President Cyril Ramaphosa swapped the formality of official engagements for laughter and light-hearted banter on Thursday as he toured Sasol’s sprawling Secunda Operations in Mpumalanga, proving that even a visit to one of the country’s biggest industrial sites has room for humour.
Ramaphosa was visiting the facility to gain a first-hand appreciation of Sasol’s integrated value chain and its contribution to South Africa’s energy security, industrial capability, manufacturing, skills development and economic growth.
But before the technical presentations began, it was Sasol’s senior vice-president for mining, Veli Sibiya, who unexpectedly became the centre of attention.
Introducing Ramaphosa to the operation, Sibiya explained that Sasol Mining extracts and handles about 32-million tonnes of coal every year, with the vast majority feeding the company’s synthetic fuel and chemical plants.
“We will take you through as we go on the bus to indicate the scale,” Sibiya told Ramaphosa.
Sibiya’s sunglasses catch the strays
Looking at Sibiya’s sunglasses, Ramaphosa could not resist.
“So, that’s why you wear dark glasses? It’s the coal dust,” the president joked.
Sibiya fired straight back.
“And that’s why I’m this dark; it’s the coal.”
The exchange drew laughter from those gathered, but Ramaphosa was not done.
‘When I’m with Lamola, I feel like a mlungu’
“You are like Lamola. Lamola is also dark. When I’m with Lamola, I feel like a mlungu,” he quipped, referring to International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola.
The mood remained relaxed as the delegation boarded a bus to tour what is effectively an industrial city.
Stretching over about 13 to 15 square kilometres, roughly the size of 200 soccer fields, the Secunda complex is among the largest coal-to-liquids facilities in the world.
As the bus wound through the vast operation, another sight caught the president’s attention.
Ramaphosa tickled by grazing cattle
Looking through the window, Ramaphosa burst into laughter after spotting cattle grazing peacefully inside the industrial complex.
Known for his passion for farming and his prized Ankole cattle, the president immediately pointed out the animals to Sasol executives, who smiled and assured him they would later explain why livestock were grazing alongside one of South Africa’s busiest industrial plants.
The visit then turned to business.
President inspects Sasol’s massive coal stockyard
Ramaphosa watched demonstrations of Sasol’s massive coal stockyard, where blending processes ensure a consistent and reliable coal supply for production.
He also observed how diesel and petrol are produced and blended before being supplied to the market, while executives showcased investments aimed at cleaner fuel technologies.
Coal beneficiation
According to the presidency, about 35-million tonnes of locally mined coal are beneficiated at Secunda every year to produce a wide range of fuel and chemical products supporting key sectors of the South African economy.
The president also received briefings on Sasol’s mining, gasification, proprietary Fischer-Tropsch technology, refining, logistics and chemical production, as well as the company’s role in supporting manufacturing, strengthening supply chains, developing skills and sustaining employment.
Ramaphosa was accompanied by Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu and hosted by Sasol president and chief executive Simon Baloyi, board chairperson Muriel Dube and members of the Sasol executive team.
While the visit focused on economic growth and industrial development, it was the president’s jokes about coal dust, complexion and an unexpected herd of cattle that ensured the tour ended with as many smiles as statistics.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa toured Sasol's Secunda Operations in Mpumalanga to understand its role in South Africa's energy security and economic growth.
- Sasol Mining extracts about 32 million tonnes of coal annually, primarily for synthetic fuel and chemical production.
- Ramaphosa joked with Sasol's senior vice-president for mining, Veli Sibiya, about coal dust and complexion during the visit.
- The Secunda complex spans 13 to 15 square kilometers and is among the largest coal-to-liquids facilities globally.
- Ramaphosa observed Sasol's coal stockyard operations and received briefings on the company's technologies and contributions to manufacturing, skills development, and employment.
