From mines to movement: how Thobile Skhosana is redefining worker protection in SA

When Thobile Skhosana founded Itoro Group, she set out to change how South Africa viewed safety.

What began as a deeply personal mission to protect workers in high-risk industries grew into a powerful movement built on protection, productivity, and pride.

“Itoro was born from lived experience,” Skhosana said.

“Working at the mines, I saw how safety was often treated as a tick-box rather than a human need. I witnessed drivers, warehouse staff, engineers, and miners returning home injured or exhausted because their gear was not designed for them, especially women. I wanted to change that. Itoro became my way of saying protection is personal, and every worker deserves to feel safe, valued, and seen.”

That vision has evolved into one of South Africa’s most promising safety-focused enterprises.

Itoro Group, headquartered in Mpumalanga, designs and manufactures personal protective equipment tailored to African conditions and realities. From long-distance truck drivers to warehouse teams and construction crews, each product is made to protect, empower, and perform.

For Skhosana, safety has always been more than compliance.

It is a mindset that fuels excellence.

“Safety gear should empower, not just protect. When workers feel confident in their gear, they work better. Our products convey: you matter, and your safety is worth investing in,” she said.

Having spent years in the logistics sector, Skhosana saw first-hand how ill-fitting protective equipment could cause more harm than good.

“Ill-fitting PPE caused discomfort and accidents,” she said.

“Gloves slipped, boots pinched, and vests were too large to stay in place. Beyond that, safety was treated as someone else’s responsibility. This gap between compliance and care inspired me to start Itoro, building PPE with empathy and precision.”

That empathy-driven approach has helped Itoro redefine what safety means in the workplace.

“ITORO transforms safety from a rule into a culture,” Skhosana told Business Report. 

“We partner with companies to show that PPE is an investment in productivity and morale. Through design, training, and storytelling, we make safety aspirational. Workers wear Itoro with pride; it becomes part of their identity, not just a uniform.”

Central to Itoro’s success is its understanding of African conditions. The company designs PPE for the continent’s heat, dust, and demanding work environments.

“Our PPE is built for African conditions,” Skhosana said.

“We produce boots with breathable, water-resistant materials and reinforced soles for uneven ground. Our gear is ergonomically designed for flexibility during long shifts, and the colours and fabrics reflect visibility and resilience in real work environments.”

For Itoro, being locally made is not just a business decision — it is a declaration of belief in African capability.

“Local design is Itoro's soul,” Skhosana said.

“Africans should not only use PPE but also design and manufacture it. Local production creates jobs, shortens supply chains, and ensures products respond directly to African realities. It demonstrates that world-class quality can come from here.”

Beyond product innovation, the company also focuses on the human side of workplace safety. “PPE alone does not solve fatigue or burnout,” Skhosana said

“Itoro also provides care systems, including driver wellness packs and awareness campaigns on rest and hydration. A healthy, alert worker is a safe worker.”

Balancing business performance with social impact has always been at the heart of her leadership. “Protecting people is not a trade-off; it is a growth strategy,” she said. “Safe employees lead to fewer disruptions, less downtime, and higher morale. Our impact is measured in lives protected and efficiency unlocked.”

Sustainability has become another cornerstone of the company’s operations.

“We are introducing sustainable materials like recycled fabrics and exploring biodegradable boot soles,” she said.

“Supply partnerships follow ethical standards and support local empowerment. Sustainability means protecting both people and the planet.”

Skhosana also believes that small and medium enterprises like Itoro play a crucial role in building safer and more resilient industries.

“SMEs like Itoro are agile and connected to the ground,” she said. “We innovate faster, respond to industry needs, and foster collaboration among local suppliers, designers, and safety trainers, building an ecosystem of shared impact.”

As one of few women leading in a traditionally male-dominated field, Skhosana has faced her share of challenges.

Yet, she believes those challenges have shaped her into the leader she is today. “Leading in a male-dominated industry has been challenging but empowering,” she reflected.

“I’ve learned to lead with empathy and strength, listening deeply while standing firm in my vision. I aim to inspire young women to see that safety, engineering, mining, and logistics are spaces where they belong.”

Looking ahead, Skhosana’s ambitions for Itoro remain deeply tied to purpose and progress.

“In the coming years, ITORO will expand its product range, strengthen industry partnerships, and deepen our presence in logistics, engineering, and mining,” she said.

“Our goal is to be synonymous with trusted, tailor-made PPE designed for Africa. We aim to build a brand that stands for safety, identity, empowerment, and excellence, where every stitch tells a story of purpose and pride.”

BUSINESS REPORT