< Back Thabisa Nkanzela Next As Head of Finance for the KZN Retail and Business Banking division in Standard Bank, Thabisa Nkanzela is part of the provincial executive leadership team and is directly responsible for providing financial management support at a strategic and operational level As Head of Finance for the KZN Retail and Business Banking division in Standard Bank, Thabisa Nkanzela is part of the provincial executive leadership team and is directly responsible for providing financial management support at a strategic and operational level. This means that Thabisa and her finance team have a responsibility to ensure that the business operates within budget parameters and adheres to financial and governance requirements. Embrace every opportunity Thabisa attributes her career success thus far, firstly to the grace of God and secondly, to a combination of opportunity and hard work. Throughout the various stages of her career, she has been blessed to have been afforded opportunities to show up. "We all need both exposure and opportunity so we can demonstrate what we're really capable of," she says, "and I've constantly challenged myself to give of my best in every task or project allocated to me and embrace every opportunity." But Thabisa is also adamant about the importance of having a dream and working hard to pursue it. "I'm blessed to be entrusted with various positions of influence in the community and at work today. But I grew up in a rural village near Flagstaff and as a young girl, I always had big dreams about myself and my surroundings. I am only realising now that the environment around me was neither conducive nor enabling for these dreams to become a reality, but I dreamt anyway." "Your dreams, aspirations and imagination keep you open to opportunities and to something bigger than yourself. You can only do the best you can with what you have, but if you have a dream, you have something to work towards." Inspired to make an impact As she grew up, Thabisa began to see more potential for her future, and says that she's inspired to make an impact. "We can all make a difference wherever we are, and I always strive to leave things in better shape than I found them. This forces me to bring my A - game, and to be the best possible version of myself wherever I am." Thabisa points out that women naturally have a different approach to business than men, and that contributes to their success. "Ability and skills can be taught, but we women have an innate ability to bring our whole selves to everything that we do, and that can be very powerful in business. However, most importantly we are all unique beings offering diverse thinking, perspectives and abilities, and each person should be recognised for what they have to offer, regardless of their gender." Thabisa is extremely grateful and humbled by her journey and accomplishments to date. But she also points out that she still has a lot to offer - not just on the work front, but also to her family, her community and her generation at large. "I was raised by a strong and highly accomplished mother, who continues to positively influence her family and her community at large through the various leadership roles that she assumes. It is through observing her that I know how important it is to use whatever influence and success you may achieve for the enrichment of those around you." "I also consider myself to be a highly teachable person, so I'm always open to learning new things. Continuous development has been one of the biggest and most important contributors to my progress thus far, both on a personal and professional level, and I strive to continue with that journey of growth." Build a strong support system When asked whether she manages to achieve a work-life balance, Thabisa answers that she always tries to live life to the fullest in every way, including pursuing a rewarding professional career. "But it's not easy,' she points out, "and it certainly requires a lot of trade-offs, but it is possible. For me, it means identifying what I'm passionate about outside of work, then being deliberate about investing time in those things." Thabisa points out that you can't do it all on your own. Building a strong support system around yourself makes all the difference. Thabisa also has some advice for her younger self, and for other young businesspeople setting out to make their mark on the world. "Ask more questions. It's okay to ask, and you gain greater insights. You don't always have to figure everything out for yourself. Secondly, you have a lot to learn, but equally so you have a lot to offer this world. In everything you do, strive to learn and to create at the same time, then you'll find fulfilment. Lastly, and very importantly, don't define yourself by what you have today. Circumstances around you may seem limiting right now, but keep dreaming, keep imagining. Never close yourself off to opportunities." Previous Next

Don’t take shortcuts, they’re not the answer. Work hard, be professional and do things the right way, and for the right reasons < 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 Zululand Chamber of Commerce & Industry 15 minutes Assesment About While the Zululand Chamber of Commerce & Industry is autonomous to the Zululand Chamber of Business Foundation, the Foundation community park continues to provide a home for its associated organisations. The Zululand Chamber of Commerce & Industry continues to enjoy a close relationship with the Foundation while Business Against Crime no longer reports to the Foundation. The Zululand Chamber of Commerce & Industry continues to grow with increased membership and during 2009 the Chamber Executive Committee had 19 sub committees reporting to it.At the Executive Committee meeting held on the 8th August 2007 under the chairmanship of Mr Garth McCartney, the Chamber took the decision to become affiliated with SACCI (South African Chamber of Commerce & Industry, formally known as SACOB). Previous Next

Next Back to Team Next Chelsea Brand Multimedia Field Journalist Chelsea serves as a key Multimedia Field Journalist for KZN Top Business, where she blends sharp analytical writing with immersive on-camera engagement. Her work goes beyond the surface, focusing on crafting the narrative arc of the businesses and leaders that drive our region’s economy. Chelsea excels at distilling complex business insights into compelling editorial content, ensuring that every video interview she conducts is backed by thorough research and structured storytelling. She is dedicated to documenting the "Good News" of the KZN business sector, ensuring our written and digital reports are as insightful as they are engaging. Mail Chelsea@BusinesSense.co.za Phone +27 760919547

Cindy Norcott Next Previous Cindy Norcott is the chief executive officer of Pro Talent Cindy Norcott is the chief executive officer of her own specialist recruitment agency, Pro Talent, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in March. Cindy attended the University of Natal, Durban, where she pursued a social science degree, majoring in marketing, economics, and industrial psychology. “I then started my honours degree in industrial psychology and also studied business coaching,” Cindy shares. Her academic path laid a foundation for her varied and impactful career, equipping her with both the theoretical grounding and practical skills that she would later apply in the recruitment industry. Cindy’s career began as a recruitment consultant at a small agency in Durban. “I loved it,” she reflects. After two years in the role, her entrepreneurial spirit took flight, and she decided to open her own agency. This decision marked the beginning of a career built on both her passion for recruitment and her commitment to supporting others in finding meaningful employment. Cindy says her current role involves strategy, management, marketing, and client liaison. Along- side her responsibilities at Pro Talent, Cindy serves as the chairperson of the Robin Hood Foundation, a KwaZulu-Natal-based non-profit organisation she founded nearly 20 years ago. Her work with the foundation involves daily strategic and operational commitments. Cindy is also a motivational speaker, delivering around sixty inspirational talks each year at various conferences and corporate events. EMOTIONALLY INVESTED Cindy feels emotionally invested in South Africa’s economic development. “I believe that if the economy thrives, people’s lives are changed for the better. Economic growth drives everything,” she says. For Cindy, each successful placement at Pro Talent represents a life transformed. “When we make a permanent placement, we ring the bell and everyone applauds because we have changed another life. I believe that the more people we can place into a new job or a better-paying job, the more we can impact the economy,” she explains. Cindy is particularly inspired about South Africa’s growth as a remote working hub. “South Africans are highly regarded for their work ethic,” she adds, noting that with the arbitrage of foreign currencies to the Rand, our citizens are affordable and value- for-money employees. “I am particularly excited that we are placing South Africans in remote roles, where they get to work from the comfort of their own homes, earning money from international companies and then spending that money in our country,” she explains. Starting and running the Robin Hood Foundation is the accomplishment that Cindy is the proudest of. “The Robin Hood Foundation is a part of my DNA, and not a day goes by that I am not involved in it,” she shares. Through the foundation, Cindy and her team have made a significant impact in KwaZulu-Natal by building crèches, organising entrepreneurial conferences, providing food relief, and supporting schools through initiatives like the Sarmie Army, which delivers sandwiches to underprivileged students. “Our charity gets no guaranteed funding, and I consider it a huge achievement that we can carry out these projects and manage to fund them through creative fundraising methods,” Cindy notes proudly. BE YOUR OWN HERO A piece of advice that has profoundly shaped Cindy’s journey is, “Nobody is coming to save you. Be your own hero.” This philosophy has driven her determination and proactive approach. “I am a dreamer-doer,” she explains. Cindy attributes much of her success to her ability to combine creativity with a strong action-oriented mindset. She emphasises the importance of self-belief and explains that her confidence has had a contagious effect on those around her. “Others see my self-belief, and they then believe in me too,” she adds. For Cindy, balancing multiple roles has been one of her greatest challenges. “As a wife, mother of two, business owner, author, business coach, charity head, and motivational speaker, I have constantly felt too busy,” she confides. Cindy’s inability to say no added to this burden, leaving her with an overfilled schedule. “In the past five years, I have become more discerning about who and what I say yes to,” she says, highlighting her recent efforts to prioritise and manage her time more effectively. Cindy believes that open communication is essential for team morale. “I try to spend time with them and get to know them,” she explains. Cindy fosters a positive work environment through regular meetings, incentives, and celebrations of special occasions. She is also a strong proponent of transparent and prompt conflict resolution. “I believe it is important to share the spoils when we do well and to celebrate any special occasion,” Cindy says, noting that a leader’s vulnerability can be an asset in building a cohesive team. GOAL-DIRECTED Cindy’s inspiration stems from her desire to achieve her own goals. “I am a high achiever, and I am very goal-directed,” she says. Every year, Cindy sets measurable goals across all aspects of her life, reviewing them weekly to maintain focus. “I find it very motivational to achieve stretch goals. I am never without goals,” she adds. Cindy lives by the mantra, “Action is the antidote to despair,” using her ambitious spirit to create momentum in both her personal and professional life. Cindy has high hopes for the future of KwaZulu- Natal. “I believe that our province is bursting with potential,” she says. Cindy foresees significant growth in the property, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. She encourages local business people to take more calculated risks and to have renewed faith in KwaZulu-Natal’s potential. “The people in KZN are friendly, resilient, humble, and hard-working,” Cindy notes, expressing her belief that the province can reach new heights in the coming years. Cindy lives by the motto, “Nobody became poor by giving.” She believes in making the world a better place and feels that everyone has a unique gift to share. “I try to do something good for someone in need every single day,” she says. Cindy remains committed to creating hope in KwaZulu-Natal and tirelessly works through both her business and her charity to make a positive impact. Previous Next

< Back Next > Yugashani Pragasan Founder, Minimorphosis Yugashani Pragasan, founder of Minimorphosis, an educational consultation and parental coaching business, describes her path as one deeply rooted in her love for child development and education. “I’ve always been passionate about helping children reach their full potential,” she says. “My journey has taken me from early childhood development to life coaching, and I’ve studied various approaches like Montessori teaching, youth development, and the art of positive parenting. Currently, I’m furthering my skills in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP).” Raised in Phoenix, Yugashani’s passion emerged from diverse experiences both in South Africa and abroad, shaping the foundation of her career. A Diverse Path Yugashani’s journey began at 18, when she took a gap year to work as an au pair in the United States. “Leaving South Africa and going to the US opened my eyes. That experience ignited a passion for child development.” After returning home, she pursued studies in youth development, followed by practical experience in early childhood development and Montessori teaching. Her pursuit of diverse experiences didn’t stop there. She went on to work as an au pair in Europe and later joined Disney Cruise Line as one of the onboard managers for the kids’ club. Reflecting on her time with Disney, Yugashani says, “It was a fantastic experience. I learned so much about different cultures and child development in unique environments. I was responsible for managing children’s activities, ensuring they were safe and engaged, and that taught me invaluable lessons about understanding children’s needs.” However, like many others, the Covid-19 pandemic brought her back to South Africa. “Coming back was the opportunity I needed to truly step into my purpose,” she shares. “Assisting parents on how to adapt to the new normal with their children, from establishing routines to managing behavioural challenges. The demand for support in parental coaching and alternative education was evident,” she explains. This shift led to the creation of Minimorphosis, where her passion for child development truly flourished. Minimorphosis is not just about teaching children; it focuses on the holistic development of each child. “I look at everything that affects the child’s growth — cognitive development, social and emotional well-being, the home environment, and even the extra activities they engage in,” says Yugashani. She takes pride in offering personalised coaching to parents, helping them achieve specific goals for their children while ensuring that the overall approach aligns with their needs. Parents often approach Yugashani for advice on a range of issues, from establishing good sleep routines and managing discipline to encouraging balanced eating habits, supporting cognitive development, and developing fine and gross motor skills. Her training in the art of positive parenting, acquired during her time in the United States, aligns seamlessly with her life coaching approach. “My goal is to guide parents towards a better understanding of their children’s behaviour,” she notes, emphasising that each child is unique, and parenting techniques must be adaptable to meet those needs. “Today’s children face a lot of social and emotional challenges — there’s so much pressure to perform well and to fit in socially,” she observes. “Through my work, I aim to help children understand themselves better and assist parents in supporting them. It’s about shaping a generation that is emotionally resilient and self-aware.” Embracing Growth When reflecting on her achievements, Yugashani considers her ongoing success in the face of adversity to be her greatest accomplishment. “Life hasn’t always been easy,” she admits. “I’ve faced many challenges, both personally and professionally. But I choose to focus on the lessons learned and keep moving forward, always believing that there’s something better ahead.” She believes that growth comes from accepting past experiences, no matter how dark, and using them as stepping stones rather than obstacles. “You have to recognise the challenges and understand that they are there to teach you something. It’s important to learn from them and not let them define you,” she advises. “I think my experiences allow me to empathise better with diverse situations, helping parents and children from different backgrounds,” she says. Yugashani is particularly motivated by witnessing the transformations in families. “The changes I see when parents begin to understand why their children behave in certain ways are incredibly rewarding. Many parents initially think their child is just stubborn or misbehaving, but when they start to parent differently, it brings out the best in the child,” she says with a smile. This inspiration drives her to continue expanding her services and reaching out to more families. Looking ahead, Yugashani’s dream is to establish a centre that provides comprehensive support for families. “I envision a holistic centre where parents and children can come for a range of services — occupational therapy, speech therapy, educational consultations, and life coaching,” she explains. “I would love to reach the communities that can’t afford these services. If my business could achieve a financial status, or if I could find the right funding, that would be the dream; giving back to those who need it the most,” she expresses passionately. For young women, Yugashani offers simple yet profound advice: “Embrace life and find happiness in every moment. Don’t get stuck in your challenges; use them as opportunities for growth. There’s always a way forward. Happiness comes from gratitude, and that’s what really matters.” Balancing her demanding career with personal time is also a priority for her. “I force myself to take breaks because it’s important to find balance,” she shares. “Whether it’s a walk on the beach, reading a good book, or just relaxing at home, taking time to recharge is crucial.” In her own words, Yugashani Pragasan is “living most of her dream,” but she continues to strive for more. Through Minimorphosis, she aims to create a positive impact on children and their families, one step at a time. As she puts it, “This is my soul’s purpose—helping children and families grow. It’s what I was meant to do.” < Previous Next >

The mission of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture is to provide world-class services in arts and culture for the people of KwaZulu-Natal by developing and promoting arts and culture and mainstreaming its role in social development; developing and promoting previously marginalised languages and enhancing linguistic diversity; collecting, managing and preserving archival, museum and other forms of information resources; and integrating and providing seamless art and culture services to the communities.  Subscribe Subscribe Sports, Arts and Culture MEC: Amanda Bani-Mapena Contact details Physical: 222 Jabu Ndlovu Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3200 Postal: Private Bag X9140, Pietermaritzburg, 3200 Tel: 033 264 3400 Fax: 033 394 2237 Web: www.kzndac.gov.za The mission of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture is to provide world-class services in arts and culture for the people of KwaZulu-Natal by developing and promoting arts and culture and mainstreaming its role in social development; developing and promoting previously marginalised languages and enhancing linguistic diversity; collecting, managing and preserving archival, museum and other forms of information resources; and integrating and providing seamless art and culture services to the communities. Back to government departments

Saantha Naidu Next Previous Saantha Naidu is the chief executive officer of Saantha Naidu Group Saantha Naidu is the chief executive officer of Saantha Naidu Group. He says he got into the hospitality industry by accident 30 years ago, when in 1993, several entrepreneurs, including him, acquired a holiday apartment building on Durban’s Golden Mile, the Coastlands Durban Hotel, and self-catering apartments. In 2007, Saantha acquired a property next to his residential home on the popular Peter Mokaba Road in Musgrave, and the plan was to develop upmarket residential apartments. However, during the construction phase, it was decided to adapt this building according to the requirements of a hotel, which then opened as a four-star graded hotel in November 2009. One year later, November 2010, saw the launch of another hotel, which has become a landmark in Umhlanga, Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel and Convention Centre, situated on Umhlanga Ridge, a booming corporate and leisure node. In 2015, Coastlands Hotels and Resorts added the iconic Royal Hotel to its portfolio. In respect of the Royal Hotel, Saantha said, “Owning the property is something we are excited about, It is a place of historical value that everyone can relate to.” THE PERFECT LIFESTYLE The latest addition to the group’s portfolio is The Skye, a billion rand plus luxury property which is a mixed-use development comprising upmarket residential apartments with drive-up access, retail and commercial spaces, and a 118-bedroom, four-star graded hotel, Coastlands Skye Hotel, which opened its doors to the public in April 2024. This development is located in a quiet cul-de-sac in Ridgeside, Umhlanga. Saantha says his vision for The Skye is to have multiple generations living upstairs and working downstairs, with shopping facilities and restaurants closing the experiential loop. “It is all about creating the perfect lifestyle living environment into which people can retire. And even though our demographic includes retirees and those approaching retirement age, The Skye provides a luxury lifestyle for families of all ages with a welcoming child-friendly environment underpinned by world-class security measures.” Coastlands Hotels and Resorts has also acquired apartments in Umdloti and on KwaZulu-Natal’s most prestigious Zimbali golf and lifestyle estate. When it comes to what inspires Saantha in this business, he says, “What inspires me the most is employing people, we employ around 800 people today and that helps put food on the table for about 5000 people – that inspires me a lot.” LEARN FROM OTHERS He says the hospitality industry is very challenging and getting into it was difficult. Today, Coastlands Hotels and Resorts is the largest privately black- owned hotel group in KwaZulu-Natal. Saantha says he has been successful because of the people he has around him, “Firstly, I have a lovely family who supports me, and secondly, I have staff that have been with us over 25 years. My success is basically because of the people around me.” He says that his staff are part of the family and that there is nothing that they do without first discussing decisions with senior management. “I do not do anything without other people’s advice. We are there to learn from others and I believe that others can teach us.” For Saantha service is the most important thing in the hospitality industry. “Details, making sure the customers come first, treating them with the utmost respect, giving them what they deserve.” He says they try to give the ‘home away from home’ experience for their customers. All his children are involved in the business and he says they have a fantastic relationship where they are very open, and they have discussions on every aspect regarding the business. SERVE THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU When it comes to after hours, he says that exercise is very important to him, and he really enjoys walks on the beach in his spare time. Saantha gets up at 5.30 a.m. every morning and walks on the beach and is back home by 7a.m. He works a good ten to eleven hours a day. He also enjoys listening to good music and spending time with his grandchildren. His advice to people, “Work hard, be honest and sincere, put others first before yourself.” He says, “Serve the people around you, do what is best for everybody, you must be able to sleep at night with no regrets.” Previous Next

< Back Jasmeena Shiba

< Back Lindiwe Rakharebe Next Lindiwe holds a bachelor's degree in management leadership from the University of the Free State as well as other qualifications in marketing management and management development. Over her 30 years in the corporate environment, Lindiwe has repeatedly proven her ability in strategic management and leading high-performance teams LINDIWE RAKHAREBE, the CEO of the Durban ICC, is affectionately known as the "mother of the house" by her team. Lindiwe holds a bachelor's degree in management leadership from the University of the Free State as well as other qualifications in marketing management and management development. Over her 30 years in the corporate environment, Lindiwe has repeatedly proven her ability in strategic management and leading high-performance teams. She has served in a management capacity for all four of South Africa's major banking institutions. Consequently, the forward momentum of the Durban ICC has been propelled by Lindiwe's strong background in corporate management as well as her passion and dedication in growing the KwaZulu- Natal economy. Lindiwe said, "I am driven to achieve excellence in every way in my duty and delegation." Since its foundation, the Durban ICC has made an immense contribution to both the provincial and national economies. During the past financial year, R6.3-billion was added to South Africa's GDP and no less than 14 000 jobs were created and sustained as a result of the Durban ICC's activities. A Concerted Effort Lindiwe said, "I believe our continued success is a result of a concerted effort between the Board, our staff, our strategic partners in the City and Province and the loyal support of our clients. This effort coupled with our balanced strategy and diligent management at all levels of the organisation all help to contribute to the overall success of the Durban ICC." Lindiwe strongly believes that the Durban ICC has an important role to play in promoting sustainable economic growth for eThekwini, especially in the area of job creation. "For every individual attending a conference or exhibition at the Durban ICC, either as an exhibitor, delegate or visitor, there are positive economic spin-offs for local businesses. I would like to see continued meaningful enterprise development for SMMEs taking place at a grass-roots level." Under her leadership the Durban ICC has won several awards including the World Travel Awards as Africa's Leading Meetings and Conference Centre and a KZN Premier's Service Excellence Award in 2018. The Durban ICC is ranked in the top 1% of all convention centres globally and is the only convention centre on the African continent to make that list. Exceed our clients' expectations She says, "Whilst we celebrate all the good strides we have made in business, we must be mindful that there is still a lot more that needs to be done. The most important thing in remaining Africa's leading conference centre is that we exceed our clients' expectations and provide an exceptional experience for each and every event we host. We need to make sure that when we open the doors to our customers that they experience the warmth and the great service that we have at the Durban ICC." Empowering others to achieve their highest performance by instilling confidence in all of her team is an important part of Lindiwe's daily activities. "I believe I have an ability to bring the best out of people, enabling them to perform at their optimum. My staff tells me that I lead with love and respect, which motivates them to give their best effort and this ultimately benefits the organisation," said Lindiwe. A woman influences everything she touches As a staunch advocate of gender-equality and women empowerment, Lindiwe has made a personal and professional pledge to making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Her passion for women's empowerment issues has resulted in her serving on the board of the KwaZulu-Natal Network on Violence Against Women.. In addition, Lindiwe is well aware of the challenges of a being a woman leader in the often male-dominated world of business. She commented, "As a woman, you are gifted; you are a natural life-giver and whatever you give life to will increase and grow. So whatever challenges you face as a woman, you know how to manoeuvre, whether it's leading a company or propelling a cause. I believe a woman influences everything she touches." Companies must put strategies and action plans that are measurable and sustainable in place to advance women. Only when people are held accountable to these plans will their full impact truly be felt," she said. Serve a higher purpose Lindiwe is a self-confessed perpetual learner who places a high value on education and imparting knowledge in order to uplift the lives of others. "We are born with different skills-sets and have been put on earth to serve a higher purpose in life. The extent to which your unique skills are used to uplift others is the extent to which your fulfilment will be found," she said. "Treat others the way you would like to be treated. As a champion of equality, I have a vision for a world in which all human beings are comfortable with cultural diversity and where uncompromising respect exists for one another. It all starts with teachings at home." The mother of four and grandmother of two, says nothing supersedes the value of being a mother and the importance of belonging to a family. Lindiwe places a premium on the importance of work-life balance. Lindiwe said in the quest for success, it was important to respect yourself and have your feet firmly on the ground. "Humility is an important quality. Believe in yourself and love what you do. Be open to learning and make the best of opportunities that are available." Previous Next