Page 86 - Maritime Book 1

THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP
CAPTAIN KGADI MATLALA HARBOUR MASTER: PORT OF EAST LONDON
The support Captain Kgadi Ma ala received from her mentors helped transform her from a young woman living in a land-locked province, into a formidable woman in leadership at the Port of East London.
Captain Matlala is Harbour Master at the Port of East London – a goal she achieved through hard work and determination, with the support of mentors, who were willing to share their knowledge and skills and gave sel essly of their time.
Limpopo-born Matlala joined TNPA’s Port of Port Elizabeth in 2007, where she worked as a trainee tug master, tug master, marine pilot and later, served as Deputy Harbour Master, before taking up her current role.
“In my time, I have had a lot of mentors and learned from a lot of people in the maritime eld. The rst was Desmond Basson, Marine Technical Manager in the Port of Port Elizabeth. He was a tug master at the time and taught me everything about port operations especially the admin side. Most of us mariners don’t enjoy paperwork much, but he was one person who really set me up for success,” Captain Matlala said.
“Another was Captain Brynn Adamson who I worked with for eight years. I had the privilege of working with him as a Deputy Harbour Master. He taught me a lot about leadership, how to create a conducive environment for people and the importance of seeing the whole team win. He played a crucial role in my training and in shaping the person I am today as a Harbour Master.”
Another important role model and source
of inspiration was, Xoliswa Bekiswa, Marine Operations Manager in the Port of Ngqura, one of the rst Black women in this role, under whom Captain Matlala worked as both a tug master and marine pilot during her time at the Port of Port Elizabeth.
“I don’t think one can ever really understand the hard work and challenges that the rst person goes through. For me, she paved the way. I remember when I started as a pilot and was focusing only on jobs that were required for
my next licence , she would always encourage me to do more. I think I obtained my open licence quicker thanks to her motivation and encouragement.”
The support she received throughout her own journey, has fuelled Captain Matlala’s passion for helping younger employees thrive in the space. Her advice to youth looking to join the industry is: “Find a mentor, work hard and have fun!”
“We are here to help you. The company has worked so hard to transform. I started as a cadet – somebody like me from Limpopo, who had never been to the sea before or even seen the ocean,
is now working in the port system. The same opportunities that I had are available to the youth of today.”
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