Phalaborwa company to train 150 to 200 young artisans
Bronzeback in Phalaborwa plans to train 150 to 200 young artisans annually in trades like boilermaking, rubber lining and pipeline management.
LIMPOPO – For Tumelo Matsose, CEO of Phalaborwa-based industrial company Bronzeback, investing in young people and developing local technical skills are essential to building a sustainable future for South Africa.
As the country observes Transport Month this October, Matsose highlighted the importance of equipping young people with practical skills that will enable them to participate meaningfully in the industrial, transport and logistics sectors.
He believes local communities, particularly in Limpopo, should benefit from opportunities created by industrial development rather than relying on skills and services from major metropolitan centres.
Training young artisans
The company and its holding entity Phusha Ukusebenza are working to strengthen technical skills development and create opportunities for young people in specialised trades.
In March 2027, the company plans to launch an employment and skills development initiative aimed at training between 150 and 200 young artisans annually.
The programme will focus on trades such as:
- Boilermaking
- Rubber lining
- Pipeline integrity management
Matsose believes these skills can help address unemployment while giving young people access to sustainable career opportunities.
“Sustainable economic growth is impossible if we leave our youth behind,” he said.
Environmentally responsible practices
His commitment to local development also extends to environmentally responsible industrial practices.
Bronzeback repairs disused piping infrastructure and recycles discarded mining rubber into protective linings for heavy transport dump trucks, helping reduce waste and extend equipment lifespan.
For Matsose, the broader goal is to ensure that young artisans are equipped to manufacture, maintain and repair essential infrastructure, contributing to stronger local economies and a more sustainable industrial sector.
‘Transport Month a timely reminder’
“Transport Month serves as a timely reminder that South Africa’s economic backbone relies entirely on the resilience of our industrial supply chains and the strength of our workforce,” he said.
For more on their training plans, contact 015 781 6178.
