The BWASA (Business Women’s Association of South Africa) Women in Leadership Census 2021 found that only 27.7% of directors and 29.4% of executive managers were women in the companies surveyed. Yet, women in leadership positions statistically outperform men in many areas. Empact Group is proud of its Level 1 BBBEE status and is committed to empowering women in every aspect of the business. In celebration of Women’s Month and because we are a purpose-led organisation, we asked some incredible women who empower our company to share what empowerment in the workplace means to them.
Regina Mokanyane – Tea Lady
Regina is responsible for seeing her colleagues and visitors to Empact headquarters always feel welcome and refreshed. She is the friendly face that works behind the scenes, taking positivity with her every step.
Regina says, “I love working at Empact because of the people. They are happy, friendly and hardworking. I love my job and the people I work with. It feels like they are my family. I am treated with respect every day. The best part of my day is making tea for Mr Quinn. He is an amazing boss, and he treats everyone the same. I love seeing his smile every day.”
Salwa Albertyn – GM Payroll
Salwa’s philosophy is to lead by example – to encourage, challenge, and motivate. She firmly believes in creating a peaceful and happy environment for her team, with extra care regarding work-life balance. Salwa says it brings her great joy to see team members become better versions of themselves.
Says Salwa, “I never underestimate the number of people we need to pay every month. And I know what it means for employees to receive their salaries on time. It greatly impacts an employee’s life if they don’t receive their salaries timeously.”
Sphiwe Mayinga – Chief People Officer
Sphiwe believes there is more to people management than just doing it by the numbers. Human Resources professionals are the trusted protectors of the company’s greatest assets – the people that give the organisation its true purpose. “None of us are just here to perform a designated function,” says Sphiwe. “I am here to make a difference and positively impact the lives in our world. A career is a platform to live out our purposes in life and, hopefully, leave a legacy.”
Zukiswa Quagraine – GM for Operations
Zukiswa remembers a poignant quote from Rosalynn Carter, who said:
“A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go but ought to be.”
She explains, “This is my leadership philosophy – to get the best out of people. We are all different and have many skills and attributes that we bring to our teams. Authentic leadership is the ability to bring out the best in people through coaching, understanding, and mentorship.
“Empowering people means harnessing their strengths and skills and giving them a safe space to learn, grow and improve. I harness their strengths and skills, aiming to stretch the focus onto solving tomorrow’s problems today by adopting a forward-thinking mindset.”
Lara Barlow – HSE Director
Lara is the custodian of the Group’s Health, Safety, and Environment policy – a role she takes to heart every day. “When we know we have made an impact,” says Lara, “we are driven to excel. We need to make everyone at every level in the organisation aware of their value and impact. Shared impact inspires drive and the desire to achieve more extraordinary things.”
Sanele Mlambo – Head of Marketing
Sanele is tasked with putting Empact Group on the map by creating brand awareness and shining a spotlight on what Empact Group has to offer its clients. She shares: “My philosophy towards work and career is based on good leadership. I am committed to inspiring my team, providing guidance, and leading by example. Only then can we reach our goals as a collective. I believe that a collaborative approach combined with a coaching element is the most effective way to achieve not only achieve common goals and personal goals for each team member. Allow people to problem-solve on their own means; they can dictate their own growth trajectory. By giving everyone the space to do it themselves, this kind of working environment gives people a voice in how things are run, leading to higher employee engagement and a more motivated team.”
Sarika Sujan – Infection Prevention & Control Specialist
L – Lead by example
A – An attitude of ongoing learning that is purpose-focused must always be fostered
D – Develop a blueprint of trust, loyalty, and effective communication
E – Empathy matters
R – Relationships rule
Sarika says, “Globally, we live in a dynamic state. Constant change impacts people physically, emotionally and mentally, which further impacts their work. This is why we need to foster an ongoing empowerment experience for people, so they are equipped with knowledge that influences their skills and behaviour.”
The leading ladies at Empact Group work daily to serve as an example to their peers, customers, and teams. We celebrate their valuable contributions in Women’s Month and every day. We are grateful to them for empowering our organisation to keep moving ahead.
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