Winding engine driver salary data in South Africa comes mainly from job adverts, because no salary survey reviewed publishes the occupation. A Free State advert posted on 10 November 2026 offered R50,000 to R70,000 per month. A Gauteng advert offered R800,000 to R900,000 per year, equivalent to about R66,667 to R75,000 monthly. Wesizwe Platinum’s and Assmang’s recent adverts stated no salary. Indeed’s general driver category averages R7,056 per month but does not cover winding engine drivers. Treat these figures as advertised ranges, not verified averages.
A winding engine driver operates the hoist that raises and lowers people, materials and ore in a mine shaft. The work carries serious safety responsibility.
Winding engine drivers work at mines, including platinum and manganese operations. Many posts involve shift work, overtime and standby duty.
The role differs from an onsetter or banksman, who loads and signals conveyances, and from a winder fitter, who maintains the equipment.
Key takeaways
- Free State advert: R50,000 to R70,000 per month, posted by a recruiter on 10 November 2026.
- Gauteng advert: R800,000 to R900,000 per year, or about R66,667 to R75,000 per month, posted through Hire Resolve in October 2026.
- Annual equivalents: The Free State range equals R600,000 to R840,000 per year, calculated.
- Salary transparency: The Wesizwe Platinum and Assmang adverts reviewed stated no salary.
- Certification: Adverts require a valid winding engine driver certificate of competency and often an onsetter or banksman certificate.
- Experience: Requirements range from one to two years to five years of winding experience.
- Regulation: Adverts refer to Chapter 16 of the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996.
- Data gaps: No survey average, verified city-level figure or senior driver salary could be established.
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What is the average winding engine driver salary in South Africa?
No source reviewed publishes a verified average for winding engine drivers.
The most useful benchmarks are salaries stated in adverts. A Free State advert posted on Job Mail on 10 November 2026 offered R50,000 to R70,000 per month.
That is equivalent to R600,000 to R840,000 per year, calculated.
A Hire Resolve advert for a post in Gauteng offered R800,000 to R900,000 per year, equivalent to about R66,667 to R75,000 per month. The same range appeared in a 2024 advert for a permanent post.
Both adverts came from recruitment agencies on behalf of unnamed clients. They show what recruiters advertised, not what drivers earn on average.
Many mine adverts state no salary. Assmang’s Black Rock Mine Operations advert listed a Paterson grade of C2 without a rand figure, and Wesizwe Platinum’s advert gave none.
Indeed’s winding engine driver page shows data for drivers in general. That reports R7,056 per month from 772 salaries, covering all kinds of driving work, so it is not used as a benchmark.
Winding engine driver salary comparison
| Salary benchmark | Monthly salary | Annual equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Winding engine driver, Free State advert (November 2026), lower end | R50,000 | R600,000 |
| Winding engine driver, Free State advert (November 2026), upper end | R70,000 | R840,000 |
| Winding engine driver, Gauteng advert (October 2026), lower end | R66,667 | R800,000 |
| Winding engine driver, Gauteng advert (October 2026), upper end | R75,000 | R900,000 |
Source: Job Mail (Bridge Personnel Concepts) and Hire Resolve adverts, 2026.
Where an advert states an annual amount, the monthly figure is calculated by dividing by 12. Where it states a monthly amount, the annual figure is calculated by multiplying by 12.
The Gauteng advert did not state its period in the October 2026 listing, but a 2024 version of the same advert stated per annum. This guide treats it as annual.
Winding engine driver salary by experience
Newly qualified winding engine driver salary
The Free State advert asked for one to two years of experience, or proof of competence for newly qualified drivers.
It stated a single range of R50,000 to R70,000 per month. It did not separate pay by experience.
Experienced winding engine driver salary
The Hire Resolve advert required at least three years of experience and described the post as mid to senior. It offered R800,000 to R900,000 per year.
Assmang’s Black Rock advert also asked for three years of experience but stated only a Paterson grade of C2.
Senior winding engine driver salary
Wesizwe Platinum’s advert asked for at least five years of winding engine plant experience and a supervisory certificate as an advantage. It stated no salary.
There is insufficient reliable data to establish a senior winding engine driver average.
Winding engine driver coordinator salary
Wesizwe’s advert says the driver reports to a winding engine driver coordinator. No salary data for coordinators was found.
Winding engine driver salary by location
Winding engine drivers work at mines in several provinces. Recent adverts came from Gauteng, the Free State, the North West and the Northern Cape.
No city-level salary data was found. Pay depends on the mine and employer.
Johannesburg and Gauteng winding engine driver salary
Hire Resolve advertised a Gauteng post at R800,000 to R900,000 per year, listed under Johannesburg.
Free State winding engine driver salary
A recruiter advertised a Free State post at R50,000 to R70,000 per month.
North West winding engine driver salary
Wesizwe Platinum’s Bakubung mine near Rustenburg advertised a permanent post in May 2026 without a salary. Implats also has a North West listing that states no salary.
Northern Cape winding engine driver salary
Assmang advertised a post at Black Rock Mine Operations in the Northern Cape at Paterson grade C2. No rand amount was stated.
What does a winding engine driver do?
A winding engine driver moves people and materials safely through the shaft.
Duties in recent adverts include:
- Operating the winder to hoist and lower people, materials and ore.
- Following the Mine Health and Safety Act and site procedures.
- Carrying out daily inspections and safety checks on the winder.
- Carrying out trial runs of the winding plant.
- Following the winding plant signalling arrangements.
- Resetting the automatic hoist after trip-outs.
- Recording machine conditions in the driver’s logbook.
- Listing stoppages, call-outs and their reasons.
- Maintaining legal registers.
- Reporting faults, hazards and incidents promptly.
- Operating the winder during shaft and conveyance maintenance.
- Keeping the winder cabin clean and orderly.
Duties differ between man and material winders, ore winders and stage winders.
Types of winding engine driver careers
Man and material winding engine driver
These drivers convey people and materials. Wesizwe’s advert describes operating man and material winders and stage winders.
Ore winding engine driver
Ore winders haul rock to surface. Assmang’s advert covers ore, persons, explosives and materials.
Senior winding engine driver
Senior drivers carry more experience and may supervise or train others. Adverts ask for three to five years of experience.
Winding engine driver coordinator
Coordinators oversee drivers and winding operations. No verified salary data was found.
Related careers
Onsetters, banksmen and shaft and winder fitters work around the winder. Their qualifications and pay are separate.
What qualifications do you need to become a winding engine driver?
Mines require certification and experience. Adverts state the requirements clearly.
Education
Adverts require Grade 12. The Free State advert also asked for a National Certificate at NQF Level 4.
Winding engine driver certificate of competency
Adverts require a valid winding engine driver certificate. The Free State advert asked for one recognised by the Department of Mineral Resources and a record of driving a winder as an appointed driver within the last two years.
Onsetter or banksman certificate
The Free State and Wesizwe adverts required an onsetter or banksman certificate. It is an employer requirement in those adverts.
Experience
Requirements ranged from one to two years of experience for the Free State post to five years of winding engine plant experience at Wesizwe.
Medical fitness and screening
The Free State advert required medical fitness for the work area and a clear security screening record. It also mentioned overtime and standby schedules.
Other requirements
Assmang asked for a valid driver’s licence. Wesizwe listed a supervisory certificate as an advantage.
Legal framework
Wesizwe’s advert cites Chapter 16 regulations under the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996. This guide did not verify the regulation text or the certificate examination process.
What affects winding engine driver salary?
Certification and appointment status
A valid certificate and recent experience as an appointed driver are conditions of the posts reviewed.
Experience
Adverts ask for one to five years. Whether this changes pay depends on the employer.
Employer and grading
Assmang’s advert uses a Paterson grade of C2. Recruiter adverts state ranges set by unnamed clients.
Overtime and standby duty
The Free State advert refers to overtime and standby schedules. Compare basic pay with total remuneration.
Contract type
Wesizwe’s post and the 2024 Hire Resolve post were permanent. Contract length affects job security and benefits.
Location
Pay may vary between provinces and mines. No source quantified the difference.
How to increase your winding engine driver salary
Keep your certificate and appointment valid
Adverts require a valid certificate and recent experience as an appointed driver.
Gain experience on different machines
The Free State advert asked for experience on AC and DC machines.
Add onsetter and supervisory certificates
Onsetter certificates are required in some adverts, and a supervisory certificate is an advantage at Wesizwe.
Build a clean safety and logbook record
Accurate registers and a good safety record support appointments to senior posts.
Compare total remuneration
Weigh basic pay, overtime, standby and benefits across offers.
What employers should know
Employers should verify certificate validity, appointed driver experience and medical fitness before appointing a winding engine driver.
Adverts should state the salary or Paterson grade, overtime arrangements and shift patterns.
Because published data is sparse, benchmarking should compare several recent adverts.
What employees should know
Confirm whether an advertised figure is basic pay, total cost to company or an annual package.
Ask about overtime, standby duty and shift rosters.
Check whether a recruiter’s advertised range matches the mine’s own grading before accepting an offer.
FAQ: winding engine driver salary
How much does a winding engine driver earn in South Africa?
No verified average exists. A Free State advert offered R50,000 to R70,000 per month, and a Gauteng advert offered R800,000 to R900,000 per year. Many mine adverts state no salary, so treat these as advertised ranges.
What is the average winding engine driver salary per month?
No verified average exists. The Free State advert offered R50,000 to R70,000 per month, and the Gauteng advert equals about R66,667 to R75,000 per month. Indeed’s general driver figure is not for winding engine drivers.
What is the average winding engine driver salary per year?
No verified average exists. The Free State range equals R600,000 to R840,000 per year, calculated, and the Gauteng advert offered R800,000 to R900,000. Both came from recruiters acting for unnamed clients.
What is the starting salary for a winding engine driver?
A verified starting salary could not be established. The Free State advert accepted one to two years of experience, or proof of competence for newly qualified drivers, and offered R50,000 to R70,000 per month.
How much does a senior winding engine driver earn?
The Gauteng advert offered R800,000 to R900,000 per year for a driver with at least three years of experience. Wesizwe asked for five years but stated no salary. No verified senior average exists.
How much does a winding engine driver earn in different provinces?
Recent adverts came from Gauteng, the Free State, the North West and the Northern Cape, but only the Gauteng and Free State adverts stated pay. No reliable provincial or city comparison exists.
What qualifications do you need to become a winding engine driver?
Adverts require Grade 12, a valid winding engine driver certificate of competency, often an onsetter or banksman certificate, medical fitness and one to five years of experience. Some ask for NQF Level 4.
Is a winding engine driver the same as a locomotive driver?
No. A winding engine driver operates a mine shaft hoist under the Mine Health and Safety Act, while a locomotive driver operates trains. Their qualifications and pay are separate, so benchmark each against its own data.
Do winding engine drivers work overtime or standby?
The Free State advert mentioned overtime and standby schedules, and the Gauteng advert mentioned rotating shifts and weekends. Confirm how overtime and standby are paid before accepting a post.
Is winding engine driving a good career in South Africa?
Advertised pay is substantial, but the role carries heavy safety responsibility and requires a certificate and experience. Posts are limited to mines, and many adverts do not state salaries.
Sources
- Job Mail, Winding Engine Driver (Bridge Personnel Concepts), Free State, 10 November 2026
https://www.jobmail.co.za/jobs/building-construction-mining/mining/south-africa/winding-engine-driver-id-7490526 - Hire Resolve, Winding Engine Driver (Gauteng), October 2026
https://hireresolve.co.za/job/winding-engine-driver/ - JVR Jobs, Johannesburg Winding Engine Driver posted by Hire Resolve, October 2026
https://jvrjobs.co.za/johannesburg-winding-engine-driver-posted-by-hire-resolve/ - Hire Resolve, Winding Engine Driver (Johannesburg), May 2024
https://hireresolve.simplify.hr/vacancy/11z6ap - Assmang Black Rock Mine Operations, Winding Engine Driver vacancy, February 2025
https://arm.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Winding-Engine-Driver.pdf - Wesizwe Platinum, Winding Engine Driver re-advertisement, Bakubung Platinum Mine, May 2026
https://wesizwe.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Winding-Engine-Driver.pdf - Indeed South Africa, Driver Salary (winding engine driver page), October 2026
https://za.indeed.com/career/winding-engine-driver/salaries - Pnet, Winder vacancies in North West
https://www.pnet.co.za/results/winder/in-north-west
