Mike Teke

(April 2025)

Mike Teke

In This Article

Synopsis

Mike Teke is a prominent South African mining entrepreneur and the esteemed founder of Seriti Resources. He stands out due to his exceptional business acumen, unwavering commitment to transformation, and steadfast advocacy for sustainable practices within the mining industry. Teke’s remarkable leadership qualities make him an inspiring figure, as he empowers historically disadvantaged individuals and spearheads positive change within local communities.

Introduction

Meet an extraordinary individual who embodies the true spirit of philanthropy and mentorship with a heart brimming with compassion and a genuine desire to make a difference.

Mike Teke, a remarkable and inspiring entrepreneur and mining leader in South Africa is a model of His unwavering dedication and exceptional abilities. It’s no wonder he has an indelible impact on the mining industry!

Teke’s remarkable journey is a testament to the incredible impact of unwavering determination and a visionary mindset. His attainment of great heights is a result of his relentless pursuit of success. He is a shining example of how passion and perseverance can truly transform your life.

  1. Who is Mike Teke?
  2. What Makes Mike Teke So Special?
  3. What Does Mike Teke Care About?
  4. What Are Mike Teke’s Greatest Deeds?
  5. What Has Mike Teke Faced as Challenges?
  6. What Keeps Mike Teke Motivated?
  7. Why Is Mike Teke Such a Role Model?
  8. What Is Mike Teke Currently Working On?
  9. What Could Slow Mike Teke Down?
  10. What Can You Learn From Mike Teke?

1. Who is Mike Teke?

Mike Teke is a distinguished South African entrepreneur, currently serving as Chief Executive Officer at Seriti Resources Holdings Proprietary Ltd, a prominent coal mining and energy enterprise. In addition to his notable accomplishments, he holds the celebrated position of Chairperson and the controlling shareholder of the renowned Masimong Group, a diversified investment firm spanning mining, agriculture, and financial services. He is also a board member at the University of Johannesburg.

Born in 1964, Mike hails from the vibrant town of KwaThema, nestled in the picturesque Springs region. He comes from a humble background without parents, but credit for his upbringing goes to his grandmother, to whom he attributes most of his achievements. With an insatiable thirst for knowledge, he embarks on an academic journey that culminates in the attainment of a prestigious post-graduate sciences degree from the esteemed Limpopo University.

It is interesting to point out that Teke’s initial pursuit of a career as a school teacher, prior to embarking on his endeavors in the mining and business sectors,

Witness his impressive professional trajectory, extensive experience in the field of Human Resources, and pivotal roles in renowned organizations including Bayer, Unilever, BHP, and Impala Platinum. Also noteworthy is his new venture in 2008, co-founding Optimum Coal, a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and drive for success.

Another impressive thing about him is that he dedicates a significant portion of his time to nurturing and guiding the younger generation. Through his selfless acts, he graciously offers an invaluable gift – an hour of his undivided attention to each and every young person he mentors.

With a remarkable blend of sophistication and expertise, he is a prominent figure among South Africa’s esteemed mining executives.

2. What Makes Mike Teke So Special?

The outstanding quality of his character lies in his adeptness at integrating his visionary leadership and innovative mindset within the mining and energy industry, while simultaneously demonstrating unwavering dedication, generosity, and humility in the realms of social and educational initiatives.

Mike’s significant impact across various aspects of his businesses, customers, employees, partners, and communities which extends beyond his own ventures, his commitment to transformation, entrepreneurial spirit, and his trailblazing achievements make him a centre of attraction.

He is a shining example of the ability to successfully overcome various challenges and adversities, while consistently achieving goals with a strong commitment to integrity and excellence.

He serves as a role model and mentor to numerous aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders in South Africa and other regions.

3. What Does Mike Teke Care About?

Mike Teke
Some of the things and people that Mike Teke cares about, and the things he holds as important are:

  • His family- His attitude to his family is one of love, gratitude, and support. He is happily married to his beautiful wife, Sandi, and they have two children. He also considers his employees and partners as part of his family. He wants to provide for his family, support their dreams, and make them proud.

  • His integrity- He named his company Seriti, which means integrity in Sotho, and he strives to uphold this value in his business dealings and relationships.

  • His respect for others-. He treats everyone with respect, regardless of their background, position, or opinion. He listens to different perspectives and values diversity.

  • His leadership- He has the vision to become as big as Anglo American, and he leads his team with passion, performance, and innovation. He also mentors and empowers young leaders in the mining and energy sector.

  • His work ethic- He works hard to achieve his goals, and he does not give up easily. He is always looking for new opportunities and challenges to grow his business and impact.

  • His country- He is proud to be a South African, and he contributes to the development and transformation of the country. He supports the University of Johannesburg, sponsors bursaries for students, creates jobs and opportunities for local communities, and advocates for the interests of the mining sector and its stakeholders

4. What Are Mike Teke’s Greatest Deeds?

Witness the awe-inspiring accomplishments of this extraordinary individual. His role in the establishment of Optimum Coal, a notable coal mining company is pivotal. Also, thanks to his astute leadership, Optimum Coal achieves a significant milestone by successfully listing on the esteemed Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

With an illustrious career in the mining industry, he holds the honor of assuming the esteemed position of president at not just one, but two highly influential organizations – the Chamber of Mines and Richard Bay Coal Terminal.

He holds the prestigious position of Chief Executive Officer at Seriti Resources. This remarkable company makes significant strides by successfully acquiring highly valuable thermal coal assets from industry giants- Anglo American and South32. Furthermore, Seriti Resources demonstrates exceptional foresight and strategic prowess by securing long-term coal supply agreements with esteemed energy provider, Eskom.

In addition to his notable achievements, he successfully pioneers Seriti Green, an innovative venture which majorly produces renewable energy. With unwavering determination, the company aims to generate an impressive 3.5 GW of clean and sustainable power.

He holds the revered position of chairperson within the renowned Masimong Group, a recognized conglomerate boasting a diverse portfolio encompassing various sectors such as mining, agriculture, and financial services.

As a highly regarded board member at the prestigious University of Johannesburg, he plays a pivotal role in fostering both the academic and social growth of the institution.

5. What Has Mike Teke Faced as Challenges?

Just like you, Mike Teke has his own fair share of challenges. These include:

  • Poverty and hunger as a child, growing up in a township without parents. Visualize him eating pap and vegetables, and sometimes going without food.

  • Discrimination and oppression under the apartheid regime, which limited his opportunities and rights as a Black person. Celebrate him for his different strategies in overcoming many barriers and prejudices to pursue his education and career.

  • Competition and hostility from other players in the mining industry, especially after co-founding Optimum Coal and challenging the dominance of Anglo-Americans. You can’t imagine the legal battles, political pressures, and market fluctuations he faces.

  • Uncertainty and risk upon acquiring the thermal coal assets of Anglo American and South 32, facing environmental and social challenges. Picture him securing financing, negotiating contracts, and managing operations in a complex and volatile.

  • Transition and transformation as he moves from coal mining to renewable energy, in response to the global climate change agenda. He has to adapt to new technologies, regulations, and customer demands while maintaining his coal business.

6. What Keeps Mike Teke Motivated?

Some of the things that keep him motivated to keep doing what he is doing and more are:

  • His ambition. He has the vision to become as big as Anglo American, and he is always looking for new opportunities and challenges to grow his business and impact.

  • His passion. He loves mining and energy, and he believes that coal still has a future, despite the environmental and social pressures. He is also excited about renewable energy, and he wants to be part of the green transition.

  • His purpose: He wants to make a difference in his country and his continent, by contributing to the development and transformation of the mining and energy sector. He also wants to empower and uplift the people and communities around him

  • His family: He values his family, both his biological and his extended family of employees and partners. He wants to provide for them, support them, and make them proud.

7. Why Is Mike Teke Such a Role Model?

Mike Teke
Mike Teke is a Role Model
Is Mike Teke a role model? Yes, an esteemed one at that! Bestow upon him the designation of a role model due to his extraordinary aptitude in overcoming challenges and adversities, showcasing an unwavering dedication towards attaining his goals with the utmost integrity and unwavering excellence.

He is a true source of inspiration for you, particularly if you share a similar humble upbringing as his own. In addition to his impressive accomplishments, he also serves as a mentor and a guiding force for numerous aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders not only in South Africa but also on a global scale.

He exemplifies the pinnacle of achievement, demonstrating how to achieve exceptional results through steadfast dedication, persistent endeavors, steadfast ethical values, and an unyielding pursuit of excellence.

8. What Is Mike Teke Currently Working On?

At present, he diligently engages himself in these ongoing projects:

  • Establishment of Seriti Green, a visionary player in the renewable energy sector, a cutting-edge 155-megawatt wind farm in the picturesque region of Mpumalanga. This state-of-the-art facility is set to revolutionise the renewable energy landscape, harnessing the power of the wind to generate clean and sustainable electricity. With a firm commitment to environmental stewardship and a passion for driving the transition towards a greener future, Witness the future where Seriti Green makes a significant impact in the realm of renewable energy. This highly anticipated wind farm project, with an estimated cost of R4 billion ($235 Million), promises to make a significant impact on the energy landscape. Set to be operational by 2025, this ambitious endeavor aims to harness the power of wind and seamlessly integrate it into the national grid. The 900-MW renewable energy cluster, which is currently in the planning phase, is set for establishment in the heartland of the country’s coal industry.

  • Development of renewable energy projects together with Exxaro and Eskom, a commendable endeavor to reduce significantly their carbon footprint across their operations. By embracing sustainable energy sources, these industry leaders take proactive steps towards a greener future. The primary objective of his endeavors is to simultaneously accomplish two crucial goals: reducing carbon emissions and achieving substantial cost savings in the generation and utilization of electricity within his mining operations. With a clear and resolute objective in mind, he plans to make a significant impact on his company’s environmental impact by slashing its carbon footprint by approximately 50%.

  • Acquisition of Windlab Africa, which marks a significant milestone for the renewable energy sector. Windlab Africa, a renowned company, boasts an impressive portfolio consisting of six wind and four solar energy projects located in the resource-rich regions of Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape. This acquisition not only strengthens the company’s foothold in the renewable energy market but also positions it as a key player in the pursuit of sustainable and clean energy solutions. With this strategic acquisition, Seriti Green moves to gain a significant advantage in the realm of renewable energy. By securing access to an impressive portfolio of 4,000 MW worth of renewable energy projects, Seriti Green is set to fortify its expansion efforts and solidify its commitment to a sustainable energy transition. This move not only enhances Seriti Green’s position in the market but also underscores its dedication to driving positive change in the energy sector.

9. What Could Slow Mike Teke Down?

Mike Teke is a great man however he has his breaking limits. Some of the things that have the possibility to slow him down are:

  • The environmental and social pressures on the coal industry have tendencies to affect his business profitability, his reputation, and access to finance. Expect to see him face legal, regulatory, and market challenges as the world moves towards a low-carbon economy.

  • The competition and hostility from other players in the mining and energy sector, especially those who see him as a threat or a rival. Picture him dealing with conflicts, disputes, and sabotage from his competitors.

  • The uncertainty and risk of the evolving and developing renewable energy sector. Consider his need to adapt to new technologies, regulations, and customer demands while facing technical, financial, and operational challenges

10. What Can You Learn From Mike Teke?

Mike’s experiences and lifestyle is an open inspirational book. Learn from him:

  • How to overcome challenges and adversities with resilience, courage, and determination. Mike is an example of how to rise from poverty and oppression to success and influence, by working hard, pursuing passion, and overcoming obstacles.

  • How to achieve goals with integrity and excellence. He models how to create value and impact for your businesses, customers, employees, partners, and communities by upholding values of integrity, respect, leadership, and work ethic.

  • How to adapt and innovate in a changing environment. Read about his transition from coal mining to renewable energy by embracing new opportunities and challenges, and by learning new skills and technologies.

  • How to empower and uplift others. Mike illustrates how to mentor and inspire young leaders and entrepreneurs, by sharing his knowledge and experience, and by supporting their development and growth. Look at his contributions to the social and educational sector, by sponsoring bursaries for students, creating jobs and opportunities for local communities, and supporting the University of Johannesburg, and draw inspiration.

Pro Tips

See these pro tips on Mike Teke:

  • Follow your passion. Mike Teke loves mining and energy, and he pursues his career in this sector with enthusiasm and dedication, thus exploring new avenues of renewable energy, which he finds exciting and rewarding.

  • Be ambitious. Mike Teke has the vision to become as big as Anglo-American, and he always looks for new opportunities and challenges to grow his business and impact. He does not settle for less but strives for more.

  • Be humble. Mike Teke does not forget his humble beginnings, and he does not let his success get to his head. He treats everyone with respect, regardless of background, position, or opinion. He also values his family, both his biological and his extended family of employees and partners.

  • Be generous. Mike Teke does not keep his wealth and influence to himself but shares it with others. He mentors and empowers young leaders and entrepreneurs, sponsors bursaries for students, creates jobs and opportunities for local communities, and supports the University of Johannesburg.

Summary

Mike Teke serves as a notable illustration of the potential accomplishments to attain through perseverance, foresight, and an unyielding commitment to social accountability. His journey serves as a source of inspiration and encourages you to envision ambitious goals, surmount challenges, and pursue exceptional performance, all the while making a positive difference in the lives of those around you.

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