Dr James Ramakau is a well-known and highly regarded face in the talent management industry who regularly receives invitations to address large audiences of business professionals.

It is 2001 and wide-eyed first year James Ramakau has just arrived on the campus in Vanderbijlpark.

 

He has no idea that he will go on to receive his PhD at only 35 and one day be the senior human resources manager at AngloGold Ashanti.

Years later, this former matriculant from Pele-Ya-Pele Secondary in Lethabo (Viljoensdrift) would be described as an “extraordinary, impeccable character; ever-smiling, always willing to listen and advise”. This is one of the many glowing character references on his professional profile.

 

With such references, it is no wonder that he was recently appointed to the South African Board of Personnel Practice (SABPP). He is also a member of the University of Pretoria Human Resources Management (HRM) and Industrial Psychology Advisory Board.

 

He has worked both hard and smart to be where he is today.

 

Mastering his ABCs

 

By 2004, James had completed his bachelors and honours degrees in organisational psychology. Two years later, he also had a master’s degree in industrial psychology under his belt, all from the North-West University. While studying, he was a proud resident of Vergelegen Residence.

 

He then headed out into the world of work, but continued to improve his skills by finishing a Middle Management Programme in business administration and management in 2010. He obtained his PhD on the subject of happiness in the mining industry in 2014 from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

 

Connect with yourself, then with others

 

James says industrial psychology and human resources practitioners should look at themselves first before attempting to address issues pertaining to human capital management. He believes “intellectual arrogance” is behind many of the shortcomings within the profession, one being the tendency among practitioners to merely offer solutions to organisational challenges instead of making an effective human connection.

 

He advises practitioners to focus on character building, leadership and communication skills, and expanding their worldview. They should also be dutiful and diligent and continuously developing themselves.

 

Closer to home

 

When he is not changing the world of work one day at a time, James enjoys keeping fit and, as a runner, has been taking on 21-km races in his spare time. He is also an avid fan of singer and songwriter Simphiwe Dana and a dedicated father to a beautiful six-year-old daughter.

 

As for the wide-eyed first-years who will be arriving on campus next year, just as he did in 2001, this is his advice to them.

 

“Take time to build your character. We often don’t take the time to shape who we want to be. Decide what your best self would look like, take time to get to know yourself, accept yourself and then apply yourself.”