Madondo brings a powerful blend of deep technical roots, operational prowess, strategic boardroom experience, and respected industry credentials. This positions him ideally to build upon July Ndlovu’s legacy and guide Thungela through evolving challenges in global energy markets, regulatory shifts, and broader sustainability demands.

Madondo steps into the role at a critical juncture. Thungela’s future hinges on a strategic blend of operational efficiency, infrastructure collaboration, environmental responsibility, and adaptability to evolving market dynamics and stakeholder expectations.

For certain, Madondo has his work cut out for him as he faces several industry challenges:

• Persistent Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) underperformance remains a significant bottleneck - holding back coal exports to around 47 - 48 Mt annually, far below capacity.

Thungela has already taken measures like curtailing production, renting sidings, and using trucks to manage stockpiles and transport disruptions.
Madondo will need to continue collaborating with industry partners, TFR, and Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) to secure spare parts, improve signalling, enhance security, and stabilize rail performance.

• With API4 coal prices plunging Thungela has seen gross margins fall sharply. Cash reserves have halved, from R26 billion in 2023 to R15.2 billion in 2024.

Addressing this will mean optimizing productivity, managing costs closely, and ensuring that capital allocation - especially to growth projects like Elders and Zibulo North - is disciplined and value-accretive.

• The global shift away from coal, pressure from cleaner energy policies, and looming carbon border taxes pose risks to export competitiveness.

Still, strong thermal coal demand from Asian markets provides a vital lifeline, particularly as new coal mine investments falter - making long-life, low-cost existing assets more valuable.
Madondo will need to balance short-term market navigation with long-term strategic positioning, perhaps expanding into markets via outlets like Thungela Marketing International or leveraging stable assets like Ensham.

• Thungela operates under stringent regulations related to environmental, health, and safety performance and is committed to proactive regulatory compliance and workforce training.

Their ESG ambitions are substantial: targeting a 30% reduction in direct emissions (scope 1 and 2) by 2030, improving water recycling, reducing waste to landfill, and advancing nature-based remediation efforts.
Madondo will need to uphold and expand Thungela’s role in community investment - through schemes like Nkulo Community Partnership Trust and Sisonke Employee Empowerment Scheme - while navigating the socio-economic expectations of local stakeholders.