What does Women’s month mean to you?
Women’s Month in South Africa provides us with an opportunity to pay tribute to the generations of women before us whose struggles laid the foundations for the progress made in empowering and uplifting women as well as achieving gender equality to date. While we officially celebrate the resilience and strength of women and their mammoth contribution to society and our country in August of each year, this is a daily celebration for me. My personal and professional life experience has been positively impacted by various women who have paved the way for my intellectual progress. I AM because they ARE!
Give a summary of your career path?
My career started in 1996 with a global logistics company where I gained experience in Finance, Sales and Customer Service. The Finance Manager and the Commercial Manager (both women) were my mentors and encouraged me to grow and develop. I was fortunate to join another global company in the facilities sector in 2004, where I managed business units in various divisions. My direct manager and the Commercial Director (both women) were instrumental in my success and progress at this organisation. In 2013, I joined an Integrated Facilities Management company where I ran business units for four years, then moved to a national role with them in the last four years of my career. From my first to my last day at this organisation, the Head of People Management (a woman) played a pivotal role in my success and growth. In 2021 two women approached me to join Bidvest Prestige. I am eternally grateful for this opportunity and look forward to a long and successful career with the Bidvest Group. I am eternally thankful to all the women who have paved the way for my professional career.
Why Bidvest? What sets it apart from the rest?
Bidvest is a great company to work for (I have been here for eight months). With over 120,000 employees globally, the people create the culture, and the entrepreneurial spirit drives the Group’s growth. The company’s values of Respect, Honesty, Integrity and Accountability drive our moral compass. Bidvest presents opportunities for growth and development for colleagues with the passion, determination and hunger to succeed. People are core to the success of the Group; therefore, several sustainable initiatives on development, recognition and retention are employed.
What do you enjoy about your career?
I am grateful to meet with people from all walks of life. In my career, I enjoy interacting with customers and co-creating solutions that ultimately improve their value proposition. Being part of a value chain with our suppliers that deliver on our customer’s needs is key to our success. The most exciting part of my career is investing in my team’s success and seeing colleagues grow and exceed their personal and professional goals.
Do you have a quote that you live by?
“I am grateful for the lessons from the Past – I am deliberate and mindful about the Present – I look forward to the future with hope.”
What tips or advice would you give any woman trying to create a work-life balance?
I am an advocate of Life-Harmony instead of work-life balance. Let me explain: As women (and men) we will always have numerous demands in our lives, ours is to prioritise the critical demand at any given time it will be unfortunately at the expense of other areas in your life. For example, if you are studying, you will spend an enormous amount of time in classes and you will need to put the effort and time required to pass. Communication with your family and your employer prior to embarking on your studies to highlight the amount of time this will take and the support you will require during this limited period will ensure harmony in the home and work front.