Seriti Resources: Contextual Leadership in Maintaining Production Momentum

On April 8, 2024, Mike Teke—co-founder and group chief executive officer of Seriti Resources Holdings Ltd. (Seriti)—was driving to an executive meeting in Mpumalanga, South Africa, reflecting on how to sustain Seriti’s momentum in motivating employees toward higher productivity while maintaining a safe working environment. Although some sections of the Khutala Colliery had achieved high production levels, performance across Seriti’s operations remained uneven. Teke sought to extend the successes at Khutala across the organization and integrate lessons on employee motivation into Seriti’s broader operational strategy. These reflections came as the company was also preparing to expand into renewable energy, raising questions about how best to align productivity, safety, and long-term sustainability in South Africa’s shifting energy sector.