Ronewa shares the gift of science
Ronewa Analytical Laboratory CEO Munei Raphalani and COO Sharon Mugubi
Founded 12 years ago by metallurgist Munei Raphalani and chemist Sharon Mugubi, Ronewa Analytical Laboratory has grown into an accredited establishment serving several mines, including Gugulethu Colliery. With headquarters in Middelburg, the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) accredited facility employs over 110 people, 33 of whom are based at Gugulethu’s processing plant. The team ensures that the coal is tested daily and meets the mine’s customer specifications and requirements.
Munei and Sharon decided to establish the company, combining their shared vision and years of industry experience. The duo became friends while still in varsity. Munei, who grew up in Kwadela Township, near Gugulethu, studied at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) and the Tshwane University of Technology, where he obtained a National Diploma in Metallurgy and a B-Tech in Metallurgy. After completing his studies, he began his career at Xstrata as a metallurgist, gaining experience in the analysis of a wide range of minerals.
From there, he worked at Glencore for a solid 12 years before deciding to go into business. “The business bug bit me, and that is when I decided to partner with Sharon and start Ronewa,” Munei recalls. Sharon, who hails from Limpopo, instantly agreed to join Munei in the venture. At the time, she had built a lucrative career as one of the youngest quality assurance managers at Afrisam in the Northern Cape. She holds a B.Tech in Chemistry from VUT and an MBA from North West University. “When Munei approached me, I was ready,” says Sharon.
The pair parted ways with their employers and used a portion of their provident funds and a grant from the Industrial Development Corporation to launch Ronewa. “In the beginning, it was just the two of us. We collected samples from mines, came back to the lab, prepared them, analysed them, and sent out the results ourselves. It was hectic with sleepless nights, but we made it,” Sharon recalls.
The name Ronewa, a Tshivenda word meaning ‘we have been given’ or ‘we are blessed’, reflects the team’s bigger purpose to impact lives. “It’s not just about us. “It is about giving back. There are so many graduates without jobs; we want to invest in them,” Sharon concludes.
