As soon as you grow a love or understanding of the human element, I think most of everything else will make sense.Nosihle Dlamini < Back Nosihle Dlamini Senior Manager, Quality Division, Toyota SA Nosihle Dlamini may be described as a woman extraordinaire. As a senior manager at Toyota in the Quality Division, Nosihle plays a role in ensuring the vehicle quality at a leading automotive company. Her responsibilities include liaising with internal and external customers, driving efficiency, productivity, and quality through innovation and creative problem-solving. Nosihle is also the vice chair for the TWIMS Alumni board, an association aimed at making manufacturing ‘sexy’ again in the communities around manufacturing spaces. In addition, Nosihle is the founding member for Circle of Hope, an organisation run through a church in the township of Kwamakhutha and Ezimbokodweni. They assist youth and older people with job searches and readiness for the workplace. She is also an ambassador for WYB organisation where leaders are coming together to be agents of change for socio economic issues in KZN. A chance encounter with a plant engineer, piqued Nosihle’s interest in studying engineering. Nosihle didn’t stop there though, after obtaining her mechanical engineering qualification, she continued to pursue subjects she believed were essential for her personal and professional growth. Her education, which includes psychology, business studies, and her current pursuit of a masters in human resources, showcases her dedication to understanding how the human dynamic operates within systems. Nosihle emphasises, “It’s people who build cars, not the machines or the robots and its people who buy cars and so understanding humans is key. Whether you look from a business or socio-economic point of view or any other perspective, people are at the heart of it. As soon as you grow a love or understanding of the human element, I think most of everything else will make sense.” She added, “That is interesting because I think as soon as we crack that code then everything will just fall into place. What makes the common denominator is tapping into that human spirit, that human energy that’s going to make everything work.” Entering a male-dominated industry is no small feat, and Nosihle has faced her fair share of challenges. She began her career in engineering in Witbank, working in the mining industry. Despite being one of the most qualified in many meetings, she remembers being unfairly stereotyped as a ‘meisiekind’, the young girl who could be younger than some of the engineers’ daughters and therefore deemed unworthy of a say. However, these challenges only fuelled Nosihle’s determination. Looking back, she recognises that the difficulties she faced taught her resilience and encouraged her to speak up even when challenging. However, gender bias continued to be a hurdle, Nosihle recalls feelings torn between her personal life and the persona she had to portray at work. Like many other women with untold stories, Nosihle struggled with fertility issues and a heartbreaking miscarriage. She felt that amid heartbreak and anxiety it was important for her to be present, maintain a brave demeanour and continue as if there was nothing wrong to deliver on the required performance targets. Nosihle reflected, “I think that was one of the biggest challenges, where you literally live a double life. It’s the whole stereotype of being a woman, you constantly have to prove yourself, which we do all the time.” She emphasised that our current education systems continue to teach and promote ‘cut-throat masculine traits’ as ‘good management’. “When a woman comes into the space not operating in a masculine manner, we think it’s weak leadership,” she added. Nosihle is passionate about the need for more inclusive leadership styles, recognising that the top-down approach often fails to capture the true essence of leadership. She advocates for leadership which combines strength with empathy, a concept drawing from her experience of a confident and capable mother. Nosihle firmly believes that running away from challenges is not the solution. Drawing inspiration again from her strong and resilient mother and empathetic father, who both prospered despite their own struggles, she is determined that we as South Africans can do the same. She emphasises that life’s hardships should not define someone. Instead, these challenges should be viewed as invaluable life lessons, opportunities for growth, and a path to prosperity. She added, “We all have different journeys. You need to experience the things you do to become your best self.” Another source of inspiration for Nosihle is her children. She says, “We are in South Africa and need a better country, we cannot all immigrate somewhere else. Every day I wake up, see my beautiful boys and think how I can change things so that they can have something better to grow into as people.” Nosihle turns to her firm faith in God to remind us that we all have a unique role to play in the world. An impassioned advocate for education, Nosihle says, “There’s a level of empowerment and the discipline that goes with education.” As she feels strongly about this, she sponsors the schooling of four children per year, hoping to make a difference in an education system which favours the wealthy and leaves the underprivileged largely unsupported. Nosihle also runs a school and homework club at work, where she makes all the shopfloor leaders go back to school and helps them with their schooling. In a world that often measures success by rigid standards, Nosihle reminds us that true greatness lies in embracing our unique talents and passions. She advocates for an education system that recognises and nurtures individual strengths and talents, rather than pushing everyone into the same mould. Her advice to young people is simple: “Know thyself. Embrace every experience, whether positive or negative, as a crucial part of your personal journey.” In Zulu culture, a greeting that stands out is “Sawubona,” which translates to “I see you.” Being nominated for this initiative feels like her personal “Sawubona” moment shared Nosihle. It’s not just about her own hard work, dedication, and perseverance being recognised; she’s also excited about the acknowledgement of all the other remarkable women she’s surrounded by.

Nomfundo Mcoyi Next Previous Nomfundo Mcoyi is the founder and CEO of Icebolethu Group, chairperson of the KZN South African Funeral Practitioners Association and is a shareholder at Scribante Labour Consultants as well as Blacksuits Nomfundo Mcoyi is a multi-skilled entrepreneur and passionate community builder who is based in KwaZulu-Natal. She has come a long way from township girl to teacher, to founder and chief executive officer of the Icebolethu Group. While the core business of the Icebolethu Group is funerals, the various companies under the Group’s umbrella include funeral policies, memorial parks, tombstones, catering, and loans. Nomfundo is the chairperson of the KZN South African Funeral Practitioners Association and is a shareholder at Scribante Labour Consultants as well as Blacksuits. When Nomfundo started her business, she had no financial resources, not even a loan, but she had a big dream. In addition, she had no experience in the funeral business, and no mentor to guide her. Instead, she looked to her opposition – the major funeral companies. She said, “I never looked at the small companies. I always knew exactly what I wanted to achieve: I wanted to own a very big company, so I measured myself against the biggest and the best. It’s been a long journey. It wasn’t easy and it took perseverance, focus and determination. I’d never even buried anyone – but I did my research and focused on my vision.” Fifteen years later the Icebolethu Group boasts over 120 branches in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as a branch in Johannesburg and one in London. Nomfundo said, “The brand is really doing so well in the funeral industry. We’ve grown through hard work, dedication, and passion and through having a very great team that supports me and my entire vision. I am very grateful for the growth we have seen over the past years. My future goals are to see Icebolethu grow globally, including throughout Africa. We would like to have more partners in offering our services.” Nomfundo says that the growth of her business is motivated by creating jobs for people. When the company started it consisted of five people, now Icebolethu employs over 1500 people. “That means that there are 1500 families that get to have food at the end of the day because of the vision that I had when I started Icebolethu. That makes me very happy.” She added that she would like to continue to create more jobs. “We cannot rely on government and need to grow sustainable businesses that will support and give back to all the communities.” One of the major challenges that Nomfundo has experienced has been entering into the male dominated funeral industry, which has been tough. “I remember when I started, I was on a committee where there were 11 males, and I was the only female. Everything I said I had to say twice. They did not believe in me and said that I would fail. I decided not to listen to them and continue with my journey. I am a person of excellence and continued to apply that excellence in the business – look at where it is today.” Nomfundo’s charity, the Icebolethu Foundation, is particularly close to her heart. The Foundation has several active projects, but she is particularly proud of the Rhoda Girls project. The foundation has ‘adopted’ 50 girls to mentor for a five-year period. These girls attend courses and camps, and the foundation pays their school fees. Nomfundo is personally involved in the mentoring, and as she puts it, “We’re trying create fifty more Nomfundos of the future; girls who have the skills and the confidence to go out and create businesses and employment for others.” Other projects include an agricultural programme where seedlings are provided for gardens in different communities so that people can grow their own food. The foundation also builds houses for the poor. The next project will be the establishment of computer centres for the youth to access, which speaks to 4IR and the digital world that we are moving in to. Nomfundo relates how her grandmother was also a very giving women, who went out of her way to care for people in her community. “My late grandmother was a remarkable woman and a great entrepreneur for her time. She was fierce, focused and determined, and she ran my grandfather’s business when I was a child. I always wanted to be like her. My foundation was inspired by her and giving back to the community is my way of paying respect to the example she set for me.” The advice that she would give to other people following in her footsteps is not to do things for money but to follow a career because they love it and are good at it. She added that women must also understand that will not just get things because they are women, but because they deserve them and work hard. “You must just be excellent at what you do. Focus on your goals and your vision and don’t take shortcuts, they’re not the answer. Work hard, be professional and do things the right way, and for the right reasons. Just be excellent; that’s the key.” Finding a balance in life does not come easy to Nomfundo. However, she says, “I do find time for family and friends, that’s very important. I love to travel, usually with my family; it’s a great way to grow your knowledge, broaden your mind and see new opportunities.” Nomfundo, who positions herself as a cooking enthusiast, rather than a cooking expert, has recently published a cook book ‘Boardroom To The Kitchen.’ The book offers readers a behind- the-scenes look into her life as a businesswoman and how the kitchen has been an integral part of her family life. Filled with her personal antidotes and essays, this cookbook relates the story of her humble beginnings and how Nomfundo turned her dream into reality. Previous Next

Boilercraft Africa Up Home Up Latest News Boilercraft Africa VISION To become a leading African provider of industrial thermal and pressure equipment solutions, recognised for engineering excellence, reliability and long-term client partnerships. MISSION To deliver reliable, high-quality boiler and pressure equipment solutions through skilled manufacturing, engineering expertise and dedicated client service. MD: Martin Swanepoel FD: Samantha Swanepoel ENGINEERING RELIABLE INDUSTRIAL THERMAL SOLUTIONS BoilerCraft Africa (Pty) Ltd is a specialist engineering and manufacturing company focused on the design, fabrication, installation and maintenance of industrial thermal and pressure equipment. Established in 2024 and headquartered in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, the company provides reliable steam and heating solutions to a wide range of industrial sectors across South Africa. The business was founded with a clear vision: to deliver high-quality, locally manufactured boiler and pressure equipment supported by strong technical expertise and dependable service. BoilerCraft Africa combines decades of industry experience within its leadership team with modern fabrication standards, enabling the company to meet the demanding operational requirements of industrial clients. Products and Services BoilerCraft Africa specialises in the manufacture and supply of industrial heating and pressure equipment. Its core product range includes industrial boilers, autoclaves and calorifiers, all designed to support industries that depend on reliable steam and thermal systems for their production processes. Beyond manufacturing, the company provides a comprehensive service offering that includes installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance. These services ensure that equipment operates efficiently and safely throughout its lifecycle. This integrated approach allows BoilerCraft Africa to support clients from the earliest stages of equipment design and fabrication through to installation and long-term servicing. By managing the full lifecycle of its products, the company ensures performance, safety and operational continuity for its clients. Industries Served BoilerCraft Africa supplies equipment and services to a diverse range of industries that rely on consistent thermal systems to maintain production efficiency. These sectors include food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, tyre retreading, composite curing and timber processing, as well as general industrial heating applications. In each of these industries, steam and heat systems form a critical part of daily operations. Reliable equipment is essential to maintaining product quality, meeting safety standards and ensuring uninterrupted production. BoilerCraft Africa’s engineering expertise enables the company to design and manufacture equipment that meets these strict operational and regulatory requirements. By delivering customised solutions tailored to the needs of each sector, the company helps its clients improve efficiency while maintaining high levels of reliability and safety. Leadership Team BoilerCraft Africa is led by a management team with extensive experience in the boiler, engineering and industrial equipment sectors. Managing Director Martin Swanepoel is responsible for the operational and technical direction of the company. With many years of experience in the boiler and pressure equipment industry, he brings deep technical knowledge and practical engineering insight to the organisation. His leadership ensures that the company maintains a strong focus on quality workmanship, manufacturing precision and reliable service delivery. Supporting the strategic development of the business is Financial Director Samantha Swanepoel. She oversees the company’s financial management, governance and strategic planning. With a background in finance and business management, she plays a central role in ensuring the company’s financial discipline and long-term sustainability while guiding its growth strategy. Completing the leadership team is Sales Director Nico Barnard. He leads the company’s sales operations and client relationship development. With significant experience in industrial equipment sales, he focuses on building strong partnerships with customers and expanding the company’s market presence across South Africa’s industrial sector. Quality and Standards Quality is central to BoilerCraft Africa’s operations. The company works in accordance with recognised industry standards and holds ISO 3834 accreditation, which reflects its commitment to maintaining strict welding and fabrication quality processes. This certification demonstrates the company’s focus on delivering equipment that meets international standards for safety, reliability and durability. By maintaining rigorous quality control throughout its manufacturing processes, BoilerCraft Africa ensures that its products perform consistently in demanding industrial environments. Workforce and Capability BoilerCraft Africa employs a skilled team of approximately 25 people, including technicians, fabricators and operational support staff. The company places strong emphasis on technical competence, safety and continuous improvement. Through the combination of skilled personnel and specialised equipment, the company is able to deliver customised engineering solutions tailored to the operational requirements of its clients. This capability enables BoilerCraft Africa to address complex industrial heating challenges while maintaining high standards of workmanship. Growth and Development Since its founding in 2024, the company has developed a growing client base across multiple industrial sectors and has established a reputation for reliable boiler and pressure equipment solutions within KwaZulu-Natal. A key factor in this early success has been the company’s commitment to building long-term partnerships with clients. Rather than simply supplying equipment, BoilerCraft Africa works closely with customers to understand their operational requirements and provide solutions that support efficiency, safety and long-term performance. Future Vision Looking ahead, BoilerCraft Africa aims to expand its presence within South Africa’s industrial sector by strengthening its manufacturing capability and broadening its service offering. The company also plans to build deeper partnerships with clients across a wider range of industries. CONTACT DETAILS Physical Address: 28 Columbine Place, Glen Anil, KZN Tel: +27 (0)31 569 1617/8/9 E-mail: i nfo@boilerindustrialplant.co.za Website: www.boilerindustrialplant.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

Up Home Up Preona Naidoo PREONA NAIDOO is the Brand and Customer Experience Manager for the Supertech Group. She has worked within the motor industry for just over a decade. Preona was selected as a Top 5 Motor industry Women of the Year 2022 nominee and finalist. She says, “One of my biggest achievements is using my position and influence to empower and upskill other women within this space.” Some of the other achievements that she has been quite invested in, ever since she joined the Supertech team, are the annual corporate social initiative drives. There are two major projects, one being the Blanket Drive and the second being the Toy Drive, under the umbrella of the Supertech Care’s brand. Preona explained, “What we do with this initiative, within the areas that Supertech retailers operate, is to identify deserving NPOs, NGOs and local organisations that need support. This enables them to remain sustainable for the work that they do within the community and provide assistance to help them do so.” FEMININE ENERGY Speaking of who inspires her, she says that she is proud to say that the women within her family inspire and continue to inspire her, especially her mom and gran. Preona said, “For me they embody what the feminine energy should be. They are both nurturers, they are entrepreneurial and at the end of the day, they embody this spirit that allows you to get things done, no matter what.” THAT SOFTER EDGE Commenting on the challenges that she faces, Preona says that being a female in the motor industry comes with its own set of challenges. “Being a young female in the motor industry is something that I had to contend with for the past decade. In the past, one of the biggest challenges is that when you walk into a room within a leadership position, you are often judged on your age, and your gender.” “So, you need to be a little louder to get your point across, while still maintaining that softer edge. I am happy to say that the space that I’m now part of, values your productivity and your work output versus your age and your gender, so it is quite a pleasure to be in this space at this time.” CONTINUE TO EMPOWER Personally, Preona’s future goal would be to qualify as an NLP Practitioner. Within the work sphere, she hopes to continue to empower and upskill young women and men within her team with the resources and the knowledge for them to pave their own paths. The advice that Preona would give to young women who are following in her path, regardless of the industry, is the same as the advice that she was lucky enough to have received when she was younger. This she says is to persevere. Preona explained, “In the face of every goal that you are trying to achieve, persevere and be consistent because consistency is what drives results.” When Preona does have the time and does have a break, she loves to go to the beach. She says, “I’m drawn to the ocean, for its tranquillity – I’m a beach-baby at heart. I love to read and continuously learn and spend time in the creative space. THERE IS MAGIC IN POSSIBILITIES “What I would like to say in closing,” said Preona, “Is that all women have a voice. Some of us have the opportunity to use our voice to inspire and empower others on larger scales. For some women that don’t have the opportunity, strive to inspire those around you and not lose hope, because what you do is important and does impact your environment for the better. If I could give advice to young women who are starting out in motor industry, don’t forget that there is magic in possibilities.” “I will leave you with a quote: “Amazing things happen when women help other women.”– Kasia Gospoś.

Jacquie Bhana Next Previous Jacquie Bhana is the owner of Jacquie Bhana Consulting Jacquie Bhana, the owner of Jacquie Bhana Consulting, is an accredited high-performance coach, mentor, and counsellor. Jacquie was born into a very close-knit family who lived in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Of her early years she says, “I was born, during the years that it was taboo, into an interracial marriage to the most fantastic parents, which was an absolutely amazing experience that taught me to have an open mind around religion and race.” This upbringing has provided a solid base for Jacquie who relates well to people of all backgrounds. Following attendance at a local township school, Jacquie completed an undergraduate degree majoring in psychology, a postgraduate degree focusing on industrial relations, a masters in industrial sociology and an executive and leader- ship coaching qualification at UCT. Jacquie’s successful career in the corporate world has spanned over 30 years. Her first ‘proper’ job was at Volkswagen South Africa where Jacquie started off in training and development. “The then CEO Peter Searle was a true leader of his time. What I really loved about VW is that you learned about the importance of vision, mission, culture, and values in bringing people together in an organisation.” BUILD CAPACITY After much thought her current position is something that Jacquie dreamed of for a long time. “I really wanted to have my own business and for the work that I do to make a difference, the basic competencies are those that I acquired at VW.” Jacquie’s main focus is on development, helping diverse teams build their capacity, and helping people to find and speak their voice. She enjoys coaching executives and says that the kind of mental blocks they create for themselves are incredible. By walking alongside her clients, Jacquie helps to free these blocks so they may be the best person that they can be. Mental or emotional wellness is a key area of interest for her; especially the mentoring of executives experiencing loneliness or anxiety in new positions. In addition, says Jacquie, “I absolutely enjoy working with graduates or people newly out of school and getting them socialised into the business environment. They don’t always understand that it takes more than a degree or a diploma to be successful in business. The value that I am able to bring to their lives and to each business is a revelation.” The other area Jacquie works in is human resource consulting for small businesses, often focusing on talent and succession planning. She helps to build structures and mechanisms to ensure that things are done the right way to cultivate growth. “Small and medium enterprises have enormous potential, have an appetite for risk, and are hungry for success. They work really hard and have great ideas, however, they often need a sounding board to help them succeed. My purpose is to help them make a difference in business, in their world, and to the economy.” Without a doubt Jacquie’s proudest accomplishment, as well as her biggest challenge, has been moving out of the corporate sector to open up her business. “I had a stable job at a senior level with a steady income; to jump outside of that environment and start from scratch has been very challenging.” Her uncertainty was firstly to believe in herself; that she could survive without the support of a massive corporation and move beyond her corporate title. Apart from skills such as administration and information technology, one of the challenges has been in marketing herself and getting her business ‘out there’. Jacquie is proud that her venture is impactful and that she is able to work with various people with immense success. Reflecting on her journey she says, “In order to stay motivated you can’t work in a vacuum, you have to wake up to your purpose. You’ve got to have a master plan, you’ve got to plan around daily, weekly, and monthly goals and then relentlessly pursue them.” A BETTER PLACE The best advice Jacquie has ever received is not to expect anything from anybody. “If you do something for somebody, do it because it’s making the world a better place, it’s making the person a better person. Don’t expect anything in return. It helps with managing your expectations and helps with not experiencing disappointment. Just learning and applying this lesson has really helped me not to expect anything from people, which is simple but profound.” “However, I think South Africa has awesome and resilient people who inspire me,” says Jaquie. “In addition, there are universal guiding lights such as Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani advocate for education for girls who was shot. That she could stand up to a force so violent just speaks volumes of her. The other person that I truly admire is politician Angela Merkel, who was the German Chancellor. She is the epitome of leadership; she showed us the humanness of being a leader.” Jacquie works very closely with the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, serving on the board as the first vice president. “I work with CEO Palesi Phili, who is authentic, courageous, and able to work with real issues on a daily basis. I have a great admiration for her level of ethics and ability to get things done.” The motto of the Chamber, ‘In business for a better world’, resonates well with her purpose. Jacquie’s vision is to work with her clients to help them become better leaders. “I would like to build ethical, high performing thinking leaders who in turn will help KwaZulu-Natal to become a better province, so that we can take this province to the next level and create a better world. And importantly, to help our youth, to get them to help build this province to make this a better place, so that they leave a legacy of greatness for the upcoming generations.” “I always think, ‘If I am not afraid what will I do’ which is great motivation to achieve in what has been a great journey so far,” concluded Jacquie. Previous Next

< Back Marcina Majid Next MARCINA MAJID heads up SAS Cares which is a subsidiary of Southern African Shipyards. SAS Cares is a skills development, exposure and experience based non-profit organisation MARCINA MAJID heads up SAS Cares which is a subsidiary of Southern African Shipyards. SAS Cares is a skills development, exposure and experience based non-profit organisation. The organisation was founded on the premise that skills and education go hand in hand in developing individuals and communities. "We want to upskill people and also expose people to the possibilities of careers in the maritime industry," explained Marcina. "It is about getting everybody on the same level." Love for women's empowerment Her journey to establishing the foundation has been varied. "After I graduated, I was employed by a firm of chartered accountants. I was very fortunate in that this was at the time when the black economic empowerment (BEE) codes came out and I started a BEE verification company." Marcina said that she was in the privileged position of having her children and being able to run the company at the same time. However, she then had a two-year hiatus where she took time out of her working life and reflected on what she really wanted to do. She explains further, "It just so happened that I got into the health and fitness industry. I had two gyms that ran consecutively for about six years. During that time, I discovered my love for women's empowerment because I worked first-hand with women. I got to understand the needs and issues in their communities and in their lives as well as the socio-economic impact that they have in society or the lack thereof." These experiences gave Marcina insight into what she wished to accomplish in her own life. Unfortunately, a hip operation put everything on hold, and she had to stop working in the health and fitness industry. My purpose is to help others Consequently, Marcina made the decision to work at South African Shipyards which at that time had became part of the family business. "That is when I started working with my husband, Prasheen Maharaj, CEO of SA Shipyards. We worked side by side in making a success of the business, but I always felt that I worked better when working on CSI initiatives and playing a supporting role in that regard. From that insight arose SAS Cares and I feel that my purpose is to help others." In speaking of her sources of inspiration Marcina explained that she is inspired by women who are go-getters. "I don't like to glorify people as there is a lot of ebb and flow in everybody's lives. To put one woman up in high regard is doing a disservice to all the other women who don't have a platform or who are finding themselves. There are a lot of women who wake up at 4 am in the morning and slog through a hard day - getting their kids to school, getting to work on time, having a hard, honest day. Getting back home, cooking a meal and then getting ready for the next day. They don't get recognition and I am inspired by them." However, she added that she is also inspired by the women who are the chatterboxes; who are the disrupters. "I am inspired by women who are not defined by a box. By women who have a blank slate - the innovators, our local artists, our designers and our scientists. All those females who you come across every day in the media." A seat at the table Marcina believes that women need to approach business differently from men to be successful. "We are set up with so many disadvantages, there are so many things that we need to think about before we take those steps into business. Men have fraternity, they have a brotherhood and a comradery, which is about uplifting one another. With women, we have a small gap to contribute in and we are all fighting to be empowered. Michelle Obama said, 'You can have it all, you just can't have it right now'. It is about taking the time, fighting those causes and making sure that we can get up and have a seat at the table." "I am happy with what I have accomplished. As a person who does a lot of introspection on my life, I monitor what it is that I think and how I approach things. SAS Cares is a stepping-stone that can go further. This business is not about my recognition and ego. The recognition I want is for SAS Cares. I want other people to see the good that comes from this company and that this is going to allow us to take on other partners for our cause." Work-life balance Finding a work-life balance is very difficult for Marcina. "Fortunately, as I have been in the health industry, I try to exercise every day. I like to upskill myself so every year I take a recreational course. These learnings filter into my family life as whatever I have learnt I share." "We go through ebbs and flows where we feel like we are failing as a mom or as a businesswoman, but you do what you can to get through that period." In giving advice to her younger self, Marcina would say drown the noise and don't listen to all the fears that people project onto you. "I would also tell myself to take chances. Every failure is a learning opportunity. You don't ask why something is happening, ask, what are you going to learn from the situation." Previous Next

Aurelia Albert Next Previous Aurelia Albert is the chief executive officer of Innovate Durban Aurelia Albert is the chief executive officer of Innovate Durban. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce in economics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, she completed an honours degree with a double major in economics through UNISA. Although this degree is not what Aurelia set out to do, the subjects have contributed to her career to date. Making a difference in people’s lives has always been a source of motivation for Aurelia. “I’m doing that within Innovate Durban. I’m able to impact by helping people to upskill themselves, supporting them to identify their own career paths, unlocking opportunities for themselves within business and really changing people’s quality of life,” she explains. In addition, Aurelia says, “I’m really passionate about Durban, which has experienced a lot of challenges over the last years. We want to serve a purpose for good and invest in the people and their lives here.” INTO THE FOREFRONT Aurelia worked for the eThekwini Municipality for nine years as a researcher and then managed an innovation programme within the city. She then successfully applied for the job as programme manager for innovation, following which Innovate Durban was founded as a nonprofit company. Establishing and growing Innovate Durban is the career accomplishment that Aurelia is most proud of. She was part of growing the nonprofit company over six years into a successful and financially sustainable entity. “I had zero business or executive management experience,” she says. “So Innovate Durban is the accomplishment within my career that really stands out and that has pushed me into the forefront within the innovation space.” Due to the fact that her experience was limited, Aurelia had much on the job learning and took advice from other executives who had been in similar roles. “Mentorship played a huge role in my career. Just leaning on people who were willing to impart their knowledge helped guide me in the process of setting up Innovate Durban. I’m very grateful to those who did mentor me,” she commented. As a researcher in the eThekwini municipality, Aurelia always worked on projects and events behind the scenes. Recalling the best advice she had received along her path, Aurelia said it was a manager telling her that she needed to step out, stop standing behind a desk and be in the front of the room interacting with various stakeholders. Her first presentation at the launch of a major project was a pivotal point in her career. Aurelia reflected, “It was the moment that I got noticed and my confidence grew, and because of my confidence growing, I was able to achieve so much more. That is definitely something that I impart to those who are working with me at Innovate Durban, especially the young interns.” GENDER DISPARITY The biggest challenge Aurelia has had to overcome is gender disparity. She says, “Oftentimes when you walk into a room as a woman in business, the expectation is the CEO is going to be a man. I remember walking into a room, but the person that I was meeting was looking behind me for the CEO of Innovate Durban. It has been a bit difficult navigating that. But I’ve also found much joy in rising above and breaking those glass ceilings.” One of Aurelia’s main learnings in her journey is that communication is key. In addition, Innovate Durban focuses on employee wellness, especially post Covid. Consequently, frequent wellness and team building sessions are hosted that ensure that the team comes together, learns about each other and is motivated. Within Innovate Durban, celebrating the wins of each other as well as the teams within the organisation is part of their values and culture, which they do frequently. GOOD EXAMPLES Speaking of who has inspired her along the way Aurelia looks to her parents. She explains, “I look at their examples of how far they’ve come and how hard they’ve worked, the various things that they’ve done, not only in business but also in the family. I know there’s a saying ‘work smart and not hard’. I disagree as I do believe that in order for you to get to where you are, you need to do a bit of both. They’ve set really good examples for the way in which I live and work including my ethics and the integrity that comes through in the work that I do.” Aurelia’s faith also plays a significant role in her life. A further inspiration is in the stories relating to the work that she does. Aurelia expands, “I’m able to see the results and the work that’s been put in and the success at the end of the day.” In the future Innovate Durban is transitioning. “Being a nonprofit company that is agile, we are able to do that relatively quickly. I’m quite excited,” commented Aurelia. “Innovate Durban runs several programmes and projects, one of which is an accelerator. “I’m looking at transforming Innovate Durban into a pure accelerator. We are also looking at setting up an academy for the company as well as advisory services. So really transforming the way in which we are doing business. I see us expanding beyond KZN, if there is a need, as whatever we do is needs based.” In addition, Aurelia plans to continue to keep her team motivated and to put all their energy and focus into the projects and programmes that they run. She commented, “Businesses in KZN are so resilient and we need to support smaller businesses as they are engines for growth. Promoting small business development, increases employment, reduces un- employment within our city, and enables people to have a better quality of life.” In conclusion, Aurelia says that in life it is really important to be authentic and be yourself. Previous Next

Sappi Southern Africa Up Home Up Latest News Sappi Southern Africa VISION We will be a sustainable business with an exciting future in woodfibre that provides relevant solutions, delivers enhanced value, and is a trusted partner to all our stakeholders. MISSION Sappi exists to build a thriving world by unlocking the power of renewable resources to benefit people, communities, and the planet. Alex Thiel UNLOCKING THE POWER OF RENEWABLE RESOURCES TO BUILD A THRIVING WORLD Sappi Southern Africa Sappi, founded in 1936, is a leading global provider of powerful everyday materials made from woodfibre based renewable resources. As a diversified, innovative and trusted leader focused on sustainable processes and products, we seek to support a more circular economy and to build a thriving world. With operations in four key regions: South Africa, Europe, North America and Asia, Sappi is powered by the expertise of more than 12,000 people. Our product offering in SA includes dissolving pulp, packaging and specialities, newsprint, office paper, tissue sawn timber and biomaterials. We generate shared value in the communities in which we operate, by investing in skills training, enterprise supplier development, youth mobilisation, early childhood development and many other initiatives aimed at boosting employment and growing the economy. Sappi in KZN Saiccor Mill, situated 50 km south of the port of Durban in Umkomaas, is the company’s biggest production 178 facility for Sappi Dissolving Pulp (DP). Acquired by Sappi in 1989, this signalled Sappi’s first entry into the global DP market. The mill has the capacity to produce approximately 890,000 tons of elemental chlorine-free (ECF) DP per annum, mostly for the export market. Branded as ‘Verve’, a large percentage of the DP we produce at the mill is sold globally into the rayon – Viscose Staple Fibres (VSF) and Lycocell (solvent spun fibres) – markets for use in textiles. As global textile demand grows, driven by population growth, fashion and rising wealth in developing and emerging economies, the need to develop more climate friendly solutions, derived from renewable materials that are not fossil-fuel based, drives the increasing market share for viscose and Lyocell. Fabrics made from cellulosic fibres differ from other feedstock fibres in that they are breathable, absorbent, recyclable and biodegradable. In addition, they provide a unique and appealing look, feel and drape. DP can also be processed into products that are used in food and beverages, health and hygiene, wrapping and packaging, pharmaceuticals and many more applications that touch our daily lives. Stanger Mill is unique in South Africa in that it uses bagasse (sugar cane waste) as its basic raw material in the manufacture of office paper and tissue wadding. The mill’s paper machine has a production capacity of 80,000 tons, while the tissue machine produces around 30,000 tons per annum. It also produces 60,000 tons of bleached bagasse pulp for its own consumption per annum. Stanger Mill is home to the well-known office paper brand, Typek. This copier paper is an ultra-white multi purpose paper. It is also acid and lignin free, archive friendly and has been engineered for all types of office equipment. The virgin fibre component is FSC™-certified and is derived from sustainable tree plantations. Tissue wadding manufactured at the mill is made up of 60% bagasse. Sugar bagasse is a sustainable and renewable resource. The tissue wadding is sold to converters who use it for the creation of industrial and household tissue products. The mill has also expanded to use bagasse in combination with pulp to produce compostable thermomoulded food grade utensils like plates and bowls. The Tugela Mill is situated in the town of Mandeni near the Tugela River on the north coast of KwaZulu Natal. The mill, which has been in operation since 1954, produces 155,000 tons per annum of neutral sulphite semi-chemical pulp (NSSC) for our own consumption and with a capacity of 200,000 tons per annum, produces a range of Ultraflute Plus and Ultraflex corrugating medium manufactured from recycled and virgin fibre. These products lead the way in packaging innovation in South Africa, offering high-performance container board, which allows customers to develop lightweight boxes. These boxes which retain their strength in cold storage conditions, make them suitable for the agricultural sector and they are used extensively in South Africa, particularly for the citrus export market. During 2012, the Tugela Mill joined Sappi Biotech as a source of lignosulphonate, producing 25,000 tons per annum of lignosulphonate in powder form and 35,000 tons per annum of liquid product. Used in the manufacture of ready-mix concrete, pelletising of animal feed, pet food and fertilisers, the production of ceramics and clay bricks as a binding agent and in road dust management and soil stabilisation applications, our lignosulphonate product is an exciting addition to the mill’s product range. We procure board and paper for recycling from an extensive network of agents across the country. From this source, the mill produces 60,000 tons of ReFibre for its own consumption per annum. Sappi Forests has access to 399,000 hectares of owned and leased sustainably managed forests in South Africa. All wood grown on Sappi-owned land and a large proportion grown on plantations managed by us is Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC™)-certified. Sappi Southern Africa Forestry was also awarded the first ever Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certification in South Africa. Approximately 136,000 hectares of our land is set aside and maintained by Sappi Forests to conserve the natural habitat and biodiversity found there, including indigenous forests and wetlands. CONTACT DETAILS HEAD OFFICE Physical Address: 108 Oxford Road, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2198 Tel: +27 (0)11 407 8111 Website: www.sappi.com BRANCHES Global Business Services, Glass House Office Park, 309 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Umhlanga Rocks 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