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BusinessFit SAAKHONA MAHLATI is the CEO of BusinessFit, director and principal strategist for Ewe Sana Marketing and Communications, and he chairs the management committee of a school. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Marketing and Business Management from the University of Natal as well as a Strategic Marketing Certificate awarded by the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business. Akhona's working life started with a number of small part-time jobs, but his professional career commenced when he obtained a position at British American Tobacco as a marketing management trainee in Stellenbosch in the early 2000s. Mahlati then moved a few years later and worked for Capitec Bank as their brand manager. During his tenure, the bank moved from a micro-lending 'hangover', to being perceived as a challenging competitive retail bank. Post this position, Mahlati moved to Johannesburg where he worked at the Standard Bank Group and held a number of positions in the Diners Club International franchise. During the last year of his time at Diners Club, Mahlati started a business with a partner, which prompted him to drop everything in Johannesburg and move down to Durban to give the business muchneeded focus. "Needless to say, three years later the business was no longer in operation. It's after this failed business that I started lecturing part-time and started my marketing and communications business," said Mahlati. Akhona's strengths and key sources of success are believing in himself and his abilities, being resilient to the challenges of life and being self-disciplined. He says, "My children and my need to live and enjoy my dreams in this present life drive me to give of my best. I'm inspired by many events and episodes, which teach me life's great lessons." "I believe that it's in overcoming our challenges that we're able to know how strong we really are and this strength enables us to reach greater heights in our lives. It's by defeating the demons on a particular level that you're able to get to the next level." "I'm a driving visionary. When I lead, I offer the team long-term vision as I have a natural ability to inspire and communicate my vision to others. I'm insightful and perceptive, and I genuinely care about the development of others. I want to influence people positively not only in South Africa, but in other countries on our beautiful continent and globally. I want to see young people starting and growing sustainable businesses which dramatically reduce our unemployment and crime rates. Moreover, I want to see young African people pushing the boundaries of development and innovation." Mahlati added that his 'drive' is natural and not contrived. "Business and life in general are about adding value to other people. We must always try to keep things simple and not over complicate them. You can only do good business with good people. We need to try our best to remove ourselves from negative associations and unbecoming practices. The path to success is never straight and narrow. It's more of a journey of self-discovery, which eventually plants you in the path of your purpose. Once you've found your purpose, try your best to live it, enjoy it and monetise it." He reflected that he has worked with and has relationships with some of the best minds in the country. However, these are ordinary people who make things happen without seeking attention. "I've also been fortunate enough to share rooms and speaking stages with well esteemed leaders," said Mahlati. During his spare time Mahlati loves listening to music, chilling with good quality friends and enjoying meat around a braai. He sees himself as an amateur wine and champagne collector. "I also enjoy a few glasses of single malt whisky coupled with a cigar on lazy weekends. I'm not much of a TV person, but I from time to time, enjoy watching programmes related to properties, religion and travel." Up Home Up Latest News BusinessFit SA MISSION/VISION Helping business leaders and entrepreneurs build compliant, productive, engaged, and sustainable businesses. Chairman: David White Administration: Lindiwe Bhadi BUILDING BETTER BUSINESSES BusinessFit is a South African professional services company established in 2012, specialising in SME deve-lopment, business mentoring, and quality assurance. As a Level 2 Black-Owned B-BBEE enterprise, BusinessFit is committed to strengthening small and medium enterprises by helping entrepreneurs and business leaders build compliant, productive, engaged, and sustainable businesses. The company was founded on the belief that small businesses should have access to the same structured governance disciplines, practical tools, and strategic support systems that enable larger organisations to grow sustainably. In many cases, SMEs possess entrepreneurial drive and market opportunity, but lack the frameworks needed to manage complexity, reduce risk, and scale responsibly. BusinessFit addresses this gap through structured enterprise development methodologies that combine governance, practical diagnostics, and measurable improvement. Our Mission BusinessFit’s mission is to normalise the creation of thriving enterprises that uphold strong governance, ethical conduct, and quality assurance standards. The organisation views SMEs as critical drivers of economic participation, employment, and local resilience. Its work is therefore focused on ensuring that smaller businesses are not only entrepreneurial, but structurally capable of sustaining growth, managing risk, and participating confidently in formal economic ecosystems. Our Core Methodology: The 5-Stage Quality Assurance Programme BusinessFit applies a proprietary “building better businesses” methodology through a structured 5-Stage Quality Assurance Programme designed to mentor, quality assure, and strengthen SMEs over time. The methodology helps enterprises move progress-ively from legitimacy and compliance toward functional maturity and market credibility. It enables entrepreneurs to clarify strategic intent, strengthen internal discipline, and address operational weaknesses before they become barriers to growth. Through this process, businesses are guided to: Build leadership confidence and define measurable business intentions Identify operational gaps, risks, and internal blockages Strengthen legitimacy through structured compliance and governance checks Improve quality assurance and delivery discipline Align business practices with recognised sustainability and responsible business principles This framework provides a practical governance path-way for SMEs that wish to engage larger corporates, funding institutions, and formal supply chains. BusinessFit 360: Digital Assessment and Guidance at Scale A central pillar of the BusinessFit offering is BusinessFit 360, a digital self-assessment and guidance platform designed to extend mentorship at scale. BusinessFit 360 was developed in response to a common challenge among entrepreneurs: while daily operations demand constant attention, strategic reflection is often neglected. The platform creates structured time for business owners to step back, review their enterprise comprehensively, and identify what requires focused attention. The platform evaluates the business across all major functions, including finance, leadership, governance, operations, people, market positioning, technology, and risk. It then converts assessment data into practical outputs, including: Gap identification Maturity insights Prioritised action plans Practical guidance aligned to business stage and need In this way, BusinessFit 360 acts as a mentorship multi-plier, making structured enterprise support accessible beyond traditional one-on-one interventions. The BusinessFit Blueprint Model At the heart of Stage 4 of the methodology is the BusinessFit Blueprint Model, which defines how a business functions as an integrated system. The model is built around four core dimensions: Leadership, Ethics and Value Creation This examines the entrepreneur’s leadership approach, ethical discipline, and ability to create sustained value. Functional Foundation, Quality Assurance and Risk Management This focuses on whether the business has reliable systems, controls, and operating discipline. Outcome Intentions, Governance and Stakeholder Measures This considers strategic intent, accountability, and whether success is being measured meaningfully. Organisational Culture and Workforce Effectiveness This evaluates employee engagement, role clarity, and the internal culture required for growth. The Blueprint Model ensures that development is not fragmented. It connects enterprise improvement across all functions. Commitment to Responsible Enterprise Development BusinessFit promotes responsible corporate citizenship by encouraging enterprises to understand that business success carries legal, social, and environmental responsibilities. The organisation believes sustainable growth must be achieved responsibly — with governance, account-ability, and awareness of broader societal impact. This approach strengthens credibility, improves internal discipline, and encourages long-term resilience. Network and Strategic Collaborations BusinessFit has developed relationships and contributed to programmes linked to local and international enterprise development platforms, including collab-orations associated with: South African Chamber of Commerce UK Commonwealth Secretariat The Africa Marketing Initiative KZN Growth Coalition These engagements reflect BusinessFit’s broader commitment to strengthening enterprise ecosystems beyond individual business interventions. Our Purpose Our purpose is to help business leaders and entrepreneurs build businesses that are compliant, productive, engaged, and sustainable. We do this by combining practical mentorship, structured diagnostics, governance thinking, and digital tools that help eliminate operational blockages, reduce entrepreneurial time poverty, and build leadership confidence. Our Value Proposition BusinessFit exists to make quality mentorship and structured enterprise support more accessible. Our value proposition is built on the belief that every entrepreneur should have access to disciplined frameworks that improve decision-making, strengthen resilience, and support growth. We are committed to helping SMEs become stronger economic contributors — capable of creating employ-ment, participating in supply chains, and driving sustainable local development. Our long-term vision is an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem where smaller enterprises are equipped not only to survive, but to lead growth in the economy. CONTACT DETAILS Physical Address: 12 Braehead Office Park, 1 Old Main Road, Kloof, 3610, KwaZulu-Natal Tel: +27 (0)31 767 0625 E-mail: lindiwe@businessfitsa.co.za Website: www.businessfitsa.co.za Leaders Profile Latest News Company News Blog Keep up with the latest trends and insights. Check out our blog today! Read More Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Amanda Swana Next Previous Amanda Swana is the managing director at Powerpoint Lifestyles Amanda Swana is the managing director at Powerpoint Lifestyles, a human resource consulting agency, based in Umhlanga Ridge, Durban. Amanda completed high school at Durban Academy High School, then moved onto the University of KwaZulu-Natal to study for a psychology degree. After completing a master’s degree in industrial psychology, Amanda branched off into the world of work commencing her internship and human resources role at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI). There, Amanda said, she was mentored by her manager who made a huge impact on who she has become and how she handles herself in the world of work. Following a two-year stint at SASRI as an human resources officer, Amanda moved into the consulting field. As she had studied industrial psychology, Amanda initially had no intention of being in business in a human resources capacity. She explained, “The speciality found root and I realised that I enjoyed organisational development and strategic human resources as opposed to the operational requirements of a business. I eventually took that leap of faith, registered the business and committed myself to a new path.” WILLPOWER AND SELF-MOTIVATION As establishing a business requires a lot of structure and adherence to legislation, her first year of business was characterised by unlearning some habits and overcoming uncertainties. “I had to be more independent. I had to rely on my own internal voices because when you branch into business, willpower and self-motivation is critical,” Amanda explained. In addition, Amanda had to work on the purpose of her business and discovered that she genuinely wanted to change the lives of her employees, while meeting the demands of her business. “Empowering and mentoring employees so that they become better people and better leaders has been the business strategy that I have adopted. Although, the employees have skills and qualifications, in the consulting environment they are the ones that are engaging with clients. What becomes paramount is their confidence to service these clients.” In order to motivate her employees Amanda advocates for them to find their own voices. “If we’re sitting in a business or a brainstorming meeting, I ‘d like to know what the officer thinks, what is their voice in this situation? What is their perspective?” While Amanda considered that there might be a risk to empowering her staff in that they might open up their own consulting firms, she has found that the opposite is true. “I’ve found that the employees’ sense of loyalty is not because you pay them well or that they could make more money out of the business. The sense of loyalty develops when your employees are empowered and they feel emotionally and psychologically safe.” Amanda is very family orientated, and her mother and siblings, mean ‘the world to her’. Consequently, she looks to find a team that thrives on family support and that are also looking to empower their own family. “I like to think I’m committed to my work because of how much weight it bears on other people,” she added. EFFECTIVE SERVICES Further to ensuring that her employees are empowered, Amanda strives to partner with their clients to provide effective services. “Although our clients are looking for human resource solutions, we genuinely want to understand their business strategy and objectives. If you ask us to appoint a civil engineer, for example, we can go into the market and get you the most qualified and experienced civil engineer who is good on paper. But we are human beings, so we’ve always advocated for strategic human relations. The screening process goes beyond the administrative process, in addition we look at the applicant’s personality and emotional intelligence, explore and understand the candidate’s value systems beyond the qualification and work experience.” In reviewing her achievements, Amanda would say that from a professional point of view, the accomplishment that makes her the proudest was paying the first batch of salaries to her employees. “I was so grateful because there were people who believed in my vision even though I had nothing to back it up. The 25th is still the most beautiful day for me, it validates why I started the business. I’ve always said my responsibility is to make sure that my employees are paid on time and to try to make this business sustainable, which is personal for me.” REMAIN AUTHENTIC The best advice Amanda has received has been from her mother, who when she started the business, said: “Try to not lose yourself. Try to allow yourself to remain authentic. In any room that you find yourself in, don’t let money or people change who you are.” Amanda says her biggest challenge has been to remind herself that although she is ambitious, she sometimes needs to slow down and remind herself that she is doing the best that she can in this moment. In order to stay inspired and on track, Amanda reads a range of different books on business, leadership and motivation, including Christian books as these provide ‘a well to draw from’ when mentors or colleagues are not around. Amanda also finds her siblings, and especially her mother, a huge source of inspiration. “My mother is a calm person who raised four children on her own and I admire her strength and resilience,” she explained. In the next five years, Amanda would like to extend her service offering to include more training and development. While the company’s biggest target market is small and medium enterprises she would like to expand her market position. Another area of interest is in the provision of career development counselling for government schools in KwaZulu-Natal. In closing Amanda said, “It doesn’t matter what business or profession you find yourself in, or whatever you do in life because purpose goes beyond your business or profession. Whatever you do, you must do with intention. Because when you are intentional, you get much more joy, and you are able to handle any pressures or adversaries because you know why you’re doing something.” Previous Next

Masterclass on Corporate Governance Duration Webinar 1 Hour Book your spot < Back About the MASTERCLASS Webinar Content What is governance? How to use corporate governance as your secret weapon, and not consider it as a compliance burden – looking at practical applications Corporate governance comprising tangible and intangible aspects The board as the guardian of governance – what does that mean? Responsibilities Accountability Rights and obligations Practical aspects of corporate governance Risk and opportunity governance. The masterclass will be held virtually by means of Zoom. Book your Sport Your Business Guru Cathie Lewis Cathie has been in the listed corporate space for more than 15 years, of which more than 13 years were as the group company secretary at Grindrod and Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium. She has also practiced as an attorney and conveyancer for own account and lectured in law and communication.

As head of Retail and Business Banking in KwaZulu-Natal, Victoria is responsible for overseeing operations across the personal and business banking segments including the bank's extensive branch network, ATMs, private banking suites and small and medium enterprisesVictoria NgwenyaAs head of Retail and Business Banking in KwaZulu-Natal, Victoria is responsible for overseeing operations across the personal and business banking segments including the bank's extensive branch network, ATMs, private banking suites and small and medium enterprisesVICTORIA NGWENYA credits her father for his role in her success. "From an early age, my father instilled in me an appreciation of the value of a great education and a strong work ethic. I wouldn't be where I am today without having either of these and, of course, lots of luck." As head of Retail and Business Banking in KwaZulu-Natal, Victoria is responsible for overseeing operations across the personal and business banking segments including the bank's extensive branch network, ATMs, private banking suites and small and medium enterprises. It's been a journey, and she's had to work hard to earn her stripes in the corporate world, but she's had some impressive role models. "Admittedly, it's been a great help and source of inspiration to have phenomenal leadership in banking today." Changing the narrative "Financial services is a tough industry," she says, "and one that, in the past, marginalised a lot of black people, particularly women. But there's a wave of incredible executives, both women and men, that are deliberate about and committed to changing the narrative. I draw lot of inspiration and courage from these leaders for their resoluteness." "Our very own, Sim Tshabalala CEO of Standard Bank, is an absolute icon, and Funeka Montjane, our Chief Executive of Personal and Business Banking, is a remarkable visionary and leader. She started out in banking very young and has had a long impressive career." Victoria also singles out Raisibe Morathi, CFO of Nedbank. "Raisibe has played a critical role in my personal growth and in my career development. She's been very instrumental as a mentor and has taken a keen interest in me and selflessly guided me up the corporate ladder." Since joining Standard Bank, Victoria says she's also very fortunate to work with a very inspiring leader, Imraan Noorbhai. "He's taken a very hands-on approach to immerse me in the retail business. My previous experience is in corporate and investment banking, and retail banking is quite different - this is a people business and it is driven by volume. It's fantastic and a great privilege to work with Imraan who has a wealth of knowledge in this business." Invest in yourself and your career A firm believer in continually investing in yourself and your career, Victoria is inspired by phenomenal women. "Women have always been marginalised, and we need to work a lot harder to earn our place at the table than men do. That's the reality of the corporate journey. It has certainly changed somewhat over the last few years," she concedes, "but we still have to do ten times more than men to succeed. We need a stronger work ethic and more flexibility than men." There's still a lot to be done Victoria considers herself fortunate to work for an organisation that appreciates, supports and promotes talent, especially black female talent, but she points out that young male black talent is often sidelined as well. "The talent that young black women bring to the boardroom table is all too often undermined," says Victoria, "and corporate South Africa is missing out on what they have to offer. I'm proud of what I've accomplished. I've come a long way as a woman executive in banking. But the road remains hard and long, and there's a lot more that needs to be done; women are still under-represented at executive level in most corporates globally. We need to lift each other up and be deliberate about getting more women into executive seats. That's how we'll make the biggest change." When asked about work-life balance, Victoria shakes her head. "That's the biggest myth ever for a woman." But she also points out that she's extremely lucky to have a supportive partner whose also her biggest cheerleader and a very active and involved parent. "Without him, I wouldn't be able to work the long hours and do all the travelling my job requires of me." Victoria is also fortunate to have a great support structure in the form of family and friends who are always ready to step in when they're needed. "So no, I don't have a great work-life balance, but I prioritise. It's important for me to have time for myself, doing things that refuel me - be it gym or meditation. Equally important is time with my family and friends. And I also find time to plan how I want to give back to other young women. It can't just be about me; true success for me is about the power of the collective." Victoria points out that women tend to be very hard on themselves, and if she could give one piece of advice to her younger self it would be this: "Be kind to yourself. Spend more time discovering your purpose, your passions and what makes you happy. Own your interests and make time for them while you're young." Cheryl Govender CHERYL GOVENDER is the founder and owner of The Cake House in Pietermaritzburg. She is a qualified chef and professional cake artist. The Cake House has become a leading provider of designer cakes including engineered life-size cakes. Cheryl's exceptional cakes, each a masterpiece, have been featured in magazines and on television, and The Cake House is recognised as a leader in new age sugarcraft. Cheryl is inspired by successful bakeries and cake artists. She explains, "This is a tough industry and requires not only talent, but a business mind, people skills, market insight, tenacity, and continuous learning and growth." One of her biggest inspirations is Buddy Valastro, an American baker who is the star of the reality television series 'Cake Boss'. Be clear about what must be achieved Cheryl believes she got to where she is now and reached her goals by being clear about what she needed to achieve and why she needed to achieve them. She says her career started when she was fourteen when she was handed down decorating tools that her sister no longer needed. "Although I was a real tomboy, beating the boys at their own games in the streets, I did girly stuff when I went home, like playing with cake decorating tools and my dolls," she laughed. Cheryl learned about sugar art by reading books from the municipal library and often left the kitchen in a mess after experimenting. Her Consumer Studies teacher recognised Cheryl's talent; arranged for her to attend a cake decorating course, and gave her a toolset, which she treasures to this day. This teacher, now a retired school principal, adopted Cheryl as a daughter, helped her to believe in herself, and became her mentor to this day. Cheryl won a Consumer Studies Inter School Award in matric due to her passion for cake decorating, but at that time she considered it a hobby, not a career. After a year at college, Cheryl married and became a mother. She joined the corporate world but kept on making decorated cakes as a hobby to supplement her income. When her son was two years old, Cheryl entered and won the Pietermaritzburg Royal Show sugarcraft competition. This led to her teaching sugarcraft on a part-time basis at the now FET College in Northdale, something she continued passionately for 25 years. This Cheryl said, was fulfilling: "empowering women has always been close to my heart". Focus on one thing and do it well Cheryl gained wide experience in the corporate world, including ten years in shipping and international travel, before she started her own export business. This business crashed during the worldwide financial crisis of 2008 and she "fell back on her hands", starting a food catering business that also provided cakes. Cheryl made a few designer cakes assuming there was little market for these due to the high prices, but word of her quality and expertise spread and orders increased. A traumatic divorce, the demands of being involved in catering, wedding décor, training and making cakes at the same time, made her realise that she needed to streamline her activities. In 2012 she decided to focus on one thing only and do it well and opened The Cake House. Cheryl, a single mom had herself, her mother's assistance, two children, and a house. As she had lost her vehicle, Cheryl went everywhere in running shoes while carrying cake ingredients and other items in a backpack. Nothing was handed to her; she had no money and could not get a bank loan. Cheryl understood the risks involved but her faith and trust in God helped her. She managed to buy all her industrial baking equipment from a helpful appliance store on a three-month cash basis. Her business remains debt-free to this day. Business skills are unrelated to gender In Cheryl's view, women and men need the same business approach, as the skills required for a successful business are unrelated to gender. "Tenacity, hard work, honesty, patience and endurance are equally required from men and women." She does, however, concede that women face more challenges. She has had to face abuse, being a mother, and a divorce. Achieving a work-life balance boils down to discipline for Cheryl. "It is necessary to make time for your family and yourself, and also to rest, but not working can be scary for a business owner with much to do," she says. "I've had to learn to set boundaries, say no, and cut myself off from work when it's time to relax and unwind." Gardening, time with her family and puppies, and doing things outside of the business help create a balance. Brand ambassador Cheryl is happy with what she has accomplished thus far and readily give others credit. Without her mother, she could not have set up The Cake House. Without the help of her husband Alan, her family, and staff members, she would not have been able to grow the business. She feels honoured having recently being appointed a brand ambassador with royal status, for Rolkem Colours, one of the world's largest food colourant providers. While Cheryl is satisfied with the place she has reached, she is not comfortable about remaining there. Cheryl dreams of making the province proud of The Cake House as a tourism attraction. With a growing support structure in place, she is prepared to take risks within her means and take the business to the next level. Back

My drive has always been compassion, humanity and just trying to save the environment, because I do feel that we are on borrowed time < 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.”

The mission of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs is to strengthen cooperation among all spheres of government; support and build the capacity of local governance institutions; and facilitate and coordinate stakeholder engagement in pursuit of people-centred, accelerated service delivery. The Department's strategic goals are: sustained performance of institutions of local governance; strengthened cooperative governance; efficient and effective oversight; and improved organisational capacity and proficiency of the Department and Ministry. Subscribe Subscribe Co-Operative Governance & Traditional Affairs MEC: Sihle Zikalala Contact details Physical: 330 Langalibalele Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 Postal: Private Bag X9078, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 Tel: 033 395 2831 Fax: 033 345 6432 Web: www.kzncogta.gov.za The mission of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs is to strengthen cooperation among all spheres of government; support and build the capacity of local governance institutions; and facilitate and coordinate stakeholder engagement in pursuit of people-centred, accelerated service delivery. The Department's strategic goals are: sustained performance of institutions of local governance; strengthened cooperative governance; efficient and effective oversight; and improved organisational capacity and proficiency of the Department and Ministry. Back to government departments

< Back Kim Atkins Next KIM ATKINS is the owner and designer of Kim Atkins Jewellers. The company predominantly makes and markets jewellery and has developed into a social enterprise. Kim provides opportunities for students who need work and assistance with their studies and to young jewellers needing experience so that they can become established in their own right KIM ATKINS is the owner and designer of Kim Atkins Jewellers. The company predominantly makes and markets jewellery and has developed into a social enterprise. Kim provides opportunities for students who need work and assistance with their studies and to young jewellers needing experience so that they can become established in their own right. Kim prioritises looking after the people who make the jewellery in her business. She believes that this approach influences customer satisfaction. "First look after the people working for you, then you will make the customers happy," she says. Her very busy daily activities also include designing jewellery, overseeing social media, marketing, and general business issues. Kim went to "A little art school in the Cape" to study. Her subjects included textile design, spinning and weaving, jewellery design, painting and drawing. Afterwards she worked in the textile industry, but unfortunately, "The local textile industry almost died due to imports". She looked around and travelled overseas before starting a handmade jerseys' business. Several women who had been trained by the Anglican Church to knit and sew, worked part-time for her. "The valuing of their creations changed something in these women, and they took pride in doing something well." Creations with a theme The loss of her first baby affected Kim badly and she felt unable to do creative work for ten years. During this period, she undertook ceramic restoration work. Although agreeable, fixing people's things rather than creating something was ultimately not fulfilling. A friend suggested beading work, and after been given money to buy beads, she started making jewellery. Things went very well until Chinese imports started to impact on the business. Kim looked for ways to differentiate her creations from the imported products. "My quality was very high, and I only used semi-precious stones, pearls or crystals and sterling silver rather than plastic and inferior materials. I started differentiating further by creating jewellery that represented biblical pictures or themes. This worked very well, sparking the business to thrive." In this context, Kim is often asked to speak to women groups. Faith in God Kim says that many people have added value along the way and helped her to get to where she is today. Her studies and courses have contributed, and the mentorship programmes she has attended have been valuable. "Flourish and Thrive, an online company in the USA that helps people with their jewellery business, helped me transition my hobby into a business." Much of Kim's inspiration and her drive to make a difference for people comes from her confessed faith in God. "I am also driven by the beauty I see in people. Artistically I am inspired by the aesthetics of colour and shape." In her experience, men and women approach business somewhat differently. "Men tend to focus more on the bottom line and profits, whereas for women it is often more about the people and bringing out the best in them," she says. She thinks both approaches are necessary. Achieving a work-life balance has been made easier now that Kim's children are predominantly studying, allowing her to focus on work. She tries to compartmentalise things to prevent work from becoming all-consuming. Being close to the people working for her, she finds it difficult not to get pulled into their stories. This can affect a work-life balance and sometimes requires her to take a step back. A strong social focus Kim is happy to be where she is, but "still wants to change the world". When assessed for career guidance, the report called her "naïve and idealistic". Many years later she is still focused on making a difference, now particularly in the jewellery industry. There are still many issues where she feels she could provide hope and bring real change. Trying to address South Africa's parallel economies is one of her key focus areas. "Some people come from an advantaged background, they can move into their dreams and what they aspire to, but others cannot aspire to change anything." In reflecting on her achievements, Kim believes that using students to make jewellery and gain experience has worked well. In addition, the disparity between the relative ease for her to start a business due to her background and access to resources, compared to students with almost nothing and for whom the business system does not work has become something she wants to address. Consequently, to help bridge that gap and bring value to the students' work she has transitioned her business to have a strong social focus. Due this transition, a project was born to build an incubator; a studio facility where people can work and learn to run their own jewellery business. Kim is the managing director of the company formed, Legacy Jewellery Projects, which will assist people who are skilled, but not yet empowered. "Hand-outs fail to empower people and have negative effects. On the other hand, making work available to a person goes along with dignity and empowerment," says Kim. Anything is possible If she could, she would advise her younger self, "Don't be conformed by what other people think of you, or by things seeming impossible. Whatever you dream becomes possible if you work at it." Kim concluded, "Looking back at where my business started and where it is now shows anything is possible." Previous Next

Tracey McLennan Next Previous founder and CEO of Bconsult Tracey McLennan is the founder and CEO of Bconsult, Rightside Media and LookupSA. These entities form a purpose driven business ecosystem that sits at the intersection of skills development, digital learning and social upliftment. Tracey has built organisations that do more than deliver services. They create opportunity, unlock potential and build sustainable pathways for people and businesses alike. Her leadership journey has been shaped by a deep understanding of people, an instinct for growth and a firm belief that economic mobility begins with access to skills and support. Today, her work continues to influence how organisations approach transformation, learning and impact in South Africa. FINDING HER CALLING Although Tracey’s career began in the banking sector, she is quick to point out that it was not where she found her calling. Her first role was in the bonds department of a bank, an experience that offered structure, discipline and a strong grounding in customer service, while also delivering an important personal insight. “It was an admin heavy role,” says Tracey. “If it taught me anything, it was that I am definitely not an admin person and in hindsight, that lesson was invaluable. Sometimes it is just as important to discover what you do not want as it is to discover what you do want.” Tracey’s professional direction became clearer when she moved into sales. Stepping into the role of sales co-ordinator for an international television brand proved to be a turning point.“That role was my introduction to the world of sales, marketing and customer experience and from that moment, I never looked back,” she explains. “It ignited a passion for understanding people, solving problems creatively and driving results, which has shaped every step of my entrepreneurial journey since.” This early exposure to the power of connection and communication laid the foundation for her future businesses and leadership style. BUILDING WITH PURPOSE Today, the three interconnected organisations Traceyhas founded, each play a distinct role in a broader vision for social and economic upliftment. Bconsult is an accredited training provider, specialists in learning and development and long standing skills development consultancy that supports organisations in building compliant, capable and future ready workforces. Rightside Media is a digital learning and explainer video agency that simplifies complex information and makes learning accessible and engaging. LookupSA is a nonprofit organisation focused on developing unemployed youth into future fit talent. Together, the three businesses form what Tracey describes as an ecosystem rather than a collection of separate entities. “My purpose is to create opportunity, unlock potential and build pathways that change lives,” she says. “Across all three organisations, my mission is to uplift people, empower organisations and stimulate economic mobility.” This integrated approach has allowed her to align commercial success with meaningful impact. For Tracey, that alignment is non-negotiable.Building this ecosystem stands as her proudest accomplishment. “Creating three businesses that generate employment, develop skills and uplift communities is what I am most proud of,” she says. “It proves that business can be both sustainable and socially transformative.” The journey, however, has not been without its challenges. One of the most significant was navigating rapid growth while maintaining quality and consistency across all operations. “Growth is exciting, but it can also expose weaknesses very quickly,” she reflects. “I overcame it by building stronger systems, clearly defining roles and creating accountability structures that professionalised the organisation.”This focus on structure and clarity has since become a hallmark of her leadership. LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY Tracey leads with intention, clarity and an unwavering belief in people. The best advice she has received continues to shape how she approaches pressure and decision making.“I don’t do overwhelm,” she says. “That phrase has reprogrammed the way I lead by choosing clarity and solutions over chaos.” Within her organisations, she prioritises clear expectations, open communication and a strong sense of ownership. Motivation, she believes, comes from understanding both responsibility and purpose. “We focus on regular feedback, honest conversations and keeping the team connected to the real-world impact of our work,” she explains. “When people see that what they do changes lives, motivation becomes intrinsic.”Inspiration, for Tracey, comes from those who choose courage even when the road is uncertain. “I am inspired by people who follow their heart even when it is hard, even when others doubt them and even when the path is not clear,” she says. “They choose courage over comfort and stay true to their calling. They make it possible for the rest of us to walk further and dream bigger.” PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS Looking ahead, Tracey is optimistic about the future of business in KwaZulu-Natal, provided the right focus is maintained. Her vision for the province is ambitious but grounded in practical solutions.“I want KZN to become a skills driven, digitally empowered and economically inclusive province where unemployment is dramatically reduced through sustainable economic growth,” she says. Tracey is particularly passionate about the recovery of the hospitality and tourism sector, which was severely impacted by Covid 19 and has yet to fully rebound.“Once unemployment is meaningfully addressed, I believe the province will experience a complete turnaround,” she adds. Through all the complexity of entrepreneurship, transformation and leadership, Tracey holds onto a simple personal motto that reflects both optimism and resilience. “It will all work out in the end and if it has not worked out, it is not the end.”This sentiment captures her approach to business and life. Grounded in purpose, guided by clarity and driven by a belief in people, Tracey continues to build pathways that extend far beyond her own success. Previous Next