Thatego Holdings' path to sustainable growth

Thatego Holdings is a Level 1 B-BBEE, 100% black women-owned mining services company. As the business experienced rapid growth, it encountered a set of operational and financial challenges that began to constrain its ability to scale sustainably.

In August 2025, Thatego Holdings engaged PwC through Project Tractor, a strategic support initiative designed to assess growth readiness and unlock operational efficiency.

PwC deployed a multidisciplinary team spanning operations, finance, supply chain, quality management, and workforce planning. The engagement included structured workshops, a mining site visit, and close collaboration with Thatego’s leadership to ensure alignment with the company’s strategy and long-term vision.

• Land rehabilitation activities lacked precise hectare measurement due to the absence of GPS tracking, creating billing and compliance risks
• A discarding project relied heavily on rented machinery, increasing operational costs
• Quality control processes were largely client-driven, with limited internal standardisation
• Supply chain management remained manual, with no formal procurement controls in place

PwC worked closely with Thatego’s leadership to develop targeted, practical recommendations:

• Implementation of GPS tracking and asset management systems to improve operational visibility and billing accuracy
• Development of standard operating procedures, procurement controls, and a centralised quality framework
• Financial interventions to improve cash flow, including enhanced collections processes, supplier renegotiations, and cost discipline
• A structured client diversification strategy to reduce concentration risk over a 24–36 month period
• Organisational improvements through skills analysis, succession planning, and role clarification

The outcome of the engagement was a clear and prioritised roadmap to stabilise working capital, strengthen operational control, and position the business for scalable growth.

This case highlights how targeted intervention and structured support can enable high-potential businesses to transition from rapid growth under pressure to sustainable, process-driven performance.