 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 | ||||
|
Diliza digging for the answers on mine changeMZOLISI DILIZA
MZOLISI Diliza, the new Chamber of Mines chief executive officer, is quite different from the generations of mining executives that have gone before him. For instance, among the letters of congratulation he received on his appointment was one from the Bomvana Chamber of Commerce, a business organisation in one of the former Transkei's remote areas. Bomvana, apart from being home to hundreds of migrant workers on the mines, is also home to Diliza, who is a member of its royal family. Aside from this connection, Diliza, formerly human resources director at the Independent Development Trust, has no previous experience of the mining industry - a fact which prompted some harsh remarks about his appointment. He has quietly ignored critics who labelled him an affirmative action appointee, saying he should be judged by his actions. "I don't think it's important to spend time grandstanding. My actions will prove myself. To me, what is important is making the mining industry a South African industry, to broaden it and bring in those who have been excluded from meaningful participation," says Diliza. Before his first interview with chamber president Bobby Godsell, Diliza was not sure if he wanted the job. "I went to talk to him and during the interview I became quite convinced there was a genuine attempt being made by the industry to become part of a new situation. I want to add my little bit in that regard." Diliza has jumped into the industry at a difficult time. "It's difficult but I don't believe the problems are insurmountable," he says, citing progress already made by employers, labour and government in the Gold Crisis Committee, the body launched after last month's Gold Summit. The crisis committee is an important intervention, he says, with the role of bringing together the three social partners to examine ways to minimise job losses. "This is a not a negotiating forum. Its a joint problem-solving initiative. At no stage has there been any finger-pointing. People have been putting across problems from their perspective," he adds. The committee's first task is to look at mines where retrenchments have already been decided upon. "The beauty of the committee is that both labour and the mining houses are exploring the options and saying: What can we do?" Diliza is genuinely impressed by the contribution employers and labour have made to find each other and by government's high-powered delegation. He hopes the chamber can enlist further support from government in tackling the main issues facing the industry. For example, government intervention is needed regarding the attitude of central banks to gold reserves, he says. It is also important for government to look at laws which increase working costs, the effect on jobs of environmental standards, the tax regime and the problem of input costs in gold mining. "We want to build a close working relationship with labour, government and the communities that depend on gold mining. We want to examine where we are putting our resources and look at creative ways to plan for the future without relying on an industry that is in decline." By setting these priorities, Diliza has in a sense carved himself a political role. "If I can make my modest contribution to transforming society through being part of the chamber, I'll be happy," he says. "One thing I'm not naive about is coming into a 108-year-old industry with a lot of history. For me to think I can change things would be wrong. I've got to understand the organisation first. The bottom line is there must be a reason for change." Diliza is married to Nandi, a medical doctor, and has four children. Carol Paton
|