< Back Labournet Johan van Deventer is the KZN regional manager at . He is energetic and committed, with a strong understanding of human resources, which is all about managing people in a workplace. Johan knows how organisations work - their systems and rules - and uses this knowledge to help businesses succeed. He values the importance of building good relationships in a professional setting, believing that these connections are crucial for business growth. In simple terms, Johan helps companies get better at what they do by understanding both the people and the processes involved. Labournet The BLOG Read all about it READ MORE

Prof Singh has served on several national and international committees related to his areas of interest in education. He has presented at many conferences and his research has been published in journals both locally and internationally Subscribe Home KZN Leaders Up Up Prof Anesh Maniraj Singh Prof Singh has served on several national and international committees related to his areas of interest in education. He has presented at many conferences and his research has been published in journals both locally and internationally I don't talk about it - I just do it PROF ANESH MANIRAJ SINGH has a long history as an academic, having obtained BA, MBA and DBA degrees from the University of Durban-Westville. Since 1999, he has been in the employ of the university; a period of 20 years. In that time, he has worked his way up the ladder from a temporary lecturer through several academic roles and leadership positions at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). These are interim head of Information Systems and Technology, Deans Assistant - Research, Head of the Graduate School of Business, and dean and head of the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance. One of the highlights of his career was leading the Graduate School of Business to be recognised as the Top Brand in KwaZulu-Natal in 2011. In addition, he has served as an executive member of the IT Standards Generating Body of SA and served on the Education Portfolio of the Computer Society of South Africa - KZN Chapter. He was also the national vice president of marketing of the Computer Society of South Africa in 2005 and 2006. Prof Singh has served on several national and international committees related to his areas of interest in education. He has presented at many conferences and his research has been published in journals both locally and internationally. When the position of executive director of the UKZN Foundation became vacant, he was asked to take on the role. This was a position of responsibility that Prof Singh was happy to accept, and he was appointed as the executive director of the Foundation in 2016. He commented, "I felt that I would be able to do a lot more for the university than from a position of a single school but rather from one that looks at the total university and finding solutions for all the students." The UKZN Foundation is the official fundraising arm of the institution. "The primary function of the Foundation is to provide a professional fund-raising service that benefits all stakeholders, including students, academics, society and the various strategic projects of UKZN," said Prof Singh. "I work with a team of eleven people who are every dedicated to ensuring that we raise funding for the university and its initiatives." The funding is directed towards teaching and learning support, research support, community engagement, and most importantly student funding, which includes bursaries, disability support and food security. "I believe I am successful because I am now at a point in my life where I can give back, I am successful because I can make a difference in other people's lives." Of importance is that the UKZN Foundation strives to cultivate a strong relationship with donors, which typically consists of trusts, foundations, businesses, high net worth individuals, alumni and the general public. Said Prof Singh, "Maintaining these relationships is essential to driving the UKZN Foundation's fundraising programme." He said further, "It does not matter, the size of the donation ? big or small, we appreciate all our donors equally." Prof Singh said that his late father made a strong impression on his life by two maxims: "be true to yourself" and "hard work does not kill you". These are maxims which he puts into practice daily. He says that his role is about building relationships as these firstly open doors, afterwards you need to get to know people and earn their trust, donations follow thereafter. "I try to maximise my time and it is very important that I spend more than 50% of this out of the office. Donors are not sitting at the university, they are out in industry and I have to be where they are. UKZN needs the support of the business community to engage more effectively and to invest in the city, the province of KZN and ultimately the country." He concluded, "My motto is very similar to Nike but is quite different: I don't talk about it - I just do it."

Identify a career path that is in-line with who you are, that ignites passion in you as well as purpose < Back Portia Mthembu Head, Private Clients (Non-Metro) within Consumer & High Net Worth Clients (CHNW), Msunduzi Area, KZN Portia Mthembu has been in the employ of Standard Bank for the past 17 years. During this time Portia has fulfilled various roles within the bank and successfully led big Standard Bank branches in KwaZulu-Natal and has ensured their financial growth and sustainability. In 2019, Portia was recognised with a ‘Mark of Excellence’ trip to Brazil, which was a true testament to hard work and persistence. She previously worked as a distribution manager for the Dolphin Coast area and has recently been promoted to Head, Private Clients (Non-Metro) within CHNW, Msunduzi Area. Portia’s entry into banking started while working for a broker. She was the company representative at a small business enterprise exhibition and the Standard Bank senior manager alongside her stand, was really impressed at her interactions with customers. Portia said, “He offered me a job and asked me if I could come for an interview on Monday, so I did, and it’s been a very successful and enjoyable past 17 years of my life.” Consistent hard work Commenting on her professional journey, Portia says that she got to where she is today because of hard work. “It’s been consistent hard work, commitment to the journey, and consistent in how I do my work for myself within the organisation as a brand.” However, she says that she has been blessed by the support she has received throughout her years in Standard Bank. This includes continuous mentoring and coaching that enables Portia to do her work at the best of her ability. “The bank is committed to invest in my ongoing development at a personal and business level,” explains Portia. “I have taken a lot of people along with me on my journey. I have identified gaps that needed change, and I have been advocating change, but more than anything, bring fresh perspective, ensuring that people understand the purpose of what we do, where it’s bigger than just a job working for the bank, we are touching people’s lives and that must be a memorable experience every single day.” My best foot forward In reflecting on the people that have inspired her journey, Portia says that they are the women that have paved the way for her to be sitting where she is today and be afforded the opportunities to showcase her abilities. Portia is also inspired by the provincial leadership of Standard Bank in KZN. “The leadership believes in me more than I thought is possible and I truly then strive to always put my best foot forward in honour of the faith that they have in me.” Lastly, she is inspired by Funeka Montjane, the Standard Bank’s CEO of Consumer High Net Worth clients. “She is a phenomenal and dynamic woman who has changed the narrative of banking, which is now more personal. It’s now offering our customers a service more than just a transaction between a banker and a customer. Funeka has also taken other women with her on her journey, which is what I’ve been admiring. I can confidently say I’m standing on the shoulders of giants, and I also boldly press forward to not disappoint.” Changing the narrative However, there have been many challenges for Portia in her career. A pivotal point was when she was appointed as a manager in a community which had stereotypes about black women’s abilities. “I had two things in mind; firstly, I had to honour the bank’s faith placed in me in that environment and secondly; I had to change the narrative of how the community perceived a black woman. What was comforting was that I had a very supportive leadership around me, and I was constantly coached on how to deal with such complexities and on the bank’s processes of handling such matters. I was also reminded of my own rights as a human being.” Portia said that she had to invest in herself aggressively because she needed to show up confidently and be knowledgeable in order to prove that she had what it takes to fulfil that role. “That experience shaped me to be the confident and diverse leader that I am today. It also addressed my own stereotypes that I didn’t know existed. I had to unlearn things for me to be relevant in the community in which I operated in; I’m truly grateful for that experience.” Her future goals are to add more value within the organisation. Portia believes that she can fulfil other senior roles where she will make a significant impact. One of her goals is to groom more black women in any environment that she operates in. She would like to do more work honouring the women she spoke of which is also her passion. Portia would like to continue to partner with her leaders to grow more people, identify more talent, and enable them to thrive within the bank. “I would say to women following in my role; firstly, you need to identify a career path that is in-line with who you are, that ignites passion in you as well as purpose and then you will certainly excel in your work. Secondly, to earn a space at the table, you need to believe in yourself, which talks to building confidence in your abilities, loving your personality, your perspective, and experiences, so that you can show up confidently, and gain credibility and respect from people around you. Thereafter, the biggest key is consistency, in terms of always putting your best foot forward.” Aspire to add value Further to her career, Portia is the proud mother of three beautiful children and has a loving and supportive husband. Portia concluded, “I aspire to add value and excel in any environment with which I have been entrusted. I have been blessed to be part of the Standard Bank family; my blood is blue, and I am proud of it.”

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