Theolan Govender

Theolan Govender, the regional manager for Afrisam in KwaZulu-Natal, has a background rooted in Isipingo, south of Durban. His journey began at local schools before he moved on to Thomas Moore College in Kloof thereafter matriculating at Isipingo Secondary School in 1998.

Theolan pursued a national diploma at the Durban University of Technology (formerly Natal Technicon), which was a crucial stepping stone in his career, where he gained technical expertise. He then completed in-service training at South African Breweries, sharpening his practical skills in a real- world setting.

Theolan’s career officially began with a building admin- istrative position at Holcim (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd in Johannesburg. He quickly took on responsibilities in facilities management, a role that involved stakeholder engagement, safety oversight, project management and extensive networking with various teams. Reflecting on this foundational experience, Theolan remarked, “This job was the building block in terms of where I am today, simply because it was part of my passion to work with people on the ground.”

His performance at Holcim did not go unnoticed. Within just two years, Theolan was recognised with the ‘Holcim Best Employee’ award, a testament to his hard work and determination. This accolade led to his transition into a project engineer role at Holcim in 2007, where he continued to build his expertise in engineering and management. By 2012, Theolan had risen to the position of regional engineering manager for the aggregates and ready-mix business units, thereafter being promoted to national engineering manager, overseeing engineering activities on all operations across the country.

Recognising the importance of continuous learning, Theolan pursued further education while advancing in his career. He completed a Bachelor of Technology degree in 2015, which enabled him to register as a Professional Engineering Technologist with the Engineering Council of South Africa. His academic journey did not stop there, as he later earned a Master’s in Business Administration, equipping him with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of business management.
This degree he reflected was a big accomplishment as when he and his wife completed their MBAs cum laude, their children were one and three years old. He said, “This effectively taught us to manage life situations, but still meet academic and work expectations.” Currently, Theolan is completing his doctoral studies, aiming to contribute to the field of leadership and talent management.

LEADERSHIP AND VISION
In his current role as regional manager for KwaZulu- Natal, Theolan oversees all aggregates and ready-mix operations. His responsibilities are extensive, includ- ing managing profit and loss, implementing business strategies to sustain and grow the company, whilst ensuring compliance to stringent safety regulations. His role also involves close collaboration with govern- ment entities managing compliance activities. “Lead- ing and managing our people in KwaZulu-Natal to achieve both development and business objectives are significant but crucial parts of my role,” Theolan shared, highlighting his commitment to both organ- isational success and employee development.

Theolan’s leadership style is deeply influenced by advice that has guided him throughout his career: “Hold yourself responsible for higher standards than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself and be lenient to everyone else.” This philosophy has shaped Theolan into a transform- ational leader who believes in leading with influence, allowing his team to take ownership of their processes and goals. He emphasises the importance of setting clear expectations, providing support, and fostering an environment where team members feel empowered to contribute and excel.

From a business perspective, Theolan takes great pride in the development of employee skills, par- ticularly during challenging economic times. “To have realised the implementation of a development strategy and reaping the positive effects on our employees ... makes me the proudest,” he stated, underscoring his commitment to nurturing talent and creating opportunities for growth within the organisation.

CHALLENGES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK
Theolan’s journey has not been without its challenges. The economic downturn, compounded by pandemic- related issues, loadshedding, illegal mining and the complexities related to licence to operate, have placed significant pressure on the construction materials industry. Despite these challenges, Theolan remains focused on motivating his team and driving performance. “My formula for team motivation lies in six areas,” Theolan explained, detailing the importance of understanding roles, developing actionable plans, assisting with challenges, having the crucial conversations, aligning team development goals, and cele- brating both successes and failures.

Theolan draws inspiration from the resilience of people during economic hardships, finding moti- vation in their ability to persevere despite adversity. This inspiration drives his doctoral research, which aims to improve the relationship between employer and employee. “The outcomes of this study will assist in developing a transformational leadership model for talent management and psychological contract for South African construction materials companies,” he noted.

Looking ahead, Theolan is optimistic about the future of business in KwaZulu-Natal. With the region experiencing a significant increase in employment within the construction industry, he believes that the next decade will remain busy with infrastructure projects, offering ample opportunities for growth and development. “My thoughts are that KwaZulu-Natal is currently the region to be in for many skills and trades,” he said, emphasising the importance of managing operations effectively, improving bottom-line per- formance, and investing in responsible expansion.

Theolan also highlights the need for continuous improvement and adaptability in the face of changing market conditions. He is focused on devel- oping strategies that will ensure the long-term success of his business units, while also contributing to the broader economic development of the region.

In closing, Theolan shared his personal motto, inspired by Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” This philosophy underscores his approach to leadership and his commitment to persevering through challenges, both personal and professional. “Even though we fail at times, the sun will shine at the end,” he concluded.