The drivers and restraining factors for achieving employment equity at management level in gold mining companies

Abstract

South African gold mining companies fail to meet employment equity targets at management level. The research aimed at establishing the level of Blacks in junior, middle and senior management positions in South African gold mining companies and to gain an understanding of the drivers and restraining factors for achieving employment equity at management level. Qualitative research was undertaken comprising focus group discussions with Black managers in the gold mining industry and with the Department of Mineral Resources. This was supplemented with in-depth interviews with gold mining HR and transformation managers/executives, labour unions and the Department of Labour. The research confirmed the current level of Blacks in management in gold mining companies, ranging between 23% and 29.6%. A conflict was identified between the Department of Mineral Resource’s “compliance” approach compared to gold companies’ “commitment” approach to employment equity transformation. Transformation Planning, Individual Development Support and Employment Equity Support Structures emerged as the key employment equity transformation themes. These were captured in the “three pillar” model to guide improved employment equity transformation in South African gold mining companies. Copyright