If you have the passion and the focus, and if you have the dream; you can take yourself to a better level and independence < Back Nozuko Basson Regional Manager for Communities and Corporate Affairs Tronox South Africa Nozuko Basson’s role at Tronox, which is based in northern KZN, entails making sure that the mining company honours its responsibility of creating value for its stakeholders, of which, communities take centre stage. The most significant event in Nozuko’s life is, she says, when she became a mother. “I had my daughter when I was fairly young and from the moment she arrived in this world, I knew that the game had changed. It’s an ambition of mine, that when my daughter is asked who your role model is, she mentions my name.” In ensuring that she is an inspiration to her daughter, Nozuko constantly evaluates how she behaves, how she practices professionalism in the workplace, and how she treats other people. Nozuko believes that she has got to where she is today through hard work, dedication, a lot of praying and the support from many people who have crossed her path. “I’m somebody who is focused on her religion. I’m a Christian and I’ve always believed that everything that I do is enabled by my faith. I started my career as a journalist, but I realised that was not the life that I wanted to live. I’m not a social and out-there type of person, so I moved into public relations. I was fortunate to work for an agency where I had an amazing mentor who helped me in building the capability to understand how media relations works.” From there, Nozuko moved onto one of South Africa’s largest medical insurance organisations, Discovery. Here, Nozuko said, she had mentors who helped guide her through her career. “I’ve been fortunate that I had other people lifting me, guiding me, and making sure that I stayed on the right track. My journey has been difficult; it’s always good to be reminded by those who are ahead of you how to remain positive and confident in what you are doing.” Having courage Nozuko says that her decision to move to KwaZulu-Natal has been an amazing journey that has required her to really stretch herself. This meant going into areas where she thought she would never be able to venture. She added, “Just having the courage to really push myself and push the boundaries for my team members so that we all work towards one single vision. This requires that we stay close to the cause and really live our own personal values, as well as the values of the organisation in which I work right now.” In commenting on the challenges that she has faced, Nozuko says that as a young female professional, the first challenge that she would like to focus on, is the “pull her down syndrome”. “When you, as a female, start rising in your career there are times when other females do everything in their power to pull you down. I have a strong view that if one of us rise, we all rise. It’s hard enough being a young female, let alone being black in the workplace; we need to hold each other up and motivate each other.” The second challenge she has faced is working in the mining industry, which is a male dominated sector. Over that, working within the community, which is also a male led environment that still subscribes to traditional practices has brought a great deal of learning, that has come with its own difficulties. Currently, the third challenge has been dealing with unconventional community issues, that pose a serious risk to Tronox’s public reputation. “This is where the company’s values, procedures and policies need to guide you to deal with the challenges in a manner that does not compromise your role or its reputation,” said Nozuko. “Lastly, I have often found myself feeling not quite welcome around the ‘table’, as if I am a token BEE candidate,” says Nozuko. “I’ve learnt that I shouldn’t wait for somebody to offer me a seat at the table. If there’s no seat for a female in the workplace or in this industry, you bring your own, and that’s something that I have really started being vocal about.” Leaving behind a legacy In the future, Nozuko wants to leave behind a legacy that says, “When Nozuko Basson was in that community or was working in that organisation, she made a positive difference.” In terms of her career, she sees herself growing from strength to strength. Right now, she is focused on her work in South Africa, but soon, she wants to share her knowledge and skills with the rest of the world. Nozuko added that she is fortunate to work for an organisation that has the platform that will allow her to do so when the time is right. On the personal side, Nozuko wants to travel the world. “I want to touch other lives in my own personal space. I want to live my best life and it’s something that I’m making a deliberate effort in doing and I know that I’m on the right track.” In advising others, she says, “It’s important not to be side-tracked by other people’s opinions. It’s important to remain true to yourself. It’s important that when you venture out, you understand that not everybody will be cheering for you, so learn to be your own cheerleader and as you’re cheering yourself, cheer those around you because they may not know the power that they have within themselves.” Nozuko believes one needs to put their heart into everything that they do. “I always say to people, if you’re not going to give it your all, rather don’t start. I believe in dazzling people. One of Tronox’s values speaks to doing the right work, the right way in every aspect of our business and that’s really what I subscribe to. I don’t take short cuts; it’s about doing something right all the time. It’s behaving in an ethical way and ensuring that everything I touch, doesn’t only represent organisational integrity, but also my own personal integrity.”

Up Home Up Cherry Armstrong Cherry Armstrong is the director and founder of the NPC, ‘Celebrate Life SA’, where the key focus is on the empowerment of women in rural communities locally and nationally. Cherry was born in Nairobi, Kenya and moved to South Africa at the age of three with her family. Her passion for people led her into the field of nursing, where after matriculating from Pietermaritzburg Girls High School, she trained to become a professional nurse. For the past 18 – 20 years Cherry has worked in communities as a project manager in the field of clinical trials in oncology, neurology, rheumatology, TB, and HIV. She said, “My nursing career took me into palliative care, which enabled me to care for many people dying from cancer and HIV, while working in the communities.” In 1994, long before ‘beauty spas’ were established, she opened the first Anti Stress Clinic called Stresstique. Cherry then ran her own company – Global Clinical Research (Pty) Ltd, which she closed just before the Covid lockdown in March 2020. In between managing her clinical research company, Cherry, together with a group of twelve adventurous and motivated ladies, decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro together to raise one million rand for Hospice. This adventure with a cause, led to the birth of the NPC called ‘Celebrate Life SA’ which she registered in 2005. Since climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2005, the group have taken on several challenging endeavours such as climbing Mount Kenya, running a marathon, paddling around Mauritius; all to raise funds for the rural community initiatives of ‘Celebrate Life’. Each fundraising initiative involves a different mix of women wanting to contribute to upliftment. Celebrate Life SA continues to surge forward with its women empowerment and sustainability programmes in rural communities, both local and nationally. In October this year, Cherry was one of three finalists in the “Santam Woman of the Future”. The three finalists were chosen out of more than 1000 entrants in their category. In 2018, Cherry was recognised by the SA Chamber of Commerce UK’s Annual Business and Community Awards for Serving Community in South Africa. In 2017, she received the Durban Solid Waste ‘Clean Communities’ Award for Empowering Women in Disadvantaged Communities. Another successful achievement close to the heart of ‘Celebrate Life’ is that of their ‘Ubuntu Micro Bakery Project’. This is a national project that changes the lives of hundreds of women for the better, every year. The project consists of a wood fired oven with two drawers and a chimney that can be put into any rondavel or home in the middle of nowhere and includes training women to become entrepreneurial bakers. ‘Celebrate Life’ fundraises for the oven and baking utensils, down to a wooden spoon, and the training. The women are trained for a period of three days to a week, and then are mentored for a year. These little ovens produce an amazing eight loaves of bread per hour. The women also make muffins, pizzas, cinnamon buns and more and in so doing, build their own bakery businesses which are so beneficial to the communities where often there is not even a spaza shop. The income from the bakery is therefore, recirculated in and by the community. MAKING A DIFFERENCE The main purpose of ‘Celebrate Life’ is to make a tangible difference in the lives of rural communities by empowering women who previously felt hopeless and helpless, feeding children who haven’t had a solid meal, and implementing projects that are sustainable and uplifting. The benefits of the bakery empowerment initiative extend beyond merely earning an income. There has been a noted reduction of household gender violence in these areas where the women are earning an income. The children become involved in delivering items and learn new skills, and most importantly, these bakeries provide food for people, creches and feeding schemes. INSPIRING WOMEN Cherry says, “Africa is embedded in my soul. I am passionate about all that “Celebrate Life SA” achieves in the rural communities. After all, women are the backbone of a community and my inspiration.” When asked who has inspired her on this journey, Cherry commented, “I think I probably inspired myself on my journey, as I’ve learnt so much along the way. There are so many inspiring people, one of which for me is Dr Thuli Madonsela, who is so humble. I am also inspired by the amazing women in the communities, who are so grateful for what we do with them and the difference these projects bring into their lives.” EDUCATION IS INTEGRAL The challenge most experienced in the communities, has been education, simply because our young people in general, have not been taught to be entrepreneurs. Cherry believes that this skill should be taught from a young age so that individuals can be self-sufficient, look after themselves, earn their own income and not rely on government or handouts. Education is therefore an integral part of this initiative. Being a leader that surges forward with what she believes in, Cherry has not encountered too many personal challenges. The main challenge as with any NPO, is keeping it going with ongoing, consistent fundraising, applying for grants, and the admin that accompanies this. PAVING THEIR OWN JOURNEY Cherry advises young people to empower themselves by doing something they love and are passionate about. “They don’t necessarily need to study at university to achieve,” she says, “they can upskill themselves as entrepreneurs and pave their own journey forward.” Looking to the future, Cherry’s goal is keeping the Ubuntu Micro Bakery Project going on for posterity because of its impact. She is also in the final stages of writing her book on cancer, called ‘Just Breathe’, which is filled with practical information for the patient, and will hopefully be published soon. To relax and unwind, Cherry heads for the outdoors. She enjoys ocean paddling, running, hiking and water skiing. In conclusion, Cherry says, “It would be wonderful if each one of us, no matter what our business is, were to teach others, by working together, to go forward and forge their own journey. We, in South Africa, can make it happen.”

< Back Franchise Principal, Consult by Momentum Peak Sure I want to show them that no matter where they come from, there are opportunities out there. Mentorship can truly shape lives. Inanda Bezuidenhout is the franchise principal at Consult by Momentum Peak Sure, specialising in asset protection and risk management within the short-term insurance sector. They create tailored solutions that help both individuals and businesses to safeguard their assets. Additionally, the company offers referral models for third- party professionals in the insurance industry, making it easier for them to support their clients’ insurance needs. She explains, “Our model allows them to ring-fence their clients and offer short-term insurance solutions without the hassle of administrative tasks or complex products.” Reflecting on her achievements, Inanda shared, “Our partnership with Consult is only two years old in October, however, we launched our business as a Momentum agency on 27 March 2020 — the day lockdown was announced. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we managed to grow and assist clients restructure their short- term policies enabling them to maintain crucial life and investment opportunities.” In just two years, their business achieved third place nationally in Momentum’s short-term division, and Inanda was honoured with second place in the Top Female Advisory category. Part of a Solution Commenting on her journey, Inanda describes it as one of continuous learning, community support, and self- awareness. “My dreams have evolved over the years,” she says. “As a child, they were one thing, but as an adult, they have changed. I’m always busy and my dreams can change daily. Right now, my biggest dream is still in progress; I want to help others understand risk management and make informed decisions.” Her career was influenced by her upbringing and her initial experiences in law. “Growing up I wanted to pursue a career in law. I worked in the debt collection department of a local law firm but realised I preferred proactive planning and being part of a solution.” This shift led her to financial services. “I was fortunate enough to join my father’s team as a personal assistant, taking every opportunity to learn and by the age of 21, I became a financial planner myself.” Inanda soon discovered her strength in risk management and chose to specialise in short-term insurance. “I’m risk- averse,” she explains. “I prefer to mitigate risks rather than take them, which led me to asset protection and risk management.” Her career took a turn in 2013 when she joined Robsons Insurance Brokers. “My mentors there taught me resilience and integrity within the business space. They showed me that achieving professional goals while making a meaningful impact in the community is possible.” Her community involvement is an essential aspect of her life. Inanda is a member of KZN Women in Business, supporting sustainable growth and community projects, as well as the Financial Intermediary Association. “My faith keeps me grounded,” she added, “I actively participate in my Seventh-Day Adventist church, and staying connected to both my faith and community helps me maintain balance.” Inanda’s participation in the cleanup efforts following the KZN riots reinforced her belief in the power of collaboration. “Seeing everyone come together to support each other in a time of need was a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we work together,” she says. This sense of community drives her to inspire the youth. “I want to show them that no matter where they come from, there are opportunities out there. Mentorship can truly shape lives, and I’m committed to guiding the next generation in business, sports, and life.” Inanda’s passion for netball is another way she engages with her community. Having played for the Natal Action Netball Mixed Team, she now coaches at a local school, inspiring young people through sport. Continuous Learning Like many business leaders, Inanda has faced challenges. “Five years ago, I decided to pursue my dream of owning my own business,” she recounts. “At the same time, I was going through a difficult divorce, which was emotionally taxing. Fortunately, I found strength in my supportive family, friends, and colleagues.” Starting a business in a competitive industry wasn’t easy, either. “Navigating the complexities of the insurance sector, especially in an ‘old boys’ club,’ when you don’t play golf forced me to focus on my strengths and what makes my company unique. Building personal connections with clients has been crucial to our success.” Inanda emphasises continuous learning. “Knowledge is power. To be the best, we need to stay informed and continuously improve. Learning comes in many forms, through reading, listening, and connecting with professionals in our field. You’re never too old or too young to grow.” She also champions empowerment within her team. “I believe in giving people opportunities, even if they don’t have formal degrees. My assistant, Samantha, was a stay-at-home mum who joined our team and is now an indispensable part of our business.” Looking ahead, Inanda draws inspiration from her grandmother and mother, who encouraged her to aim for the impossible to achieve the best possible. “I’m content with what I’ve achieved so far, and committed to giving my son the best future, but my competitive nature pushes me to aim higher,” she says. “I’m passionate about our industry and I want to help communities better understand risk management and improve service delivery in our field.” Ultimately, Inanda’s goal is to be part of a legacy of empowerment and education in the insurance industry. “I want to make a meaningful impact not just by teaching people about proper risk management, but by improving service delivery in our country,” she says. “Our industry is known for its challenges, but I believe we can make a difference, and I want to be part of that change.” For young women following in her footsteps, Inanda offers this advice: “Your journey may be rocky and winding, like the beautiful farming landscapes painted by South African artist Portchie. There will be twists and turns, but never give up on your goals. Take the time to understand who you are and where your strengths lie, as this knowledge will help you achieve your dreams. The journey may be long, but every opportunity to learn and grow is valuable.” Previous Next

Struggles are a stepping stone to your next place. When you have gone through the struggle, the prize feels all the more sweeter < Back Nozuko Basson Regional Manager for Communities and Corporate Affairs Tronox South Africa Nozuko Basson’s role at Tronox, which is based in northern KZN, entails making sure that the mining company honours its responsibility of creating value for its stakeholders, of which, communities take centre stage. The most significant event in Nozuko’s life is, she says, when she became a mother. “I had my daughter when I was fairly young and from the moment she arrived in this world, I knew that the game had changed. It’s an ambition of mine, that when my daughter is asked who your role model is, she mentions my name.” In ensuring that she is an inspiration to her daughter, Nozuko constantly evaluates how she behaves, how she practices professionalism in the workplace, and how she treats other people. Nozuko believes that she has got to where she is today through hard work, dedication, a lot of praying and the support from many people who have crossed her path. “I’m somebody who is focused on her religion. I’m a Christian and I’ve always believed that everything that I do is enabled by my faith. I started my career as a journalist, but I realised that was not the life that I wanted to live. I’m not a social and out-there type of person, so I moved into public relations. I was fortunate to work for an agency where I had an amazing mentor who helped me in building the capability to understand how media relations works.” From there, Nozuko moved onto one of South Africa’s largest medical insurance organisations, Discovery. Here, Nozuko said, she had mentors who helped guide her through her career. “I’ve been fortunate that I had other people lifting me, guiding me, and making sure that I stayed on the right track. My journey has been difficult; it’s always good to be reminded by those who are ahead of you how to remain positive and confident in what you are doing.” Having courage Nozuko says that her decision to move to KwaZulu-Natal has been an amazing journey that has required her to really stretch herself. This meant going into areas where she thought she would never be able to venture. She added, “Just having the courage to really push myself and push the boundaries for my team members so that we all work towards one single vision. This requires that we stay close to the cause and really live our own personal values, as well as the values of the organisation in which I work right now.” In commenting on the challenges that she has faced, Nozuko says that as a young female professional, the first challenge that she would like to focus on, is the “pull her down syndrome”. “When you, as a female, start rising in your career there are times when other females do everything in their power to pull you down. I have a strong view that if one of us rise, we all rise. It’s hard enough being a young female, let alone being black in the workplace; we need to hold each other up and motivate each other.” The second challenge she has faced is working in the mining industry, which is a male dominated sector. Over that, working within the community, which is also a male led environment that still subscribes to traditional practices has brought a great deal of learning, that has come with its own difficulties. Currently, the third challenge has been dealing with unconventional community issues, that pose a serious risk to Tronox’s public reputation. “This is where the company’s values, procedures and policies need to guide you to deal with the challenges in a manner that does not compromise your role or its reputation,” said Nozuko. “Lastly, I have often found myself feeling not quite welcome around the ‘table’, as if I am a token BEE candidate,” says Nozuko. “I’ve learnt that I shouldn’t wait for somebody to offer me a seat at the table. If there’s no seat for a female in the workplace or in this industry, you bring your own, and that’s something that I have really started being vocal about.” Leaving behind a legacy In the future, Nozuko wants to leave behind a legacy that says, “When Nozuko Basson was in that community or was working in that organisation, she made a positive difference.” In terms of her career, she sees herself growing from strength to strength. Right now, she is focused on her work in South Africa, but soon, she wants to share her knowledge and skills with the rest of the world. Nozuko added that she is fortunate to work for an organisation that has the platform that will allow her to do so when the time is right. On the personal side, Nozuko wants to travel the world. “I want to touch other lives in my own personal space. I want to live my best life and it’s something that I’m making a deliberate effort in doing and I know that I’m on the right track.” In advising others, she says, “It’s important not to be side-tracked by other people’s opinions. It’s important to remain true to yourself. It’s important that when you venture out, you understand that not everybody will be cheering for you, so learn to be your own cheerleader and as you’re cheering yourself, cheer those around you because they may not know the power that they have within themselves.” Nozuko believes one needs to put their heart into everything that they do. “I always say to people, if you’re not going to give it your all, rather don’t start. I believe in dazzling people. One of Tronox’s values speaks to doing the right work, the right way in every aspect of our business and that’s really what I subscribe to. I don’t take short cuts; it’s about doing something right all the time. It’s behaving in an ethical way and ensuring that everything I touch, doesn’t only represent organisational integrity, but also my own personal integrity.”

Pat Moodley Next Previous Pat Moodley is the regional manager for the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Pat Moodley is the regional manager for the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The IDC is the largest development financing institution in South Africa and across the continent. After completing his BCom accounting degree, Pat’s professional journey started off at Standard Bank. He moved his way up the ranks and left the bank as a small medium enterprise manager to join the IDC. Over the years, Pat has completed a number of leadership training programmes, including an MBA and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Global Leadership course. Pat’s career with the IDC spans over 24 years. One of his greatest wishes during this time is to extend the reach of the IDC within KZN. SME DEVELOPMENT One of Pat’s key objectives in his role as a regional manager is to ensure that the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector grows in KZN. The office he leads forms part of the IDC’s Small Business Finance unit, and they consider all funding applications up to twenty million rands, from start to finish. Once an application has been approved, the IDC then disburses that loan and through its partnership funding model, works together with the SME to ensure that the business continues to function optimally and hopefully expand, creating much needed jobs within the province. Commenting on his role Pat says, "I’m very passionate about SME development, especially in my home province KZN. There’s lots of potential and impact in funding businesses. I think overall, my proudest moment is funding businesses and seeing them grow organically over a period of time. When I drive past any of our clients’ premises, I am proud to say that these are businesses IDC has funded. Maybe in my old age or in my retirement, I will be able to tell my grandkids there’s the business IDC funded and from humble beginnings it has grown over the years to be a leading company in the province and the country.” AN INCLUSIVE APPROACH Following his previous work experiences, Pat has always been driven to be an effective leader. He explains that during his early career he encountered many bad leadership styles and unpleasant habits, which were patterns of behaviour that he did not want to use to lead his team. “I learnt from the poor leadership examples that I was exposed to and have improved on these. The scenario in the corporate world is changing. Back in the day, leadership was often like a dictatorship, and it’s changed. I told myself that I won’t be like those leaders. I need to be a different type of leader to ensure that I get the most out of my team and keep them motivated as well. Today, leadership is about being part of that team, it’s not a top-down approach. It’s an inclusive approach and that’s how you get buy-in from your team and create a win- win situation for everyone.” Pat is not motivated by external sources. He says, “I don’t benchmark myself against anyone. I set my own standards and I deliver on those standards, which are at a very high level. You must be an individual and make a difference based on your own motivation and your own contribution. I don’t need to aspire to be someone else.” He added that honesty, integrity and abiding by the rules are important to him. “I’m a rules person but there must be flexibility, as long as you are within the parameters that have been set. Being in the financial sector and funding in particular, compliance, honesty and integrity is the first consideration, you then jockey behind the company.” A CONVERSATION Pat commented a major challenge is that some- times his humbleness can be mistaken as a weakness. He explains, “You don’t have to be forceful as a leader in the corporate world, but because you’re not forceful in your approach, the outside world does not take you seriously, that’s what I want to change.” Pat continues that you should be able to direct and conduct business through having a conversation. Conversely, history or the likes in the corporate world want you to be in command. “We’re not in the army, you can be firm, but you don’t have to be a dictator or have a forceful nature. Sometimes those challenges do crop up from time to time because people expect you to behave in that way as a leader,” he expanded. For Pat interacting with people is a process and about building a relationship. “It’s about sitting around the table and saying this is what we can do. How do we find middle ground and see the end picture?” He commented, “I want to be me, do my work, but do it properly and correctly. Power provides a false sense of respect. I still want to be a person in my own right when I leave the IDC and not be defined by my previous title.” UNITY WITHIN COMMUNITY While the province of KwaZulu-Natal has gone through a number of strikes, unrest and flooding, Pat’s vision for the future is that everyone will come together to form a public private partnership that will see the economy grow. In order for this to occur, Pat believes that everyone needs to do away with the red tape. “To see that growth in the economy, everyone has to play their part, from local government to provincial government, to large corporates to small businesses. We have to club together with one vision if we want to see the growth in the economy and create jobs to counter unemployment and alleviate poverty. Everyone needs to come together to make sure that we can fund businesses and we can use corporate social investments to get the desired outcomes, grow the economy and contribute to the well-being of the community.” Previous Next

< Back Cindy Norcott Next CINDY NORCOTT is the owner of Pro Appointments and Pro Talent, which are recruitment agencies that she has had for the past 25 years. She is the founder and chairperson of the Robin Hood Foundation, a charity that was formed in 2005. Cindy is also a motivational speaker, business coach and the author of the best-selling book, "How to be Unstoppable". CINDY NORCOTT is the owner of Pro Appointments and Pro Talent, which are recruitment agencies that she has had for the past 25 years. She is the founder and chairperson of the Robin Hood Foundation, a charity that was formed in 2005. Cindy is also a motivational speaker, business coach and the author of the best-selling book, "How to be Unstoppable". She launched her first company in a spare room of her parents' home with an old desk, a couple of chairs, a telephone, fax machine and typewriter. "I started my business at 23 with R2 500 in my bank account, and I have never had to touch that money. I have never applied for a loan and I have been blessed to have been able to increase my profits year on year," said Cindy. Surrounded by amazing people Cindy attributes her success to hard work, being exceptionally disciplined and surrounding herself with "amazing" people. She thinks that having free office space at her parents' home and having their emotional support helped. Failure she says was never an option. Although her business was from home, she would wake up, get dressed and start work at the same time every day. I loved what I was doing, and I was having fun." Cindy reflects that she was also inspired by many of her friends in business who are all very different but who share common values and character traits. These include courage under pressure, resilient spirits, positive outlooks, massive energy reserves, servant hearts and when things are down, they have a sense of humour to rely on. Building a business was not easy and, Cindy points out, with success came growth and she had to learn new skills. "I lacked general business and accounting skills when I started, and I had a very steep learning curve to get my head around the figures. Two years into the business, I obtained the services of a business mentor, Andrew, who helped me for about three years with advice and business strategy." Cindy has always been fortunate in having good staff in her company and says that they have been instrumental in the success of her business. Making a difference Apart from her energy-charged motivational and inspirational speaking engagements and appear-ances, she is most proud about the contribution she is making to the community through her non-profit organisation, the Robin Hood Foundation. The Robin Hood Foundation which was launched 14 years ago runs projects such as Love the Babies, Bless a Granny and Grandpa, Hope Breakfasts and Gogo Bags. "We host entrepreneurial conferences and parties for schools with children with special needs. We run more than 100 projects per year and our focus is helping people in need. As the name suggests, we take from the rich and we give to the poor. Through our work, individuals and organisations are making a difference," said Cindy. The Foundation is managed by a paid coordinator, Kim Griffith Jones, who is dedicated, highly organ-ised, passionate and multi-talented. Her skills are combined with an enthusiastic team of volunteers and a committee who work tirelessly for free. All of this makes the charity work smoothly and seamlessly. Work-life integration Speaking on gender differences in business, Cindy says that she does not advocate separating the world into men and women. "I think that business people need to create an approach that works for them. They need to work it out according to their circumstances and be prepared to be flexible and adapt. Sometimes, women tend to have the lion's share of household responsibility, so they have to juggle responsibilities a lot more and often have less time to work on their businesses due to family commitments. I do not however, think that this necessarily applies to all women." In her day to day business life Cindy prefers to think of achieving a work-life balance as work-life integration. "Sometimes, at work, I make personal calls and do some personal tasks and often at home, I am working. I plan my working day around my daughter's school schedule so that I can fetch her most days of the week. I don't think I have the balance right, but I am consciously working on my wheel of life, trying to achieve in all areas. It is a constant struggle for me," she commented. Think bigger Her struggle to achieve is reflected in her desire to believe in herself and think bigger as she knows she has what it takes to be a success. The advice that she would give her younger self is to have more fun along the way. "I would also tell myself to set better boundaries as I often say yes to too many requests for my time and energy. I would tell myself to be more assertive and not worry too much about other people's opinions." While Cindy is very happy with her achievements to date, she continues to strive for more success. "I think it is engrained in my DNA to want to out strip last year's self, so I always set goals for each new year that take the previous year's achievements to the next level. I would like to publish my second business book next year and I would like to grow my international and national speaking business." Previous Next

< Back Caroline Sculley

Identify a career path that is in-line with who you are, that ignites passion in you as well as purpose < Back Nozuko Basson Regional Manager for Communities and Corporate Affairs Tronox South Africa Nozuko Basson’s role at Tronox, which is based in northern KZN, entails making sure that the mining company honours its responsibility of creating value for its stakeholders, of which, communities take centre stage. The most significant event in Nozuko’s life is, she says, when she became a mother. “I had my daughter when I was fairly young and from the moment she arrived in this world, I knew that the game had changed. It’s an ambition of mine, that when my daughter is asked who your role model is, she mentions my name.” In ensuring that she is an inspiration to her daughter, Nozuko constantly evaluates how she behaves, how she practices professionalism in the workplace, and how she treats other people. Nozuko believes that she has got to where she is today through hard work, dedication, a lot of praying and the support from many people who have crossed her path. “I’m somebody who is focused on her religion. I’m a Christian and I’ve always believed that everything that I do is enabled by my faith. I started my career as a journalist, but I realised that was not the life that I wanted to live. I’m not a social and out-there type of person, so I moved into public relations. I was fortunate to work for an agency where I had an amazing mentor who helped me in building the capability to understand how media relations works.” From there, Nozuko moved onto one of South Africa’s largest medical insurance organisations, Discovery. Here, Nozuko said, she had mentors who helped guide her through her career. “I’ve been fortunate that I had other people lifting me, guiding me, and making sure that I stayed on the right track. My journey has been difficult; it’s always good to be reminded by those who are ahead of you how to remain positive and confident in what you are doing.” Having courage Nozuko says that her decision to move to KwaZulu-Natal has been an amazing journey that has required her to really stretch herself. This meant going into areas where she thought she would never be able to venture. She added, “Just having the courage to really push myself and push the boundaries for my team members so that we all work towards one single vision. This requires that we stay close to the cause and really live our own personal values, as well as the values of the organisation in which I work right now.” In commenting on the challenges that she has faced, Nozuko says that as a young female professional, the first challenge that she would like to focus on, is the “pull her down syndrome”. “When you, as a female, start rising in your career there are times when other females do everything in their power to pull you down. I have a strong view that if one of us rise, we all rise. It’s hard enough being a young female, let alone being black in the workplace; we need to hold each other up and motivate each other.” The second challenge she has faced is working in the mining industry, which is a male dominated sector. Over that, working within the community, which is also a male led environment that still subscribes to traditional practices has brought a great deal of learning, that has come with its own difficulties. Currently, the third challenge has been dealing with unconventional community issues, that pose a serious risk to Tronox’s public reputation. “This is where the company’s values, procedures and policies need to guide you to deal with the challenges in a manner that does not compromise your role or its reputation,” said Nozuko. “Lastly, I have often found myself feeling not quite welcome around the ‘table’, as if I am a token BEE candidate,” says Nozuko. “I’ve learnt that I shouldn’t wait for somebody to offer me a seat at the table. If there’s no seat for a female in the workplace or in this industry, you bring your own, and that’s something that I have really started being vocal about.” Leaving behind a legacy In the future, Nozuko wants to leave behind a legacy that says, “When Nozuko Basson was in that community or was working in that organisation, she made a positive difference.” In terms of her career, she sees herself growing from strength to strength. Right now, she is focused on her work in South Africa, but soon, she wants to share her knowledge and skills with the rest of the world. Nozuko added that she is fortunate to work for an organisation that has the platform that will allow her to do so when the time is right. On the personal side, Nozuko wants to travel the world. “I want to touch other lives in my own personal space. I want to live my best life and it’s something that I’m making a deliberate effort in doing and I know that I’m on the right track.” In advising others, she says, “It’s important not to be side-tracked by other people’s opinions. It’s important to remain true to yourself. It’s important that when you venture out, you understand that not everybody will be cheering for you, so learn to be your own cheerleader and as you’re cheering yourself, cheer those around you because they may not know the power that they have within themselves.” Nozuko believes one needs to put their heart into everything that they do. “I always say to people, if you’re not going to give it your all, rather don’t start. I believe in dazzling people. One of Tronox’s values speaks to doing the right work, the right way in every aspect of our business and that’s really what I subscribe to. I don’t take short cuts; it’s about doing something right all the time. It’s behaving in an ethical way and ensuring that everything I touch, doesn’t only represent organisational integrity, but also my own personal integrity.”

I would start a business that would not only be profitable and sustainable but a business that will empower people < Back Nozuko Basson Regional Manager for Communities and Corporate Affairs Tronox South Africa Nozuko Basson’s role at Tronox, which is based in northern KZN, entails making sure that the mining company honours its responsibility of creating value for its stakeholders, of which, communities take centre stage. The most significant event in Nozuko’s life is, she says, when she became a mother. “I had my daughter when I was fairly young and from the moment she arrived in this world, I knew that the game had changed. It’s an ambition of mine, that when my daughter is asked who your role model is, she mentions my name.” In ensuring that she is an inspiration to her daughter, Nozuko constantly evaluates how she behaves, how she practices professionalism in the workplace, and how she treats other people. Nozuko believes that she has got to where she is today through hard work, dedication, a lot of praying and the support from many people who have crossed her path. “I’m somebody who is focused on her religion. I’m a Christian and I’ve always believed that everything that I do is enabled by my faith. I started my career as a journalist, but I realised that was not the life that I wanted to live. I’m not a social and out-there type of person, so I moved into public relations. I was fortunate to work for an agency where I had an amazing mentor who helped me in building the capability to understand how media relations works.” From there, Nozuko moved onto one of South Africa’s largest medical insurance organisations, Discovery. Here, Nozuko said, she had mentors who helped guide her through her career. “I’ve been fortunate that I had other people lifting me, guiding me, and making sure that I stayed on the right track. My journey has been difficult; it’s always good to be reminded by those who are ahead of you how to remain positive and confident in what you are doing.” Having courage Nozuko says that her decision to move to KwaZulu-Natal has been an amazing journey that has required her to really stretch herself. This meant going into areas where she thought she would never be able to venture. She added, “Just having the courage to really push myself and push the boundaries for my team members so that we all work towards one single vision. This requires that we stay close to the cause and really live our own personal values, as well as the values of the organisation in which I work right now.” In commenting on the challenges that she has faced, Nozuko says that as a young female professional, the first challenge that she would like to focus on, is the “pull her down syndrome”. “When you, as a female, start rising in your career there are times when other females do everything in their power to pull you down. I have a strong view that if one of us rise, we all rise. It’s hard enough being a young female, let alone being black in the workplace; we need to hold each other up and motivate each other.” The second challenge she has faced is working in the mining industry, which is a male dominated sector. Over that, working within the community, which is also a male led environment that still subscribes to traditional practices has brought a great deal of learning, that has come with its own difficulties. Currently, the third challenge has been dealing with unconventional community issues, that pose a serious risk to Tronox’s public reputation. “This is where the company’s values, procedures and policies need to guide you to deal with the challenges in a manner that does not compromise your role or its reputation,” said Nozuko. “Lastly, I have often found myself feeling not quite welcome around the ‘table’, as if I am a token BEE candidate,” says Nozuko. “I’ve learnt that I shouldn’t wait for somebody to offer me a seat at the table. If there’s no seat for a female in the workplace or in this industry, you bring your own, and that’s something that I have really started being vocal about.” Leaving behind a legacy In the future, Nozuko wants to leave behind a legacy that says, “When Nozuko Basson was in that community or was working in that organisation, she made a positive difference.” In terms of her career, she sees herself growing from strength to strength. Right now, she is focused on her work in South Africa, but soon, she wants to share her knowledge and skills with the rest of the world. Nozuko added that she is fortunate to work for an organisation that has the platform that will allow her to do so when the time is right. On the personal side, Nozuko wants to travel the world. “I want to touch other lives in my own personal space. I want to live my best life and it’s something that I’m making a deliberate effort in doing and I know that I’m on the right track.” In advising others, she says, “It’s important not to be side-tracked by other people’s opinions. It’s important to remain true to yourself. It’s important that when you venture out, you understand that not everybody will be cheering for you, so learn to be your own cheerleader and as you’re cheering yourself, cheer those around you because they may not know the power that they have within themselves.” Nozuko believes one needs to put their heart into everything that they do. “I always say to people, if you’re not going to give it your all, rather don’t start. I believe in dazzling people. One of Tronox’s values speaks to doing the right work, the right way in every aspect of our business and that’s really what I subscribe to. I don’t take short cuts; it’s about doing something right all the time. It’s behaving in an ethical way and ensuring that everything I touch, doesn’t only represent organisational integrity, but also my own personal integrity.”

< Back Carol Reynolds Next During this time, Carol yearned to return to her family in KZN. As her mother had owned a Pam Golding franchise, Carol had come to know the Golding family. Fortuitously, Andrew Golding was opening a flagship branch in Durban and needed a manager. "We opened the Durban branch in 2008 as the property market crashed! I was faced with the daunting task of either retrenching colleagues or moving on myself," said Carol. She chose the latter and purchased the Durban North franchise of Pam Golding Properties in 2009. CAROL REYNOLDS owns and manages the Pam Golding North Durban franchise, which operates from Durban North through to Umdloti. In describing herself she says, 'I am a business woman, a mother, a wife, a friend, a terrible cook, a wannabee yogi, a homemaker, a creative, a peace-maker, a liberator, a dreamer, a visionary, an academic, a life coach, a non-drinker, a non-smoker and a doer." Reflecting on her career, Carol explains that as she comes from a property family, property is in her blood. "I studied law, thinking I would continue my father's legacy, but got side-tracked by the world of television and modelling, which took me out of the corporate space for over a decade. I only entered the property industry, my greatest passion, ten years later." In her early thirties, Carol stopped modelling to focus on a career with greater longevity. At this juncture, she fell pregnant with her first child and caught up in the euphoria of being a mother, opened a children's clothing and décor store. "Sadly, this was more of a heartfelt creative outlet, than a source of income, so I ventured back into the corporate world and ran the Western Cape region of Rodel Finance for a few years." During this time, Carol yearned to return to her family in KZN. As her mother had owned a Pam Golding franchise, Carol had come to know the Golding family. Fortuitously, Andrew Golding was opening a flagship branch in Durban and needed a manager. "We opened the Durban branch in 2008 as the property market crashed! I was faced with the daunting task of either retrenching colleagues or moving on myself," said Carol. She chose the latter and purchased the Durban North franchise of Pam Golding Properties in 2009. Carol grew the business from a staff and agent complement of 12 people to a business that houses over 65 people. During the ten years that Carol has owned the business, she has acquired a stake in the Durban franchise and expanded to include the Umhlanga, Sibaya and Umdloti territories. I have not achieved this alone In reflecting on people who have inspired and assisted her, she said, "I have not achieved this alone - Andrew Golding, my parents and my business partners have allowed me to unlock various opportunities along the way." "My parents have always been a huge inspiration to me - they are humble, ethical, upstanding and well-educated. They never compromise their principles and always conduct themselves with the utmost integrity." "Pam Golding has been a great mentor to me - she set her heights above the rest, soared and never looked back. She brought empathy, compassion and heart into the real estate industry, and these qualities set her apart from the competition." "Nelson Mandela is also one of my mentors - I was fortunate enough to meet him and have tea with him at his residence. He held my hand and looked me in the eye with genuine support and encouragement, telling me how proud he was that I had completed my law degree. He is the reason I run my business as a servant leader, building my team from behind rather than dictating from the front." Success comes from authenticity In addition, said Carol, success comes from authenticity and this means that as women in business, we need to behave as women do. "My business is founded on values like compassion, teamwork, humanity and genuine consideration for others. As women, we focus more on people and relationships rather than simply chasing deals, which means that we are geared for long-term success, resilience and longevity." One of Carol's life-long dilemmas is the quandary between contentment and the opposing force of her ambitious nature. "I don't think I will ever be fully satisfied with my accomplishments - there is a world of opportunity, and I lie awake at night strategising about how I can improve my status quo." "I studied psychology and love incorporating coaching into my business practice - I need to do more of this! There is also room for improvement across all five pillars of my business - each division can grow and thrive, feeding the other pillars to create a strong foundation for ongoing success." Harnessing the unique skills of a team Being a mother is hugely important to Carol. She grapples with the fact that she is always compromising to balance work and family responsibilities and often feels that she is failing dismally. However, to address her work-life balance Carol believes that there is value in collaboration, strategic alliances, partnerships and harnessing the unique skills of a team. "I have embraced the expansion of my business, created management positions and welcomed partners into my business who have different skills to me. This has enabled me to expand faster, achieve more, plug the holes in my business and, most importantly, it has given me time to be with my family. As Pam Golding said, "nothing worth having is ever built alone." In the past, Carol wishes that she had trusted more in divine intervention and worried less about the future. "Apply the core values of authenticity and ethics to your business practice and never compromise on these, as they are the foundation for success. Bring in the right people, get the culture right; the rest is about commitment, goals, determination, small wins and daily steps on the path to success." "Always learn from your mistakes; embrace change; give generously to those in need and never give up. Finally, feed your tank and feed your soul - don't burn out, because you need to shine your light upon others," concluded Carol. Previous Next