My Brilliant Career: Listening, lobbying and good leadership grow clients and colleagues

What is the Consumer Goods Council (CGCSA), and what does it do?

The CGCSA is a non-profit organisation representing more than 9,000 members in the fast-moving consumer goods sector.

The sector is one of the largest employers in the country, providing employment to more than 2.5-million people, and contributes up to 20% of national GDP.

The CGCSA’s role is mostly to advocate and lobby on behalf of our members with relevant government departments, agencies and important structures such as local governments on policy and regulatory matters that affect our sector in particular, and the wider economy in general.

What does your job as CEO involve?

Strategic membership growth of the CGCSA, engaging and interacting with relevant stakeholders, including government departments and other industry associations/bodies, policy lobbying and advocacy on behalf of members and ensuring that CGCSA works as a cohesive team to achieve our organisational and membership objectives.

What are the main challenges facing your industry?

The challenges include regulatory and policy uncertainty, power and infrastructure crises, regulatory overburden and dysfunctional municipalities.

Load-shedding has become a main source of concern for our sector and members. This year, we have experienced more than 2,000 hours of load-shedding as a country, and no economy, particularly one such as ours which is still in its growth phase, can withstand such severe disruptions to business and social life.

How did you end up in this role?

I have more than 20 years of human resources (HR) and strategic management experience. I started as an HR administrator intern at Nestlé SA in 1998 and rose through various HR strategic and management roles at companies such as Eskort, Roshcon, a subsidiary of Eskom, Bidvest Bank and Avis Fleet Services before joining the CGCSA in 2013 as HR manager.

I was appointed executive: HR and communication in 2016 and CEO with effect from July 1 2022.

I hold two honours degrees in HR development, and industrial psychology and organisational development — from Unisa — as well as an MBA from the University of South Wales. I also serve on the boards of the Wholesale and Retail Seta and Steve Biko Academic Hospital.

What makes you good at your job?

My ability to listen, willingness to collaborate to achieve desired outcomes and treating others as colleagues first and professionals second. I believe in the adage that you are as good as the team you lead and therefore have to demonstrate leadership that encourages teamwork, collaboration and robust debate and engagement.

What is your morning routine?

I check what pivotal matters need my attention and touch base with top individuals driving those initiatives. Scan the news updates. Then it’s my kids’ routine — getting them ready for school, packing lunches and so on.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

A teacher. In high school I would use free periods to teach other pupils to grasp concepts, and this in turn aided my learning.

Being a teacher, you are at the forefront of moulding young minds, and I’m eternally grateful to teachers who have impacted my life positively.

What is your go-to career advice?

Show up and show off to the best of your ability.