Prudence Shipandeni, a Process Manager at Namdeb, deeply believes in the values of teamwork and innovation. She understands that success is not just about achieving goals in the present, but also about laying the foundation for a better tomorrow. With years of experience in the mining industry, she has developed a love for coaching, believing in the transformative power of guidance, support, and encouragement. Her approach is rooted in co-creating and co-learning. Dedicated to making a positive impact, Prudence finds joy in fostering meaningful connections and helping team members thrive in their journey.

What does coaching mean to you?
Coaching to me is an opportunity for co-learning and co-creating, and a first step to self-awareness or learning your “why,” be it for personal growth or career guidance.
Whilst I work with people daily and am aware of the complexities of people engagement, I did not fully grasp the extent of coaching prior to my coaching journey. Coaching truly allows one to navigate their leadership journey and show up as their authentic self.
It is important to note that coaching thrives on interpersonal connections, emphasizing the importance of co-creation and the ability to provide empathetic feedback.

What are some of the important qualities that a coach should have?
To be a coach, your motives must be altruistic, creating a safe space for engagements. A coach is also someone who recognizes their own limitations and is open to seeking guidance when needed. This is someone who should be open to collaboration and value the opportunity to learn from others in as much as they are the ones providing guidance and direction.

What inspires you to give back through coaching, and how has your ‘giving back’ journey evolved over time?
I am inspired by my love for people and desire for continuous development. I truly enjoy what I do, and I take pride in seeing my team achieve our goals.
My approach to giving back has evolved from inspiring women to get their blasting tickets, to encouraging them to take up supervisory roles and motivating teams to further their education. We are driven to continuously push boundaries and break our production records. Whatever the avenue, I make it a point for my team to always strive for positive change.
Each year my team and I strive to be better than we were last year in terms of personal development or organizational targets. There are two things we believe in; there is no growth in stagnation and courage over comfort, always.

What are some of the challenges that young girls face and what role can mentorship play in addressing these challenges?
Women all over the world face different challenges depending on the industry they are in and to overcome these challenges we tend to align ourselves with people who talk, look and behave like us, comradery is what helps most people overcome. While that is important, we also need to challenge ourselves to be different. There is a quote by Rosalynn Carter “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be”. I find this to be true for coaching and mentoring as well. Yes, there are challenges but what do you have within yourself to change your situation? Let challenges fuel you instead of defining the reasons why something can’t be achieved.

How do you think mentorship contributes to building a more equitable and empowered future for women?
At Namdeb we have some of the most extraordinary examples of the influence of mentorship or coaching. When we talk, it’s clear how much we inspire each other and how, in many ways, we draw inspiration from similar sources, like the drive to make a difference and contribute value in one way or another..
The impact of women in digital transformation, risk management, metallurgy, the MRM space, and especially those who break barriers in roles like transvac operators, highlights the diverse and powerful contributions women make in traditionally male -dominated fields. Whether formally or informally, we all see the benefit of mentoring in our careers and most importantly, we all hold each other accountable to be better today than we were yesterday.

How can we make mentoring more accessible to girls in underserved communities?
This can be achieved through collaboration with high schools and community groups.

What impact do you hope to see as a result of coaching?
I want to see more people take up coaching as it would greatly improve the work environment. The diversity in the different teams is astounding, and we can build on each other’s strengths.

Can you share a time where a mentor made a significant impact in your life?
I can’t think of one specific time, but my mentor does well in challenging my limiting beliefs. Without veering to delusion, my mentor challenges me to dare.

If you could give young girls some advice about stepping into their power, what would it be?
Learn from others who have gone before you, and if there is no representation, be the pioneer. Do it scared.