MINING INDABA •
KHUMBUL ' EKHAYA 2.0: A LEADERSHIP-LED SAFETY AND HEALTH RENAISSANCE FOR SA MINING
By Dushendra Naidoo – head of Safety and Sustainable Development at the Minerals Council South Africa
Khumbul ' ekhaya, meaning " Remembering Home " in isiZulu, is more than a name. It is a solemn promise that every mineworker must return home safely.
As we approach Mining Indaba 2026, the South African mining industry stands at a pivotal moment in its safety and health journey. With the launch and mobilisation of Khumbul ' ekhaya Version 2.0, we are not merely refining a strategy; we are reigniting a movement.
Reflection to reinvention Khumbul ' ekhaya 2.0 is the product of deep introspection, datadriven analysis and heartfelt leadership engagement. It builds on the foundation laid by its predecessor, but with a sharper focus and a more disciplined execution framework. The strategy was conceptualised following a comprehensive milestone analysis( 2014 – 2024), the outcomes of the CEO Heartfelt Conversation in November 2024, and the endorsement of the Minerals Council Board and CEO Zero Harm Forum in 2025. This version is not a rebrand. It is a reimagination of what safety leadership looks like in a modern, complex and evolving mining environment. It is about embedding a culture of care, accountability and innovation at every level of the organisation.
The Strategy Map: A compass for zero harm At the centre of this renewed approach is the Khumbul ' ekhaya 2.0 Strategy Map, a visual framework that aligns leadership, operational controls, innovation and wellness into a cohesive path toward Zero Harm. This diagram is not just a planning tool; it is a shared compass for the industry, guiding every stakeholder from boardroom to rock Dushendra Naidoo, head: Safety & face( refer Figure 1). The Sustainable Development, Minerals map illustrates how the
Council South Africa. five pillars of the strategy interconnect to drive measurable outcomes.
All image supplied by Minerals Council South Africa
Supplied by Minerals Council South Africa
Figure 1: Khumbul’ ekhaya Version 2.0 Strategy. This map is not just a planning tool; it is a shared compass for the industry, guiding every stakeholder from boardroom to rock face.
www. africanmining. co. za African Mining Publication African Mining African Mining • January 2026 • 35