show that what men can do we women can do it better. I am enjoying seeing men pushing harder to get the work done better than me, however I always show them that women we can do it better than them.

IWIB: What challenges do professional women in the Namibian mining sector face?
DK: Men always see women as threats and always undermine women because they believe women cannot perform mining related work. The mining sector is a male-dominant sector and working with them one has to be very dedicated, self-confident and with strong character so that they cannot undermine you, but respect you as a fellow employee who performs equal duties as a man.

IWIB: What is the best way for companies to attract more women to mining careers?
DK: Mining companies must start mining careers awareness campaigns at secondary school as well as have affirmative policies. Women must be given opportunities to hold higher positions in mining company.

IWIB: The media has been writing a lot about getting girls into STEM, and the small number of women in the industry. How have you found being one of a few women working in the mining industry?
DK: I have found it as a blessing. It quite interesting working in mining industry where men think they own the industry. Working in mining you get to see the results of your work and putting in overall and boots, going underground and doing physical job is such a blessing and I would like to advise other women to join mining industry. There is nothing wrong with women working in mining.

IWIB: Do you have a set plan for the future?
DK: Yes, studying towards my second master’s degree. I would like to transform mining industry into profitable industry.

IWIB: How do you balance being a wife or mother and your profession?
DK: I am a wife and mother to lovely son. I have a very supportive family, who support and respect my profession. I set a timeline for work and for my family.

IWIB: How do you unwind from an intense day at work?
DK: Before end of each shift, I always prepare for the following day. Planning priorities for the next day can help reduce anxiety about unfinished tasks. During my free time, I experiment with different techniques to find what works best for me for the next day. Also doing exercises such as brisk walk and jog to relieve stress. After work I spend time with my loved ones for emotional support.

IWIB: Is there anything else we did not ask that you might want to add?
DK: Yes, It is quite a good experience and blessing being the leader of a group full of intelligence, multi-skilled and experienced. One can always get more experience, patience, emotional intelligence, skill and learn to work as part of a team with people from different backgrounds. I am proud to be part of our mining team.