Pinagare Mogodi has risen from humble beginnings to build a business from scratch. His success story is even more remarkable when one considers how he overcame significant challenges, including a period of substantial debt while maintaining his vision, determination, resilience, and innovative spirit to succeed in the highly competitive mining and construction industries. As CEO, MD, and Founder of Matsapa-A-Botshelo (MAB), Pinagare is driven by the opportunity to create meaningful impact, not only within the company but also in the communities they serve.
For him, success is about building something that not only generates profit but also creates opportunities for others and makes a positive impact on the community.
He has always been motivated by the idea of building something that lasts—a legacy that empowers others, provides jobs, and drives economic growth. “From the early days of MAB, it was about more than just making profits,” Pinagare says, “it was about making a difference, whether through supporting charitable foundations or contributing to infrastructure development through our mining and construction projects.”
From Humble Beginning to Successful Entrepreneurship
Pinagare grew up in a humble, underprivileged environment. Despite facing financial constraints as the only son raised by a single parent, he always remained steadfast in his pursuit of building a successful company and alleviating financial burdens for his family.
His uncle, Ignatius Oupa Mphomane, a businessman, had a deep influence on Pinagare. “He not only became my father figure but also taught me valuable business principles and ethics that shaped my entrepreneurial spirit,” Pinagare recalls.
It was his uncle’s influence that played a key role in Pinagare’s decision to pursue a career in the mining and construction industries during his high school and university years. “Witnessing his achievements and hard work ignited my passion for business, especially in industries like mining and construction, which I saw as key sectors that could provide for my family and create jobs,” he shares.
Pinagare’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2010, coinciding with his second year of university. The next major turning point in his career came after he experienced significant challenges, including dropping out of university and facing over R50 million in debt during the COVID-19 pandemic. These hardships tested his resolve, but they also reinforced his belief in resilience and perseverance. He realized that mining and construction had the potential to rebuild not only his company but also the economy.
“The lessons I learned from my uncle, combined with the realization that success requires both internal awareness and relentless work, fuelled my determination to grow MAB Group into a respected name in these industries,” Pinagare says.
Encountering Challenges and Lessons Learned
Over the years, Pinagare has encountered numerous challenges, many of which have shaped him into the leader he is today.
The COVID-19 pandemic months were especially challenging for Pinagare. The crisis hit the construction industry hard, leading to significant financial strain and setbacks for him and his business. “At MAB, we faced project delays, retrenchments, and mounting debts that reached over R50 million,” he recalls. “During this period, I also went through a divorce, which compounded the stress and made me question whether I could continue.”
To overcome these challenges, he reconnected with his purpose and inner strength. During a moment of clarity, he realized that he had to get back to the fundamentals of building his business. So, Pinagare prayed, restructured the company, and focused on strategic partnerships that could help them recover.
“It wasn’t an easy path, but I stayed persistent,” he says. “Through hard work and a strong team, MAB was able to secure new contracts, including billion-rand deals for coal exports,” From this turnaround, he learned the power of resilience and the importance of trusting the process, even during the darkest times. Pinagare also considers this turnabout as the proudest achievement of his career.
“It reminded me that leadership isn’t just about steering a company through good times but navigating crises with integrity, strength, and optimism,” he says. “This achievement reshaped my leadership style, making me more empathetic, adaptable, and focused on long-term vision rather than short-term setbacks.”
Another major challenge he encountered was in the form of a large amount of debt. He accumulated this debt during the early stages of building MAB. Pinagare recalls that he took on ambitious projects, and there were times when he feared he wouldn’t be able to recover financially. But instead of giving up, he focused on renegotiating terms with creditors and finding new revenue streams. “The ability to stay calm under pressure and make tough decisions was critical in pulling us out of those difficult times,” he says.
For Pinagare, a significant personal challenge was maintaining a work-life balance, especially after becoming the Managing Director of MAB. “I used to dedicate every waking moment to the business, which strained personal relationships and my mental health,” he shares. However, over time, he learned to delegate more responsibilities to trusted team members and set boundaries so he could invest in his personal life, which helped him recharge and maintain long-term focus on the company’s goals.
“Ultimately, overcoming these challenges came down to perseverance, having faith in the vision I had for MAB, and understanding that success is a process of constantly learning, adapting, and evolving,” Pinagare says. For him, each challenge has brought with it a valuable lesson, which he continues to apply as he leads the company through new opportunities and future growth.
Responsibilities of a Managing Director
As Managing Director of Matsapa-A-Botshelo (MAB), Pinagare’s day-to-day responsibilities are centered around steering the company toward its strategic goals, in addition to ensuring smooth operations across all departments. He focuses on a balance between high-level decision-making and hands-on leadership. This influences the overall vision of growing MAB into a leading player in the mining, construction, and logistics industries.
According to Pinagare, some of his core responsibilities include:
- Strategic Planning and Decision-Making: Every day involves reviewing ongoing projects, assessing market trends, and identifying new business opportunities. This ensures MAB remains competitive and aligned with our long-term goals, such as their current expansion into coal exports and the opening of new mines and a wash plant. Pinagare also keeps a close eye on economic and political developments, especially with the changes in South Africa’s mining policies, to position MAB for future growth.
- Overseeing Operations and Projects: He oversees the company’s key projects, ensuring they stay on track. With experienced project managers and metallurgy engineers leading on-site operations, he focuses on removing bottlenecks, providing resources, and ensuring our coal and chrome mining projects are executed efficiently. These day-to-day decisions contribute to achieving their goal of expanding their export capacities and solidifying MAB’s presence in the mining industry.
- Financial Oversight: Pinagare is also actively involved in financial planning, managing budgets, and ensuring that cash flow is optimized for the company’s ongoing and upcoming projects. Reviewing financial reports and discussing investment opportunities with stakeholders is a key part of his daily routine. Given the high stakes of billion-dollar contracts in the coal export business, this aspect is critical for the sustainability and profitability of MAB.
- Client and Partner Relations: He is also responsible for maintaining close relationships with their clients, partners, and investors. He meets coal and commodity clients and negotiates terms with vendors and contractors. According to Pinagare, this is especially important for large contracts like the coal export deal, where building trust and clear communication is vital.
- Team Leadership and Development: He mentors his team and is actively involved in building a strong organizational culture. Since MAB’s success is rooted in the expertise of their project managers and engineers, Pinagare prioritizes empowering them to take ownership of their roles. He ensures a collaborative environment where everyone’s contributions drive the company forward. By investing in his team, Pinagare ensures that MAB continues to operate with a high standard of excellence.
- Crisis Management and Problem-Solving: Whether it’s dealing with unexpected project delays, market fluctuations, or logistical issues, Pinagare is often called upon to make quick decisions. He explains that this requires a calm, focused mindset to resolve issues while keeping the bigger picture in mind. By addressing these challenges effectively, he helps MAB stay resilient and adaptable to changing circumstances.
“Ultimately, my daily responsibilities are driven by the vision of growing MAB into a leading name in South Africa’s mining and construction sectors while staying true to our core values of integrity, resilience, and community empowerment,” Pinagare says.
Goals for Matsapa-A-Botshelo
Pingagare’s goals for Matsapa-A-Botshelo (MAB) over the next five years are centered on growth, diversification, and social impact. He provides a breakdown of those key objectives and how he plans to achieve them:
Expanding Mining Operations:
- Goal: Successfully complete the ongoing coal and chrome mining projects and further expand their mining footprint across Southern Africa.
- Strategy: Leverage partnerships with key stakeholders, invest in state-of-the-art mining technology, and strengthen relationships with regulatory bodies and port authorities to streamline export operations.
New Wash Plant Development:
- Goal: Build and operationalize a new coal and chrome wash plant by 2025.
- Strategy: Secure financing for the project, manage it with the experienced MAB team, and implement best practices to ensure efficiency and sustainability in the plant’s operations.
Diversifying into Renewable Energy:
- Goal: Enter the renewable energy sector by developing solar and wind projects.
- Strategy: Partner with experts in renewable technologies, explore government and international funding opportunities, and incorporate sustainable practices into MAB’s portfolio to capitalize on the global green energy shift.
Growing Real Estate and Construction Portfolio:
- Goal: Increase MAB’s presence in real estate development, particularly in affordable housing and commercial properties.
- Strategy: Collaborate with local governments and private developers to identify high-potential projects, focusing on addressing the housing shortage while incorporating sustainable building techniques.
Building a Stronger Logistics Division:
- Goal: Expand MAB’s logistics capabilities, particularly in trucking and transportation, to support their mining and construction operations.
- Strategy: Invest in a larger, more efficient fleet, develop new logistics partnerships, and optimize the supply chain for improved delivery times and cost savings.
Creating Job Opportunities and Empowering Communities:
- Goal: Create thousands of new jobs and give back to communities through education, housing, and social programs.
- Strategy: Partner with local communities for workforce development, provide training programs, and maintain our commitment to funding social initiatives, including housing and education for orphans and the elderly.
Strengthening Brand and Market Positioning:
- Goal: Position MAB as a leading player not only in mining but also in construction, logistics, and energy across Africa.
- Strategy: Enhance marketing efforts, build strategic partnerships across different sectors, and invest in public relations to promote our projects, achievements, and corporate social responsibility.
“Achieving these goals will require sustained focus on innovation, agility, and leadership while ensuring that MAB stays true to its values of integrity, perseverance, and community impact,” Pinagare says.
Lasting Impact on Future Generations
Pinagare believes his work at Matsapa-A-Botshelo (MAB) will have a lasting impact on future generations in Africa, especially in the mining and construction sectors, through several key areas:
- Job Creation and Economic Growth: MAB’s expansion creates sustainable employment, reducing unemployment and uplifting communities, contributing to Africa’s long-term economic prosperity.
- Skills Development and Education: Under Pinagare’s leadership, the company invests in local talent and equips young professionals with specialized skills and leadership, ensuring the next generation is ready to drive Africa’s industrial growth.
- Sustainability and Responsible Mining: MAB prioritizes sustainable mining practices, reducing environmental impact and ensuring future generations inherit a healthier planet.
- Infrastructure Development: By building critical infrastructure, the company enables economic activity and long-term progress, laying the foundation for future prosperity in Africa.
- Empowering Entrepreneurs: MAB’s success showcases the potential of black-owned businesses and inspires future African entrepreneurs to break barriers in historically dominated industries.
- Community Development and Philanthropy: The company gives back through housing, education, and charity, ensuring future generations have access to better opportunities and well-being.
“By continuing these efforts, we ensure that future generations in Africa will have access to the resources they need to grow and thrive,” Pinagare says. “Overall, I see MAB’s work as laying the groundwork for a prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive future in Africa.”
Message to Aspiring Leaders
Building a strong foundation is Pinagare’s first piece of advice to aspiring leaders in the mining or construction industries. He advises them to develop a solid technical understanding of the field. “Knowledge in areas like engineering, project management, environmental sustainability, and financial management will serve you well as you climb the ladder,” he says.
Pinagare also stresses the importance of continuous learning, as the mining and construction industries are constantly evolving with new technologies, methods, and regulations. Moreover, he says that both industries present significant challenges, from market volatility to complex logistical problems. Therefore, success requires persistence, he tells aspiring leaders. “There’ll be setbacks, but those who remain determined and adaptable are the ones who ultimately thrive,” he adds. “Resilience in the face of adversity will set you apart as a leader.”
He also highlights the need for forward-thinking to stand out as a leader. “Look for innovative solutions to existing problems, whether it’s sustainability, efficiency, or technology adoption,” he says.
“And, as you grow in your career, remember to give back by mentoring the next generation of professionals,” Pinagare adds.
