Exploring opportunity with Phakamisa
Andre Nel, Site Manager at Carletonville, was presented with the opportunity to join Phakamisa’s team in late 2014.
Since starting in Ermelo, Mpumalanga, Phakamisa Hard Rock Mining has evolved to become a prominent contractor in the mining industry. Having built the company from the ground up, Phakamisa has over 21 years of experience in supplying highly skilled operators, reliable low-hour equipment and knowledgeable administrative and managerial teams.
These days Phakamisa operates out of Carletonville in Gauteng where their thriving enterprise is a force to be reckoned with.
Now Phakamisa can see the fruit of their labour, but they are also familiar with the challenges they had to overcome since their humble beginnings. For this reason, the company is more than willing to give those who recognise an opportunity to grow, the chance to flourish.
Andre Nel, Site Manager at Carletonville, was presented with the opportunity to join Phakamisa’s team in late 2014. He had been working as a Golf Director and Green Keeper at the Ermelo Country Club when Gawie Vermaak, CEO of Phakamisa Logistics at the time, approached him with the job opportunity.
“Gawie said he was looking for someone with little experience in the industry so that he could train that person the way he wanted a foreman to run the site,” explained Andre. “With little experience and a lot of doubt, but also a lot of faith, I took the leap and moved from Ermelo.”
Having resided in Ermelo his entire life, Andre found the move to be the biggest change. Although the steps to start over were daunting, the support from Gawie and the rest of the team at Phakamisa made it a swift adjustment. Andre’s wife and children moved with him and enjoyed the wider opportunities that would make the relocation worthwhile.
Andre has no doubts that this was the right decision and he’s grateful for the opportunities that Phakamisa gave him to develop his career. Under their careful guidance, he grew to become a fair and disciplined Site Manager.
“I’m now working with a great team for whom I have a lot of respect. Phakamisa is like our family and we take care of each other in good times and in bad times. Now I can be the best version of myself to help the company grow,” Andre said.
Phakamisa’s highly satisfied clients are a testament to the company’s dynamic and professional teams who ensure that operations run smoothly. With a particular focus on uptime and productivity, Phakamisa’s priority is to adhere to mining safety procedures and maintain standards that are above reproach.