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Up Home Up Pindiwe Filtane PINDIWE FILTANE is a social entrepreneur who runs a company called Mbasane Women in IT. This is a company that focusses on upskilling unemployed IT graduates. She has been in IT for the past 25 years, so she says that she understands the struggles. Pindiwe said that she never aspired to be a programmer when she started working. However, that was the job that she got, and she spent seven and a half years behind the laptop. Her company is therefore more about going back to where she thought she wanted to be. Looking at her journey and where she was when she started and when she left the corporate executive level, makes it easy for her to understand what these graduates are looking for. In addition, she knows what skills they are not equipped with and then she bridges that gap. “I understand that when you finish your degree, you don’t have it all. We have an end game in mind, where we look at the client and see what they are looking for and then upskill the graduates. The idea is for them to be employable at the end of the training or start their own businesses.” Mbasane Women in IT also works for companies that are looking to upskill their small businesses or start-ups and equips them with the basic business skills. A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT Pindiwe says that she bases her successes on seeing the impact of what they do. “When the graduates get into the corporate environment and they perform well and the clients are saying thank you, that for me, is a sense of achievement. Because we know what we have achieved, and we have given the companies what they are looking for.” “We don’t just focus on technical skills, we look at honing these graduates, so that they are better people in terms of the general etiquette that is needed in business. Nobody teaches you that, so we fill that gap and make sure that we build on their soft skills as well,” explained Pindiwe. KNOCKING ON DOORS The challenges that Pindiwe has faced are related to being a small business. She has had to knock on doors, make people understand that they are different from others, and make sure that they understand why they are doing what they are doing. She commented, “Because I love what I do, it works when I tell my clients what we do, instead of writing a proposal that is not going to tell the person the story behind the business. I believe that when people hear my story, they understand why I am doing this. The challenge is getting to the person who will listen to you, and I must say when they do listen, then I have my foot in the door. That is how I manage to manoeuvre in business, get that appointment, sit in front of the client, share my story, and ask them what it is you want to achieve?” FUTURE GOALS Pindiwe’s future goal is to build the business. She says, “I believe that there is a lot of help needed out there for these young graduates, and the SMEs or start-ups and somebody has to do it. A lot of us are needed; the cake is big enough; we can all share in the cake and all of us need to do something. There’s a skill gap, there are few women in IT. What are we doing about it? So, for me, it is to grow the business and empower as many women as I can, so that is why it is all about women in IT. Pindiwe says that when she gets a chance to stand in front of any audience, be it young graduates, be it young start-ups, she says that they need to see and appreciate where they are, then they can build on that. She commented, “There’s a lot out there that is happening. People are so angry, people don’t have jobs, people hide their certificates just to set their foot in the door. Then when they are inside that anger comes out. So, I say show the people what you can do. Show them what you have, because when you walked in, you accepted that job, so now do better.” She added that when she gets an opportunity to run programmes for the companies that have already employed the people, she finds that often employee performance or attitude is not up to scratch. “I say to them you accepted this job, you knew it was not what you wanted to do, so start here and you will go far. No one is going to accept you if you are grumpy. No one is going to notice you if you are not happy. If your certificate is with HR, no one else knows that you have a diploma or a degree, so do the best where you are and then you can move from there.” A GREAT OPPORTUNITY Pindiwe spends a lot of time watching her son playing sport and that takes her away from the working environment as she gets to be a mother. She also like walking. “When I get to walk, I get to think, I get to come up with solutions to problems that I would not have come up with when I am sitting at home, so doing the walks and being in touch with nature, that gives me a sense of peace and I enjoy it.” In conclusion, Pindiwe says that this is a great opportunity for women in business to showcase their work and get people to respect them. “We want to be known, we want to be seen, we want to be acknowledged not because we are women, but because of what we do, so this initiative is great for us as women in business.”

< Back Burgette Yarlett Next BURGETTE YARLETT is the founder and owner of Beyond Visible Belief. She is a Master Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner, life coach and motivational speaker providing one-on-one coaching, couples coaching and group workshop facilitation BURGETTE YARLETT is the founder and owner of Beyond Visible Belief. She is a Master Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner, life coach and motivational speaker providing one-on-one coaching, couples coaching and group workshop facilitation. Her business is her calling to positively transform people's lives and make a positive impact on the world. "I inspire and empower people by equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in life," says Burgette. "I get people to go within and realise they already have all the resources they need inside of them, they are sometimes just disconnected from them." From Broken Bones To Breaking Barriers To get where she is today has been quite a journey. She says it could be summarised as "coming from broken bones to breaking barriers." At the age of 21 she had a successful modelling career. Unfortunately, she had a horrific car accident which she miraculously survived, but was left disfigured, "almost without a face". She had a gaping hole where her nose used to be, one eye socket and her cheekbones were crushed, her jaw broken and palate split in half. Burgette does not dwell on the physical rehabilitation process, which included major reconstructive surgery. She admits times were daunting after the accident, having lost her career, confidence and self-belief. She felt depressed but realised she would stay stuck unless she changed herself. She made a decision not to be beaten by the accident and pulled herself out of a dark hole. She studied, read self-help books, and started to learn to dig into her inner strength, potential, and power. She embarked on a career in the corporate world and was successful, but felt unfulfilled. She says, "I lacked direction, I self-sabotaged relationships, and never felt quite good enough. I started to slip back into depression." Nevertheless, she continued to do research and became fascinated by the possibilities of rewiring and reprogramming the brain. Things came into alignment when she met an NLP coach and trainer. Discovering NLP changed her world. Thanks to the trainer and NLP, Burgette had a personal breakthrough and realised helping others though NLP was her calling. She adds, "I started to understand that everything I had gone through was necessary to get where I am today - inspiring, encouraging, helping and empowering others is what I always wanted to do." She studied to become a certified NLP coach and trainer. This was costly, but worth every cent she says. Burgette says every person she coaches inspires her because they have decided to take action and make positive changes. Her mom, who had Burgette when she was just 17, was her first inspiration. She says the beautiful thing about her mom is her amazing tenacity and strength to find joy and positivity in any situation. Self- Belief Is Key According to Burgette, women don't need a different approach to business to men. She believes it just comes down to the individual's self-belief; it does not matter what age or gender you are. When you believe in yourself, you can tap into your potential, take big actions and create big results. Then results lead to more self-belief and more results. Burgette says that she is very happy with what she has accomplished and where she is. She says we can measure success by the amount of joy we get every day. She has so much joy in her life she sometimes thinks she needs to pinch herself. She is very grateful for her amazing husband and other people that support her. "We cause good and bad things in our lives. There is a principle that there is no failure in life, only feedback on how to do things better next time. It is about learning, growing, and doing it better. If you think about how much there is to be grateful for, you can experience joy every day and do amazing things." The growth of her business has been a blessing, and she is excited about what she will still accomplish and where the business will go into the future. She would like to do more work in schools, instilling better thinking and more empowering thoughts in young people. Burgette remarks that life and work balance comes easy for her. Quality time with her husband, friends and family is important, but she also makes time for herself. She does modern dancing, plays the guitar, and makes sure she finds joy in whatever she does. She says it feels wonderful to do her work. After working and seeing people grow and transform, she feels energised as her work is an extension of who she is. The advice Burgette would give her younger self is simply to believe in herself. She says there are no unresourceful people, only unresourceful states of mind. She says she used to be a people pleaser, and she would tell her younger self to open her eyes to who she really is. Burgette says her journey was phenomenal, but she'd do it all over again. It enabled her to do what she loves, "transforming lives and making a positive impact on the world". Previous Next

Up Home Up Caroline Sculley Caroline Sculley or ‘Cah’ as she is known to her colleagues and clients is the Chief Operations Officer at DNKA Inc, a firm of accountants and auditors based in Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal. DNKA is a full-service firm offering services from bookkeeping to audits and everything in between. Caroline’s role is about ensuring that the clients of DNKA receive a high-quality service, while meeting all compliance and statutory requirements. The firm looks after over 300 small and medium sizes business – mainly in KwaZulu-Natal – empowering them with the financial information to run and develop their businesses. Uniquely, Caroline is a non-accountant managing an accounting practice. She draws on her experiences of working with private and public clients in the United Kingdom and South Africa to provide solutions for DNKA’s diverse client base. FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH Since joining DNKA, the firm has tripled its staff complement and registered as a SAICA training office. Caroline explains the benefits: “This is allowing us to create our own CAs and AGAs of the future and expose them to diverse small and medium-sized clients, and wider consulting services beyond assurance. Our team really has grown from strength to strength, and this has allowed us to offer our clients more services, specialisms, and support.” Before Caroline joined DNKA, she was a fulltime international volunteer at WhizzKids United based in Edendale just outside of Pietermaritzburg where she contributed to the management and running of the NGO for two years. Her initial role there was to set up an employability programme for young matric leavers, who live in a community devastated by HIV. Caroline commented, “I am really proud of what was achieved by the young people in that programme, their success is our success.” In addition, she has spent time as a volunteer in the United Kingdom for CHIVA (Children’s HIV Association) where she assisted with their annual residential camps for young people living with HIV. IT TAKES A TEAM Caroline explained that her career has been motivated by her parents who both worked very hard to be where they are today. She added that her parents had always instilled in her the importance of pursuing your goals but also doing everything in a fair and considerate way. “In everything that I do, I try to empower or motivate those around me, and this helps those around me to do the same for me. It really does take a team – in both business and personal life to succeed and I am very proud to be part of my teams,” she commented. One of her biggest challenges has been moving to South Africa and having to navigate a different social and business environment to the UK. She explained, “Moving to a new place on the other side of the world with no support network is hard. Having to be able to adapt and work with people with diverse backgrounds compared to my own took an adjustment. But asking questions, being respectful and empathic can really take you a long way. I also had fantastic support from the other members of the DNKA management team, Nasser and Sthembiso who helped me navigate the new environment.” She explained further, “My team at DNKA are my motivation, I want to create opportunities and growth for them so that they can meet their goals.” Speaking of other challenges, Caroline added, “I have at times doubted my role as a non-accountant in an accounting world, but through seeing the success of our work, and the growth of our practice and clients – I am now very confident that I make a valuable contribution to this industry. Our practice is more than accounting and numbers, it is all about growing businesses and I am a businesswoman, in the business world. This is where I am meant to be.” Caroline is really excited to continue to grow DNKA and would also like to enroll for an MBA in the next 12-24 months. At home, she wants to raise her three daughters to be strong, empathic, and passionate people who can pursue their happiness. EMBRACE OPPORTUNITY Caroline would advise young women to “embrace every experience and opportunity”. She added, “At school, university and beyond I have tried to say ‘Yes’ as much as possible, and this has led to travel, odd part time jobs, conferences, and meetings. All these experiences, as random as they may have been, have added to the richness and diversity of my experiences.” For example, she says if she hadn’t answered an advert in a United Kingdom newspaper for holiday camp volunteers, she wouldn’t have worked with CHIVA in the United Kingdom. This experience led her to Whizzkids United in South Africa, which in turn led her to meeting her husband and setting up a life here in KwaZulu-Natal. Caroline is married to Julian and is the mother to a toddler – Penelope aged three, and two teenage stepdaughters (Melissa 15, Alex 12). Caroline was supposed to be in SA for six months but met Julian and the rest is history. As a family, they love to go away for weekends spent camping, and she also loves to get stuck in to DIY home and craft projects.

< Back Nashikta Authar Angadh Next NASHIKTA AUTHAR ANGADH is a Partner in KPMG and heads up the Business Resilience and Continuity Services unit of South Africa NASHIKTA AUTHAR ANGADH is a Partner in KPMG and heads up the Business Resilience and Continuity Services unit of South Africa. Her function can be summarised as preparing clients for planned and unplanned disasters. She involves herself with organisations at a deep level to understand their critical processes and the potential risks they face to develop a "fit for purpose recovery strategy" to be used in the event of a disaster. When Nashikta was thrown into the deep end to take the reins in leading Business Resilience for KPMG she began by "rolling up her sleeves, embracing the books, and soaking up and entrenching herself in the information". Along the way, she gained critical insights into client practices. A mentor, "her North Star" offered valuable support and advice. She also learned from her team that supported her. Ultimately, things came together, and she became recognised as a leading expert in her field, progressing in the firm to where she is today. An inspiration Nashikta finds inspiration in books, videos and in various people, including her selfless and elegant mom. Her dad is, however, her main source of inspiration. He did not finish school and his limited financial means made starting a business difficult. Additionally, he had serious health issues, but he overcame the odds and made a success of life. "Looking past his business success, he is an amazing soul," she says, one who changed many people's lives. His belief, "service to man is service to God" became her belief too, allowing her to balance her accomplishments with remembering who she is and where she comes from. Deal with internal barriers To demonstrate the difference between men and women in business, Nashikta uses a recent event. She was in a boardroom with "powerful men and women from across SA". The tea lady walked in and placed a tea tray on the table between a gentleman and a lady. The lady glared at the tray in a way that suggested she thought serving tea would reduce her power in the room. However, the gentleman got up and cheerfully served the tea. This incident made Nashikta realise that: "as women, we need to deal with the internal barriers we create for ourselves that prevent us from being what we can be and doing what we need to do. Women need to be bold enough to make the tea without worrying what everyone thinks and what their opinions are." Historically, there were many challenges between men and women, however businesses have progressed and created numerous platforms for women, which should be embraced. A work-life balance requires structure Nashikta has an excellent support structure which contributes hugely to her work-life balance; both her mother and mother-in-law look after her son when she is travelling, allowing her to focus on work. The KPMG work environment is very flexible, making it easier to get things done anywhere and at any time. She makes sure not to diddle-daddle and focuses on business during business hours, so work in her personal time is unnecessary. Nashikta is grateful for her wonderful husband who takes charge with chores around the house and is a hands on Dad. He has been her pillar of strength and encourages her to grab on to opportunities, even if it results in added pressure on himself. She quips, "If all else fails, just pray for energy, tolerance, patience, and guidance to be a good parent, because that is the most important aspect of a work-life balance." Practical spirituality Her spiritual background is very important to Nashikta. She belongs to the Sri Sathya Sai organisation which is based on five human values: "truth, love, nonviolence, right conduct, and peace". She tries to live by these in everything she does. Nashikta sustained serious injuries in a vehicle accident during 2013. Spinal surgery prevented permanent paralysis, but she was confined to her bed for three months and had to learn to regain movement and walk during a long, difficult recovery. She says her spirituality carried her during this tough time and made her appreciate life. When KPMG experienced difficulties in recent years she felt alarmed but did not leave and tried to demonstrate the five values as a leader. She believes leadership is tested during challenging circumstances, not when everything seems good. Authentic self She is happy with what she has achieved and proud of winning the Business Continuity Institute's 2019 award for "Business Continuity Institute, Africa, Resilience and Continuity Specialist". She is hoping for further success in the global category. Being involved in developing continuity strategies for businesses and government departments, Nashikta says the "philanthropist in her" wants to take this a step further and develop a strategy for South Africa. She explains: "If the country is faced with something similar to a 9/11 attack or escalated xenophobic attacks, SA has to be ready and I want to make sure that we are." The advice Nashikta would give her younger self is not to shy away from shining and be confident in her strengths. Being diligent and assiduous, she stood out at primary school, making her unpopular with some kids. She then held back to avoid attracting attention during high school. But at university and with her career, Nashikta says, "I decided to just be my authentic self. This allowed me to excel and get to where I am." Previous Next

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< Back Next Shaaz Moosa Shaaz Moosa is the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Supahot Geysers and MS Group Holdings Shaaz Moosa is the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Supahot Geysers and MS Group Holdings. His business career has been motivated by his family who have all operated business enterprises. Straight after finishing matric, and with their support, Shaaz started his own business journey in the insurance industry. This experience taught him a lot about communicating with people, about how money works as well as the finance industry. He quickly decided to become an independent insurance broker and applied for his license. By the age of 19 he had multiple contracts. However, Shaaz commented that he realised that the insurance industry did not offer the long-term business growth, which would enable him to reach his goals. Consequently, he started dabbling in a variety of businesses including the property market. In 2006 Shaaz’s father tragically passed away and his entire world changed as Shaaz was now required to be the family leader and take care of everyone. HARD WORK While looking for other business opportunities, Shaaz got involved with the Scooters’ pizza brand, opening up Halaal stores. He explained, “Over three years, we opened up multiple stores and I soon realised that this is very hard work as the effort to financial reward did not make sense. I found that it was better for me to open up stores and sell them off. Whilst doing that I was buying one/two- bedroom apartments, as at that time the avenue to credit was quite easy.” As the values of properties was going up, when Shaaz sold these properties off, he was able to build an asset base. “I realised unintentionally, that I’d become a serial businessman. At the time FNB invited myself and a close friend of mine, who has passed away, to do a mini-MBA. He convinced me to do this mini- MBA with him, which we completed in just over a year.” Shaaz said the course was self-empowering and due to his practical business experience, he understood finances better, and he was able to enhance himself. Shaaz mentioned that he has always had good teams and support structures. His mom, wife, as well as his family, and ‘phenomenal’ friends are always willing to assist. He explained, “It’s not about finance, it’s about hearing you, guiding you, motivating you, and being able to learn from people and what they’ve done over the years. I think that experience is the basis for the success of who I am today.” GIVE FROM WHAT YOU HAVE In commenting on his motivation to succeed, Shaaz said, “I strongly believe that if you do the right things, the Almighty opens up the doors for you. If you assist the community, your people, family, etc, then the Almighty will give you more. That is the advice that I give to every young person today. Don’t wait until you have money, give from what you have, and the Almighty is going to give you more. And if you’re doing right, with the right moral compass, the Almighty will certainly make sure that he gives you that responsibility.” “You have to give back into your communities. You have to give back to your family, whether it’s in time or money. You have to include people and by doing that, success is automatic. We must understand that success is not just measured in finances, there’s no point in having lots of money if you’re not a person that one can sit and talk to.” “The rule that I would advise to anybody who wants to do anything, is to give 5% more. Because that 5% more is what allows you to be better than the rest. I use an analogy of boiling water, and it’s a 5% rule. I’m in the geyser business, so I can be more technical about it,” he said with a smile. “Water boils at 100°C. At 100° C what that process can do is limitless. You can create power, and from that power you can create electricity, steam trains, etc. At 95°C what can you do? Have a cup of tea and that’s all. That 5% extra is what unlocks the multitude of other things that you can do, and to achieve that you’ve just got to persevere, be consistent and disciplined.” In addition to the 5% rule, Shaaz said that if you look at the top 100 companies in the world and their CEOs and founders, they have the quality of starting early. “When I say starting early, I’m talking about the 4:00 am rule. One should start work early and that allows you to work hard.” Shaaz’s career has not been without challenges, which in his early days included a lack of credit facilities due to his young age. This challenge forced him to be more creative and to look at out- of-the-box solutions. One solution was to develop business partnerships, and Shaaz now has multiple partners in a range of businesses and projects. In commenting on his leadership style, Shaaz says he prefers working with inclusion rather than in an authoritative style. “I’m surrounded by a phenomenal team, and I prefer having the buy in and understanding from our key staff. We set up our plan and our mission for what we’re wanting to achieve. Including our staff in this process has led to the success of our business.” Shaaz started the Supahot geyser journey in 2018 and the company has now become the third geyser manufacturer in the country. He explained that their success is due to keeping their expenses low and to the relationships that they have built. To relax Shaaz enjoys time with his family. “I think with my busy schedule and timelines, I find joy in spending time with my family. As I have achieved much because of the support, the blessings, and prayers of my mum, I try as much as possible to be there for her. I’ve got a wonderful spouse who’s very supportive of me, and I’ve actually grown quite a bit because of her support.” In conclusion, the motto that Shaaz lives is: “To do good, speak well and listen to people.” Previous Next

< Back Next Pran Shree Pran Shree is the founder and chief executive officer of Shree Property Holdings Pran Shree, is the founder and chief executive officer of Shree Property Holdings. Pran’s odyssey from a butcher’s boy to a global business leader is closely tied to pivotal moments in his life. His journey started as a butcher’s boy in his father’s business, beginning when he was in grade seven. However, his path changed after he married. “I got married at 20 and when I had my first son, I realised I needed more than just working as a blockman in my father’s butcher shop,” he explains. This realisation led Pran to open his own butchery. Within a few years, he purchased his first truck to handle his business. “As soon as I had my own truck, other people wanted to use our services, so I started meat wholesaling. That’s how I grew the business,” he says. A further opportunity arose when mad cow disease hit South Africa. “We faced a meat shortage. That’s when we started importing from places like Australia, South America, Northen Canada and even Ireland,” he recalls. When the Fanny Mae crash took place in the United States in 2008, there was a global halt on trade. Consequently, as he was unable to move stock, his need for warehouses outstripped his supply, so he began purchasing warehouses. “We went from three warehouses to ten in a single year,” Pran notes. With each new obstacle, Pran adapted by expanding his offerings and, in turn, his business. He also saw an opening to expand into property. “We couldn’t find food-grade warehouses that met our standards, so we decided to build our own,” he explains. “I made the decision to purchase old buildings, demolish them, and rebuild them as what people now call “Pran Shree Buildings”– specifically designed food-grade warehouses with open layouts and no columns, according to my own design.” Over the years, this decision transformed into a massive enterprise, with Shree Property Holdings now managing nearly three million square metres of warehousing space worldwide. STRONG SYNERGY In addition, Pran has created a strong synergy within the business, operating successfully year-round. The company has a busy five months for citrus, followed by another five months preparing for Easter. “So, when you and your grandchildren enjoy Easter eggs each year, they’ve been safely stored in our food- grade warehouses. That’s how I ensure my people have year-round employment. Previously, due to the seasonal nature of the business, I had to lay them off for six months each year,” he explained. Pran’s purpose is deeply rooted in his values and upbringing. He reflects on his mother’s generosity as a butcher, recalling how she gave meat to those in need during Christmas. “I used to ask her why she did it when people didn’t even thank her,” he remembers. “This ethos of giving and community drives Pran’s purpose. “If we can employ two people, they can feed six,” he says, adding that their warehouses on the North Coast indirectly support about 24,000 people. “That’s what drives me – knowing that we’re helping people lead better lives.” For Pran, his greatest accomplishment lies in the legacy he leaves behind. “A building is like a signature on the earth,” he says. He takes pride in the structures he has created, but even more so in the values he passes on to his family. “I have five grandchildren with a sixth on the way, and I want them to grow up humble, with their feet on the ground, and caring towards others. I’m still working on that accomplishment but it’s my life’s greatest ambition,” he shares. ACCOUNTABILITY AND GROWTH The 2021 riots in Durban, Pran says, were a low point in his life. “We were devastated, but there was no time to dwell on it,” he recounts. While he was away, his team and the local community banded together to protect their properties. “The way people stood together, from the local security companies to our own staff, was incredible.” Pran believes this experience showcased the resilience and unity of Durbanites, a spirit that has continued to inspire him and his team. Pran’s approach to motivating his team is one of accountability and growth. “I tell them that everyone makes mistakes, but we can’t make the same one twice,” he says. “We’ll get to the bottom of any problem,” he adds. “We’ll assist, we’ll educate. But I give only one chance for each person to look at themselves and decide, ‘Do you want to do this or not?’ This approach keeps everyone on their toes.” He added with a laugh, “I also have cameras everywhere.” Pran finds much inspiration in those people he has admired since he was young. “As a boy, I’d go with my dad on Saturdays to buy lamb from Nicos Criticos at Chester Meats on Point Road,” he recalls. Today, Nicos remains close, and he has continued to support Pran. Looking forward, Pran envisions significant improvements in KwaZulu-Natal’s infrastructure and tourism. “Transnet and PRASA need to come in strong,” he notes, emphasising the need for a reliable rail and port system. Pran also believes that security and peace of mind are vital to reviving the region’s tourist appeal. “Imagine being able to walk from Suncoast to the Point without looking over your shoulder,” he says, convinced that a safe, bustling tourism sector will bring economic growth. “If we can get that back, KZN has a bright future.” In conclusion, Pran’s motto is simple: “Happy wife, happy life”. He attributes much of his success to the harmony he maintains in his home. “If your household is in order, everything else falls into place,” he explains. Having worked alongside his wife and children for over 40 years, Pran knows the importance of a supportive family. “It’s not just another job for us; it’s our life,” he says. Pran Shree’s journey is a story of adaptation, resilience, and purpose. With each challenge, he has expanded his impact, building a legacy that he hopes will serve his community and family long after he is gone. Previous Next

< Back Preona Naidoo

I just embrace life and live each day and take it as an opportunity to make things right, to empower others with my own life’s journey < Back Nozuko Basson Regional Manager for Communities and Corporate Affairs Tronox South Africa Nozuko Basson’s role at Tronox, which is based in northern KZN, entails making sure that the mining company honours its responsibility of creating value for its stakeholders, of which, communities take centre stage. The most significant event in Nozuko’s life is, she says, when she became a mother. “I had my daughter when I was fairly young and from the moment she arrived in this world, I knew that the game had changed. It’s an ambition of mine, that when my daughter is asked who your role model is, she mentions my name.” In ensuring that she is an inspiration to her daughter, Nozuko constantly evaluates how she behaves, how she practices professionalism in the workplace, and how she treats other people. Nozuko believes that she has got to where she is today through hard work, dedication, a lot of praying and the support from many people who have crossed her path. “I’m somebody who is focused on her religion. I’m a Christian and I’ve always believed that everything that I do is enabled by my faith. I started my career as a journalist, but I realised that was not the life that I wanted to live. I’m not a social and out-there type of person, so I moved into public relations. I was fortunate to work for an agency where I had an amazing mentor who helped me in building the capability to understand how media relations works.” From there, Nozuko moved onto one of South Africa’s largest medical insurance organisations, Discovery. Here, Nozuko said, she had mentors who helped guide her through her career. “I’ve been fortunate that I had other people lifting me, guiding me, and making sure that I stayed on the right track. My journey has been difficult; it’s always good to be reminded by those who are ahead of you how to remain positive and confident in what you are doing.” Having courage Nozuko says that her decision to move to KwaZulu-Natal has been an amazing journey that has required her to really stretch herself. This meant going into areas where she thought she would never be able to venture. She added, “Just having the courage to really push myself and push the boundaries for my team members so that we all work towards one single vision. This requires that we stay close to the cause and really live our own personal values, as well as the values of the organisation in which I work right now.” In commenting on the challenges that she has faced, Nozuko says that as a young female professional, the first challenge that she would like to focus on, is the “pull her down syndrome”. “When you, as a female, start rising in your career there are times when other females do everything in their power to pull you down. I have a strong view that if one of us rise, we all rise. It’s hard enough being a young female, let alone being black in the workplace; we need to hold each other up and motivate each other.” The second challenge she has faced is working in the mining industry, which is a male dominated sector. Over that, working within the community, which is also a male led environment that still subscribes to traditional practices has brought a great deal of learning, that has come with its own difficulties. Currently, the third challenge has been dealing with unconventional community issues, that pose a serious risk to Tronox’s public reputation. “This is where the company’s values, procedures and policies need to guide you to deal with the challenges in a manner that does not compromise your role or its reputation,” said Nozuko. “Lastly, I have often found myself feeling not quite welcome around the ‘table’, as if I am a token BEE candidate,” says Nozuko. “I’ve learnt that I shouldn’t wait for somebody to offer me a seat at the table. If there’s no seat for a female in the workplace or in this industry, you bring your own, and that’s something that I have really started being vocal about.” Leaving behind a legacy In the future, Nozuko wants to leave behind a legacy that says, “When Nozuko Basson was in that community or was working in that organisation, she made a positive difference.” In terms of her career, she sees herself growing from strength to strength. Right now, she is focused on her work in South Africa, but soon, she wants to share her knowledge and skills with the rest of the world. Nozuko added that she is fortunate to work for an organisation that has the platform that will allow her to do so when the time is right. On the personal side, Nozuko wants to travel the world. “I want to touch other lives in my own personal space. I want to live my best life and it’s something that I’m making a deliberate effort in doing and I know that I’m on the right track.” In advising others, she says, “It’s important not to be side-tracked by other people’s opinions. It’s important to remain true to yourself. It’s important that when you venture out, you understand that not everybody will be cheering for you, so learn to be your own cheerleader and as you’re cheering yourself, cheer those around you because they may not know the power that they have within themselves.” Nozuko believes one needs to put their heart into everything that they do. “I always say to people, if you’re not going to give it your all, rather don’t start. I believe in dazzling people. One of Tronox’s values speaks to doing the right work, the right way in every aspect of our business and that’s really what I subscribe to. I don’t take short cuts; it’s about doing something right all the time. It’s behaving in an ethical way and ensuring that everything I touch, doesn’t only represent organisational integrity, but also my own personal integrity.”

< Back Next Melanie Veness Melanie Veness is the chief executive officer of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business Melanie Veness, chief executive officer of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, has a deep-rooted passion for South Africa, shaped by her early years spent in Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve. Reflecting on this time, she says she is passionate about Africa. “Her smells, her sounds, everything about the Bush. It’s deeper than my soul, and I love her passionately.” Her family moved to East London, where Melanie began her education at Stirling Primary School followed by Beaconhurst Primêre Skool. She attended Hudson Park High School before relocating to Durban and then to Pietermaritzburg, where she completed her schooling at Carter High School. Afterwards, Melanie entered the workforce and later pursued a BCom in industrial and organisational psychology from UNISA. Melanie remarked that her first job was as a clerk at the Receiver of Revenue, at the time when everything was processed manually. “That will tell you that it was a while back,” she laughed. Today, as CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, Melanie believes that she is privileged to serve as a voice for the business community. “From a Chamber perspective, my why is really to give voice to the issues that business face and to try to help through advocacy to create a more conducive environment for them to operate in,” she explains. Melanie’s mission aligns with her personal goal of contributing positively to society by addressing issues related to inequality and access to opportunities. She is cause-driven by a desire to leave a positive mark on the world. PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS When asked about her proudest accomplishments, Melanie highlights the cumulative impact of several key moments rather than a single event. On a personal level, she takes pride in raising two well-adjusted, happy young adults, describing this as “probably the greatest thing I’ve done on a personal level.” Professionally, Melanie is proud of her ability to stand up and voice difficult truths on behalf of the business community, even when challenging. “I guess having the guts to be able to stand up and say some of the stuff that needs to be said on behalf of business, it’s not always easy to do that,” she shares. Another accomplishment is the Chamber’s Global Export Accelerator Programme. Each success in this programme represents the tangible outcome of Melanie and her team’s efforts to foster economic growth. She reflects, “Cumulatively, that’s meaningful work. When each of those businesses has a measure of success…all of those are celebrations.” Melanie has relied on two key pieces of advice throughout her career. The first came from her mother, who taught her that reacting dramatically to a situation won’t change the outcome. “You can throw yourself on the floor, you can have a tantrum… but when you get up, it’s going to be exactly the same. So, you can decide whether or not it’s worth the effort,” Melanie explains. The second piece of advice came from a mentor who encouraged Melanie to enter situations of potential conflict fully prepared to be convinced of the other person’s point of view. “Go in being 100% prepared to be convinced of the other person’s point of view,” she recalls. If she remains unconvinced, she should then prepare to present her own case persuasively. One of the most significant challenges Melanie has faced was during the July 2021 riots in KwaZulu- Natal. During this time, she felt completely helpless as she was unable to secure help for her Chamber members. “I’m a fixer…when I get a call, I find a way,” she explains. But during the riots, there was no help available, and the devastation she witnessed was deeply unsettling. Standing amidst the debris and destruction, Melanie grappled with the harsh reality that those people who incited the violence did so for selfish motives, fully aware of the harm they would cause to people’s livelihoods and lives. “I don’t think that it’s something that I’ve gotten over, and I don’t think that I will until there is some justice,” she reflects. MOTIVATING A TEAM Despite the challenges, Melanie manages to keep her team, composed mostly of women, motivated. They have been with her for a long time and have developed a close-knit bond. To keep team spirit high, Melanie incorporates fun activities into their routine, from adventure outings to spa days. Moreover, the work they do is inherently rewarding, which contributes to the team’s motivation. “Every time one of our entrepreneurs has a win, that’s cause for celebration, that’s the really meaningful stuff,” Melanie explains. Melanie draws inspiration from questioners, people who seek new understanding and are willing to challenge their own beliefs. She admires individuals who speak truth to power and advocate for positive change without personal agendas. She acknowledges the influence of mentors in her life, particularly Moeletsi Mbeki, who has shaped her approach to leadership. Additionally, Melanie, says with a smile, she is a fan of Tannie Evita, whose candidness inspires her. FUTURE VISION Looking ahead, Melanie envisions a future where businesses in South Africa can operate in an environment conducive to their success. She dreams of an economy where most of the population is economically active, and she is committed to advocating for policies that can help achieve this vision. However, she acknowledges that much depends on the political leadership that emerges following the 2024 elections. Two issues are close to her heart. First, she is passionate about the promise of an integrated society made in 1994, which she feels has not been adequately pursued. “There has not been any intentional action to ensure that happens,” she notes. Secondly, is the current government procurement system which Melanie believes fosters opportunism rather than developing sustainable businesses. She advocates for a system that builds competencies and supports the growth of SMEs into medium-sized enterprises capable of servicing both government and private sectors. Melanie’s overarching philosophy in life and work is to continue adding value as long as it brings joy and fulfillment. “You’ve got to ensure that what you’re doing is adding value and is fun. Otherwise, what’s the point?” she concludes. Previous Next