Powerhouse women are made in the mines, Miriam Fonang is refined by playing in male dominated sectors this is a true reflection of woman’s month celebrated throughout the month of August.
Miriam Fonang, founder of Outlwile Trading Enterprise
Fonang is embedding the spirit of resilience such as the likes Winnie Mandela, Albertina Sisulu women who fought for equality, it’s impeccable to see leadership transform 31 years later into democracy.
Northern Cape born, Fonang is reshaping how Black entrepreneurs are leading and finding their voices in a room full of men in the mining supply chain sector. She is the founder of Outlwile Trading Enterprise, using her business as a tool to spark economic hope in rural communities. Founded in 2019, in just a few years she has scaled up from outsider to industry influencer.
“At Outlwile’s, I make a conscious effort to empower other women through skills development, mentorship and inclusion. I believe that the best way to support women in mining is to first create spaces where they are seen, heard and taken seriously. When we hire or partner, we look for ways to bring women into opportunities they might not otherwise access, from procurement to logistics to administration,” Fonang explained.
“My dream was never just to own a business. It was to change what business means for people like me – from survival to strategy, from hustle to legacy,” she said.
What makes Fonang’s journey remarkable is that she never left her roots. Based in the rural town of Postmasburg, she chose to build from within, hiring locally, mentoring youth, and prioritising community contracts. Fonang launched her company with no generational wealth and no entry into elite networks. Her deep insight of understanding her environment drives her to be an agent of change in society.
Steering young women into channels of hope as a mentor, she believes there are no barriers women can’t climb in this steep entrenched gatekeepers, capital-intensive demands, and an industry sceptical of newcomers, especially women.
“I also mentor young women, sharing insights about the challenges and triumphs of running a business in the mining sector. Encouragement is not just about words, it's about providing real opportunities, and showing women that they can lead from the front.” In a sector where women still represent a tiny fraction of leadership, Fonang stands tall.
Representing a new era of industrial inclusion, one that is unapologetically female, deeply African, and rooted in purpose. Her journey challenges the belief that mining is only for big players or urban-based entrepreneurs. Through Outlwile Trading Enterprise, she’s proving that industrial innovation can start in a village, and that transformation doesn’t require permission, just action.
Rural women: The backbone of South Africa’s economic future
Fonang expressing passion for what drives her as a woman? “The opportunity to create lasting impact not just in business, but in the lives of the people in my community, especially women and youth. I am passionate about showing that women, particularly black women from rural areas like Postmasburg, can lead, build, and thrive in male-dominated industries like mining.”
She believes rural women are not just recipients of development, but drivers of it. Through mentorship, supplier development initiatives, and advocacy, she’s opening doors for the next generation of female-led enterprises in the most overlooked corners of South Africa.
“I’ve always believed that local businesses should play a central role in the mining value chain. That belief inspired me to co-found Outlwile’s Trading Enterprise not just as a company, but as a platform for transformation. Seeing our business grow, create jobs, and gain the confidence of major industry players gives me the motivation to continue pushing boundaries.”
Her legacy is already in motion
Fonang is impactful, stirring women into taking charge, refining rural success stories. “To all women in mining, I say: don’t underestimate your worth or let fear limit your ambition. The road might not be easy, but every step forward creates a path for another woman to follow. Be bold, stay focused, and take pride in being part of the generation that’s changing the face of mining,” she added.
Dabbling challenges as a woman in business is nothing but a crisis, a criteria needing serious resolve in South Africa. Highlighting battles of recognition in male dominated industries, Fonang says men don’t take women seriously in the entrepreneurial space as well as limited funding access become obstacles oppressing women from thriving.
“Women in business, especially in the mining industry, face many struggles, often silently. One of the biggest challenges is being taken seriously in rooms dominated by men. We often must prove ourselves twice as much, even when we bring the same or better ideas and value.
Access to funding and opportunities is also a real issue. Many women-led businesses don’t get the same exposure to contracts, networks, or supplier development programmes. There’s also a cultural expectation for women to balance home responsibilities, which can make it even harder to grow a business in a demanding sector like mining. But we keep showing up. We keep building.”
“I am proud to be a beneficiary of Anglo American Zimele’s enterprise development support, which has helped me gain access to critical resources and networks needed to grow Outlwile Trading Enterprise and create lasting impact in my community,” Fonang shared.
