Verified
Mbuyelo Coal is a black-owned South African coal mining company with operations in Mpumalanga. Mbuyelo is a Xitsonga word meaning “returns”, and the company says its name reflects the belief that rewards follow effort. Mbuyelo Coal grew out of Mbuyelo Group (Pty) Ltd, whose interests span coal mining, logistics, contracting, property and farming.
- Registered name
- Mbuyelo Coal (Pty) Ltd
- Type
- Private company (black-owned coal mining)
- Fields funded
- Electrical, mechanical, metallurgical and mining engineering, geology and surveying
- Website
- mbuyelocoal.com
Built from mining rights
Mbuyelo Coal’s story starts with the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act of 2002 (MPRDA). Holders of old order mining rights had until 30 April 2004 to convert them into new order rights, and unconverted rights fell back to the state. Rirhandzu Owner Siweya, who studied law and worked in corporate law and financial services, then set out with his wife Gloria Lerato Siweya to apply for as many prospecting and mining rights as possible.
The pair started without basic resources, not even their own computer to type applications. They were joined by Siweya’s brother, now a director, and by a close friend, N.M. Shilubane. Enough rights succeeded to build a mining business, and Siweya registered Mbuyelo Coal as a company to be groomed for listing. The chief financial officer, Mr Mthombeni, qualified as a chartered accountant at KPMG and joined the group as CFO in 2008.
Collieries and communities
Mbuyelo’s operations include Manungu Colliery near Delmas, Ntshovelo and Mavungwani, according to a provider record checked in August 2026. Mbuyelo’s social responsibility work links each mine to its neighbours: Manungu works with the Swartklip community, including a Maths and Science Camp, and Ntshovelo supports the nearby community of Arbor. Mbuyelo also describes one operation moving from contract mining to mining with its own employees and equipment, which gave it full control of production.
The Khashani Colliery bursary
Through Khashani Colliery, Mbuyelo funds undergraduate degrees in electrical, mechanical, metallurgical and mining engineering, geology and surveying at recognised South African universities. The bursary renews each year with satisfactory results and gives preference to residents of Ga-Nala in Emalahleni, next to the mine. The 2027 round was advertised in March 2026 and closed on 30 March 2026.
How to research Mbuyelo
Read Mbuyelo’s community stories to see which villages each colliery supports, and email Khashani Colliery’s HR team early in 2027 to request the form. Ask whether other Mbuyelo collieries run their own bursaries for their host communities.
See our mining engineering bursaries and Mpumalanga Government Bursaries pages.
🎓 Download Our Bursary Application Checklist
Download our free Application Checklist to make sure you do not miss any required documents. Submitting a complete application is key to being shortlisted.
📥 Download Checklist (PDF)
