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< Back Next Kervin Budram Kervin Budram heads up the finance department of Aberdare Cables Kervin Budram heads up the finance depart- ment of Aberdare Cables. Alongside his finance responsibilities, he takes on business analyst roles and some general management duties. His journey began and continues in the City of Pieter- maritzburg. Kervin attended various primary schools before completing his high school education at Heather Secondary School, where he matriculated. After finishing school, Kervin initially pursued studies in electronic engineering. However, due to financial constraints to support his studies, Kervin worked part-time, which caused him to change career paths, choosing finance and business studies. Kervin mentioned that while studying electronics engineering, he worked part-time at Tastic Rice Mills. His days were challenging, attending lectures from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and then working night shifts from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. to sustain himself. “It was quite difficult,” he recalls, as he balanced work and studies. EVOLVING CAREER Kervin started his professional journey as a data capture clerk in the creditors’ department of Aber- dare Cables. While working, he pursued a national diploma in financial and corporate accounting, majoring in accounting and law. He later went on to complete postgraduate studies (passed Cum laude), including the Programme for Management Development at the University of Cape Town (completed with distinction). Kervin’s academic growth paralleled his career advancement, moving from a data capture clerk to a creditors’ clerk, and eventually into cost accounting roles. He became a cost analyst, then a cost accountant, and finally, a financial controller, a position he held for several years. During his time as a financial controller, Kervin was introduced to SAP (Systems, Applications, and Products), specialising in financial and costing aspects. He attended the SAP Graduate School in Sandton, where he honed his skills in this area. When asked about his purpose in his current role, Kervin emphasises continuous growth and improvement. “I think we all seek to see some kind of continuous growth and improvement, to just be better than where we were before,” he says. He believes in striving to be better each day, whether through small, gradual improvements or major breakthroughs, both for himself and for the company. ETHICS AND INTEGRITY One of Kervin’s proudest accomplishments came early in his career while studying electronics engineering. At the time, he was working in a subsidised repair centre. One day, an elderly lady who was a pensioner brought in a television set that only needed a small repair, costing just a few rands. However, the owner of the business insisted on charging her an exorbitant amount. Kervin stood his ground, refusing to overcharge her. “I will struggle, but I will do it ethically,” he told the owner. This experience led Kervin to leave the repair business and enter the cable industry, where he has remained ever since. “Standing up for what I believed was right at the time might seem insignificant to others, but it was a significant accomplishment for me as it opened another door while keeping my ethics and integrity intact,” he reflected. In terms of the best advice he has received, Kervin fondly remembers a teacher who encouraged students to envision their future. The teacher would ask them to ‘Envision where we see ourselves in one year, five years, ten years’ time and to dream big’. This advice had a lasting impact on Kervin, who continues to set goals and chase after his dreams. Kervin has faced many challenges throughout his career but is indeed grateful to his close circle of family and friends who helped him overcome many obstacles in both his work and personal life. STAY OPTIMISTIC Keeping his team motivated during challenging times is something Kervin takes seriously. “I tend to be the one who almost always goes around smiling or creating a smile in others,” he says. Kervin understands that if he stays optimistic, his team is likely to follow suit. He focuses on highlighting the good in situations and encourages his team to look beyond the challenges. “If they see that you are looking forward and you’re leading from the front, then they tend to follow you and go by your lead.” Kervin draws inspiration from various sources, including books and successful people around him. The stories of people who have overcome challenges to achieve success are a source of motivation. “I love success stories... and just putting my hand to the plough with them,” he says. Looking ahead, Kervin is optimistic about the future of KwaZulu-Natal. Despite the challenges and low economic growth, he believes in the potential for positive change. “We’re going to have a much better five years to come than probably the last five or even ten years that we’ve had,” he says. Kervin finds inspiration in the diverse opportunities in the region and the resilience of the people working to make a difference. “At work we’ve got a thing called ‘Gemba’ which is Japanese for ‘go and see’. A lot of us sit behind our desks and read online or in the newspapers how bleak things might be. But when we go and see, you suddenly see how much growth potential is out there.” In his personal life, Kervin actively seeks opportunities to serve the community, mainly through churches and non-profit organisations. He is a director on the board of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business. Kervin continues to study, and recently completed his studies at the Calvary Bible Institute, finishing as the top student and passing summa cum laude. He is also building quite a reputation as a Toastmaster, master of ceremony and even a stand- up comedian! Together with his wife, Kogi, Kervin is part of KwaZulu-Natal Aquatics, initially fulfilling the role of timekeeper and recently as a judge in the various swimming galas within the province. He pursues this avenue to be close to his twin daughters who aspire to swim at the highest level. Kervin lives by a motto shared by one of his teachers: “Hang loose but stay vibrantly alive.” It is a motto that is real challenge but reflects his approach to life and work. Previous Next

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Illovo Sugar Home "The Blog" Illovo Sugar ATTRACTING ATTENTION IN STYLE - MOTOR SENSE Coffee with Grant Dec 9 3 min read GRIEVANCES IN THE WORKPLACE - DRG Outsourcing KZN Business Sense Dec 9 5 min read FESTIVE SEASON RISKS CRIME, SAFETY AND MEDICAL EMERGENCIES - Mobi Ventures KZN Business Sense Dec 9 4 min read NEW INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS SPARKED- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Foundation University of KwaZulu-Natal Dec 9 2 min read DEALING WITH THE JONESES TYSON PROPERTIES ADVISES BUYERS ON SPOTTING POTENTIAL PROBLEM NEIGHBOURS Tyson Properties Dec 9 4 min read REINVENTION: AND WHY EVERY GREAT BUSINESS NEEDS IT, INCLUDING OURS- ActionCOACH ActionCOACH Trevor Clark Dec 9 4 min read MOBILE COOLING MADE EASY- SKY TENTS Sky Tents Dec 9 2 min read LABOURNET’S INNOVATIVE PAYROLL SOLUTIONS:REVOLUTIONISING RETAIL OPERATIONS KZN Business Sense Dec 9 3 min read GROUNDED APPROACH TO BOTH LIFE AND BUSINESS- Ocean Driven Media KZN Business Sense Dec 9 3 min read DO YOU KNOW WITH WHOM YOU ARE DOING BUSINESS? -Cox Yeats Attorneys Cox Yeats Attorneys Dec 9 3 min read LEADING WITH HEART,VISION AND PURPOSE Gagasi FM Dec 9 4 min read Minenhle Dlamini's Journey to Gagasi FM Managing Director KZN Business Sense Nov 22 1 min read DURBAN AND CHINA CEMENT GROWING ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP KZN Business Sense Nov 13 2 min read Investment Pledges at the KwaZulu-Natal Conference KZN Business Sense Nov 11 2 min read Empowering KZN's Business Community: The Role of KZN Business Sense KZN Business Sense Nov 5 1 min read INFLUX OF CHEAP IMPORTS AND COUNTERFEIT GOODS KZN Business Sense Nov 3 2 min read DURBAN ANNOUNCED AS AFRICAN HUB FOR ALIBABA’S EXPANSION KZN Business Sense Oct 23 1 min read A good week for Michelle Phillips KZN Business Sense Oct 21 2 min read October Business Masterclass: Energy, Focus & the Future of Digital Growth - Limited Seats Left! KZN Business Sense Oct 20 2 min read AFRISAM CONCRETE SUPPORTS COMPLEX WATER TOWER PROJECT IN GAUTENG KZN Business Sense Oct 20 2 min read A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO BUILDING BETTER BUSINESSES KZN Business Sense Oct 16 5 min read MAKING HISTORY: FIRST PERSON FROM AFRICA ELECTED PRESIDENT IN 100 YEARS KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read DURABLE CANVAS TENTS FOR EVERY NEED KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read NAVIGATING CHANGE: INSIGHTS FROM THE KPMG FAMILY BUSINESS CONFERENCE KZN Business Sense Oct 16 4 min read ‘THE GOLF COAST’ SHOWS POTENTIAL IN KZN KZN Business Sense Oct 16 3 min read THE AWARDS FINALISTS ARE ANNOUNCED IN MINARA’S 25TH MILESTONE YEAR KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read HYUNDAI SANTA FE HYBRID TICKS THE BOXES KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read 20 VISION STATEMENTS THAT ACTUALLY INSPIRE (AND HOW YOURS CAN TOO) KZN Business Sense Oct 16 3 min read CASH-IN-TRANSIT HEISTS, HOW KZN BECAME GROUND ZERO KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read THE OUT-SOURCED IN-HOUSE ACCOUNTANT KZN Business Sense Oct 16 4 min read ELAVATING WOMEN IN KWAZULU-NATAL KZN Business Sense Oct 16 3 min read ‘BEYOND THE NOISE’ THEME EXPLORED AT THE KZN TOP BUSINESS LAUNCH KZN Business Sense Oct 16 1 min read CITY’S INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES SHOWCASED INTERNATIONALLY KZN Business Sense Oct 16 3 min read HOW HR CAN SAFEGUARD YOUR ORGANISATION AGAINST FIC VIOLATIONS KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read POWERING FINANCIAL AGILITY AND GROWTH ACROSS KWAZULU-NATAL KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read REFORMING SOUTH AFRICA’S FAILING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE KZN Business Sense Oct 16 3 min read NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT WHEN CAN CONSULTANTS CHARGE TIME-BASED FEES? KZN Business Sense Oct 16 3 min read UNFAIR DISMISSAL IN SOUTH AFRICA: LEGAL PROCESSES AND PRACTICAL TIPS KZN Business Sense Oct 16 5 min read LEADING WITH IMPACT AND PURPOSE KZN Business Sense Oct 16 4 min read MARKING MILESTONES, SHAPING THE FUTURE KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read INGWE Property : Understanding What Matters Most When Buying a Home KZN Business Sense Aug 28 1 min read Meet the Women of Avemel Logistics ! KZN Business Sense Aug 28 1 min read THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MISCONDUCT AND PERFORMANCE KZN Business Sense Aug 22 5 min read A DECADE OF VISION, RESILIENCE, AND GROWTH KZN Business Sense Aug 22 2 min read WORKING ‘ON’ VS ‘IN’ YOUR BUSINESS KZN Business Sense Aug 22 3 min read MEDICAL EMERGENCIES IN THE WORKPLACE: THE GOLDEN HOUR KZN Business Sense Aug 22 3 min read WHY HIRE A SOUTH AFRICAN MEDIA TEAM OVERSEAS? KZN Business Sense Aug 22 3 min read TRUST TERMINATION: WHY IT’S TIME TO ACT KZN Business Sense Aug 22 3 min read MORE THAN JUST SARS: THE FOUR FINANCIAL PILLARS OF BUSINESS KZN Business Sense Aug 22 4 min read NOMINATIONS OPEN KZN Business Sense Aug 22 2 min read

This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is a Title 03 Anele Msweli < Back In 2017 Anele started the brand as passion project while she was living in China. The niche brand has developed into a full-time business with growing demand for its products. Anele and her three sisters were raised by their mother in Montclair, where she attended Mowat Park High. She then attended Rhodes University, where she completed a Bachelor of Earth Sciences degree. The name ‘Mare & Itis’ has its origins in Anele’s student days at Rhodes. She explains, ‘Mare’ is word students at Rhodes use to meaning a fun time. ‘Itis’ is used to describe that sleepy feeling one gets after eating a large meal; “magie vol, ogies toe”. I decided to put these two concepts together to create something that is quint essentially me. I love a good time and I love food.” After completing her degree, Anele volunteered for Greenpeace Africa. She says, ‘The most memorable part of this journey was on board the Rainbow Warrior: I learnt so much from sailing with an eclectic and multinational crew.” ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS In 2016 Anele moved to Harbin, one of the most northerly cities in China, which as it is situated near Siberia has long and freezing winters. The temperature can reach a very low -40 degrees centigrade. During this time, Anele was using Chinese products for her skin and hair care until she developed allergic reactions to these including her hair starting to fall out. In addition, Anele found it difficult to find suitable cleaning products especially as she was unable to read the labels on the products she was using. This is when, Anele explained, she decided to make her own cleaning products using all natural ingredients. The first product was the prototype for the popular Zesty Kitchen cleaner, which she made from vinegar and lemon. The small business grew from there with requests from friends to make additional products. Countless hours of research led her to a love for essential oils and natural products. Anele then moved to Wuqing, a small district in Tianjin, where she worked long hours as a Montessori English teacher and training coordinator. However, the demand for her products grew and she started selling them in a local market as well as online. ALL OR NOTHING In 2020 Anele’s visit to South Africa for a wedding – with one suitcase – coincided with outbreak of Covid which meant that she was unable to return to China. This also mean that she needed to focus on her fledgling business in order to earn an income. “The year 2020 will always remain a significant year for me and for the brand. It was all or nothing, and I have learnt so much about entrepreneurship and resilience,” explained Anele. The online business has now grown into a range of 45 products including essential oils, linen, and room sprays without alcohol as well as candles and diffusers. Mare & Itis Shoppe is inspired by everything natural. “The products are non-toxic, eco-conscious as well as cruelty-free. I use plant-based ingredients which are biodegradable.” In order to be sustainable all products are supplied in glass bottles, which are reused when returned to her. As a ‘garage’ business Anele is responsible for all aspects of the day to day running. She formulates and tests all products, does the packaging, runs accounts as well as handles all logistics and social media marketing. Apart from her online store, Anele has a number of instore stockists around the country. JUST DO YOUR BEST In speaking of who inspires her Anele says that she loves listening to podcasts including those by Oprah and interior decorator Karin Bohn. She added that she is inspired by her partner who is also an entrepreneur. Anele commented, “However it’s the day-to-day people that are trying to just make things work, the people who just do their best who inspire me the most.” A major challenge in her entrepreneurial journey is that she has not had any funding and has had to rely on her own resources. Other challenges included, “Surviving through Covid which was a major challenge especially as being a non-essential business I experienced shortages in packaging. The rand price and the economy are a constant challenge!” However, she believes that her success has been based on her perseverance as well as being consistent. “It’s important to keep up the same pace no matter what ’waves’ you face,” said Anele. FOLLOW THE DREAM Looking to the future, Anele has set huge goals for herself. As she is really proud of her products and would like to showcase them in the UAE, Anele has obtained an export/ import licence. However, in order to follow her dream, she would have to increase the production of her products substantially. Her advice to young people considering an entrepreneurial journey would be to ‘just start’. “You can learn as you go and figure things out. But you need to set goals for yourself. I am constantly pushing myself to achieve and set new goals at the beginning of each year and again every three months.” In her free time, Anele makes sure to keep both her brain and her hands busy. She enjoys listening to podcasts and reading and loves to sew, knit as well as spends time at the gym and enjoys a regular 5km walk on the Durban promenade every Sunday. Previous Next

< Back Eleni Kwinana Next ELENI KWINANA has notched up an admirable list of top positions. She began climbing the corporate ladder as an 18-year-old student who, after walking into CNA to request a job, within three months was tasked with taking up her first management role. A few years later, she was requested to draft a business plan - without a template, or previous exposure to such a big responsibility - overnight! It gained her boss the new store he wanted, and wet her appetite for bigger and better things in business. ELENI KWINANA has notched up an admirable list of top positions. She began climbing the corporate ladder as an 18-year-old student who, after walking into CNA to request a job, within three months was tasked with taking up her first management role. A few years later, she was requested to draft a business plan - without a template, or previous exposure to such a big responsibility - overnight! It gained her boss the new store he wanted, and wet her appetite for bigger and better things in business. Eleni's career includes positions at the Spar Group, Clicks, Musica and Dimension Data among others. These diverse experiences have enabled her to provide on-point business advice in a range of fields. As well as running the business units of Vodacom enterprises, she is on the board of SmartXchange, Durban, which nurtures entrepreneurs and incubates businesses to achieve success. Achieving growth through technology Eleni describes her role in Vodacom as enabling start-ups and SMMEs to thrive in the 4IR digital era, achieving growth through technology. The pride Eleni feels in providing a supportive role is apparent when she describes her business venture, Pure Pharmacy, which supports small pharmacies in rural areas and mining towns to withstand the threat posed by corporate pharmacy groups, thus ensuring their sustainability. Eleni is happy with her accomplishments saying, "not many can tick all the boxes at my age". Adding that she's realised that "Either I would die young, having done everything, or I would live to give back to others." Eleni looks at people who have great ideas, but lack skills and experience, and can't wait to start imparting her learning to fast track their success. She's enthusiastic about being their cheerleader and "seeing them grow to be a billionaire one day!". She attributes her success to her formal education, and the support of others. She graduated with a psychology degree after transferring from medicine. "It was the right decision as now, in the 4IR, doctors could be replaced with robots capable of making diagnoses while my focus on emotional intelligence makes me less likely to become redundant." Eleni disagrees that women need a different approach from men to achieve success in business and stresses the importance of being yourself. "There's nothing more precious than being authentic," she maintains. Being an inspiration Her greatest support has been her mom who, as a domestic worker being paid less than the minimum wage, was able to leverage a network of people who assisted to support Eleni. While she stayed with a friend to get to and from school each day, her mom subsidised her studies by waking at three each morning to cook and sell 'magwinya' (vetkoek). "So", Eleni adds, "every woman I see who works in her tuckshop, or sews traditional dresses, is my 'Shero', and that's what inspires me... A lot of people have big stars as their inspiration; for me it's the millions of women sitting in rural areas and townships with children, who come up with great entrepreneurial ideas to sustain themselves and their children, and one day go to a graduation for their children, going into whatever field it may be, from nothing." Eleni herself feels under pressure to be an inspiration. "Because I was the first one to have a car, a degree, all my cousins look up to me; failing or dropping out is not an option. I cannot fail, because otherwise I will give them a reason to fail... I push myself to inspire them to be able to grow as well." Being fully present On maintaining a work-life balance, Eleni admits that the boundaries are blurred, "Because I love what I do... it doesn't feel like work," she smiles. Concerned she was spending too much time working, her daughter's affirmation was welcome, "Mom, I want to be like you... You do so many things, love what you do, and give us the best of everything." The trick, Eleni feels, is being fully present in whatever she does. Eleni's approach to life has been coloured by her life experiences. Although born into apartheid SA, she shuns the label 'previously disadvantaged'. "That's not the way I see it," she says, although she describes the dichotomy of never being quite enough of one thing or another to fit in, always feeling something of a misfit. After graduating, Eleni married, raising her two children while struggling to survive a violently abusive marriage. When she decided to leave the marriage, she was empowered by the fact that she had the financial independence to set up her own home. Eleni's advice to her younger self, who stressed a lot and wondered 'why me?', would be to enjoy every step of the journey; when having fun, have GOOD fun, and know that everything you go through is going to make sense one day. Rather than being bitter about challenges she's faced, Eleni is gracious and pragmatic about how they've enabled her to strengthen her connection with others. Partnerships are important to Eleni. As a business leader, Eleni loves her team; she never talks only about KPAs, but connects instead with the person inside, assisting them to reach their personal goals. She enjoys the warmth of KZN, and the opportunities to partner with government leaders and businesses to achieve pockets of excellence. Eleni urges people to stop exporting their skills: "Keep them here and make do with what you have because we are sitting on a pot of gold... That's how I got here". She pauses momentarily, then adds, "and because of my Mom... my biggest champion". Previous Next

< Back Next Xolani Mbambo Xolani Mbambo is the group chief executive officer of Grindrod Limited Xolani Mbambo, a seasoned executive, was appointed the group chief executive officer of Grindrod Limited, a transport and logistics company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, on 1 January 2023. Xolani is also a director of various businesses in which Grindrod has a shareholding including the chairperson of Maputo Port Development Company. Xolani completed his primary education at Kwa- Ngcolosi, outside Hillcrest, where he grew up. The area which is home to the famous Inanda Dam which is a stage two finish for the Dusi canoe marathon held annually in February. He then matriculated at uMqhawe High School. Xolani secured a bursary to continue his studies at the University of Natal in Durban, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in education and a postgraduate diploma in accounting. His studies did not end there as Xolani went on to become a qualified chartered accountant and completed the Advanced Management Programme from Harvard Business School. He is known for his integrity and ability to translate strategic themes into actionable strategic and business plans. Xolani was nominated for the 2020 Chief Financial Officer Awards. VARIOUS ROLES Coming from humble beginnings, Xolani commented that his first informal job was as a gardener in the suburb of Manor Gardens, a walking distance from the same university he would later attend. His first formal job was when he secured employment as an article clerk at Coopers and Lybrand, now known as PwC. Prior to joining Grindrod in March 2013, Xolani spent over a decade in the mining industry in various roles spanning accounting and finance, mining project execution, mining business performance analysis (iron ore, coal, and manganese), and coal marketing. During this time, he worked in Anglo American’s offices in Johannesburg and London, its then mining operation in Mpumalanga, and its gas exploration office in Gaborone. Having worked as Grindrod’s Freight Services CFO since 2013, Xolani accepted a group financial director role in September 2018. Transitioning from the group financial director role of Grindrod Limited to CEO involved working in the operations at the coal face, which was crucial in understanding the business. In February 2021, he returned to Freight Services to assume the CEO responsibilities and two years later assumed the role of CEO of Grindrod Limited group. Given Xolani’s various roles in Grindrod, it is unsurprising that the accomplishment that makes him the proudest is his appointment as Grindrod Limited’s first African CEO. Xolani says his purpose in this position is aligned to that of the company he now leads. He explained, “The purpose, particularly for Grindrod Limited is to promote Africa’s trade with the world and to touch the lives of the communities in which we operate. That is what drives us. And I am hoping that is what drives all our employees and colleagues throughout the organisation.” HARD WORK PAYS OFF Reflecting on the best advice he has ever received and how it has influenced his journey, Xolani is quick to respond with the words: “Hard work pays off.” Xolani has taken this advice to heart, which has steered his career well, noting that he has been acknowledged for his many efforts and dedication over the years. Reflecting on what he recognises in successful people, he said they have a positive attitude. They are continuously looking for solutions and ways to improve their work. This attitude impacts every- thing in their lives, both on a personal front and in the work environment. “You can’t teach attitude and work ethic,” he explains. While Xolani has faced several challenges over the years, the biggest challenge he has ever overcome was undoubtably the impact of Covid-19 in 2020. He commented that navigating the effects of Covid-19 was very challenging from a business perspective. “Operational closures due to Covid- restrictions had the potential to negatively impact job security for our colleagues. So, to navigate this crisis, we, together with the management team, implemented various cost containment and cash preservation measures to ensure that the business survived the impact of Covid-19,” explained Xolani. CLARITY OF PURPOSE Xolani added, “What I’ve realised is that in all these challenges, the clarity of purpose and strategy combined with the culture of recognition for high performance is what really keeps the team motivated.” Speaking of who or what inspires him, Xolani says that it is undoubtedly a ‘who’, as he has been inspired by his mother throughout his life. “My mother single-handedly raised three of us and provided us with the best education she could afford. She made excellent choices for me at my younger age, and my two sisters’ education and progress in our careers. Unfortunately, one of my sisters passed on.” POSITIVE IMPACT Commenting on his vision for Grindrod in the next five years, Xolani is enthusiastic about the company’s future growth. He said, “Actually, it would be very fulfilling for me to see Grindrod becoming the largest listed company in KwaZulu-Natal and achieving this through its purpose of promoting Africa’s trade with the world.” In addition, Xolani said, “Success is not only about profits. We must uplift communities in and around our operations and make a difference in society.” In his concluding comment, Xolani says that his motto echoes the advice that he values: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Previous Next

The Nic Carroll 2021 Collection Esay Reddy CEO RR Group I have found that determination and a strong mindset can get you anywhere you want to go Esay Reddy

The Nic Carroll 2021 Collection Catherine Clark Owner and Founder of The Harvest Table While we may not have much control over the things around us, the good news is that we can still take care of ourselves Catherine Clark

I am energised by learning and sharing my knowledge; helping others build their own unique brand < 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.”