Page 153 - KZN Top Business LEADERS-eBook

ESAYVANIE (ESAY) REDDY

sayvanie (Esay) Reddy group chief executive LIFE CHALLENGES and that you know that you can do, because as
at the RR Group is an accomplished business women we can accomplish anything. I am the
Esay is the mother to three children Kerushin,
woman with 30 plus years of experience in walking example of that.”
Venisha and Kreeshan who work in the business.
Ethe petroleum, quick service restaurant,
Being a mom, a wife and working within the She says that one of the most important things
healthcare manufacturing, telecommunications,
business has always been a challenge for Esay. Her about being a female in business is ensuring
and distribution industry. The group comprises
method of balancing her life was to separate the that you are happy. The RR Group focuses on
KZN Oils and KZN Oils Transport, JD Telecoms,
different aspects. “Once I was at work, it was just ensuring their employees wellbeing is taken care
Kolay Home of Chicken, Ko-Lay, Champion Health
about work and while I was on my way home, I of through a strong human resources department
Care and KVK Property Development.
thought about what I had to cook, what the kids and initiatives such as flexible working hours for
As a qualified business executive, Esay oversees needed, and what I had to do when I got home. It mothers.
the general business management, growth, and also was planning. I found separating, organising,
profitability as well as marketing initiatives from having people to assist helped me along the way A significant achievement for Esay is the
large, medium to small within the RR Group. enabled me to balance growing up kids that are establishment of the Rajen Reddy Foundation,
adults now, running a business that has become which she said came about because she thought
Esay and Rajen Reddy, her late husband, begun very successful, and to stay married for 37 years.” of the things that Rajen wouldn’t be around to
their business journey in 1983 with a Shell Service do – the things that he was so passionate about
Station located in Briardene. Commenting on their Esay reflected that her greatest life challenge has doing. Commenting on the RR Foundation, Esay
many business successes Esay explains, “We got been losing her husband Rajen, she says, has left explained, “Whatever I try to do is always to
to where we are today through lots of hard work large footsteps for her to follow. However, she has honour Rajen and the legacy that he has created
and sacrifice. Both of us had the same goals, which a good knowledge of all the plans, the blueprint, and to ensure that his memory and the things
was a better life for our three children. I started that he had in mind for the group of companies. that he has done in our province continue to get
working with Rajen when my youngest child was Another challenge for her has been the step up done. Our goal is to continue to help the people
one year old; I had to leave him with the helper to into the role of CEO. in our province first – I always believe start at
start cashing up and look after the finances in the home – and then take it out further.” The RR Reddy
“We have over 200 staff that rely on us and after
service station. We worked basically 24/7 in the Foundation has three pillars; these are education,
Rajen passed, the most important thing was to
early days and had to forego holidays.” mental health (philosophical psychology) and
continue with his legacy and honour his memory.
physical health.
Due to the huge amount of time required Rajen I know that is what kept my three children and
decided to sell the service station and move into the myself going. With him not here now we have no She added, “I believe that the group of companies
stationery business. This opportunity came about choice but to step up to the plate and do exactly needs to work hard in order to uplift communities.
when 23 black economic empowerment companies what he has done. It’s the least that we can do to I don’t believe in giving grocery parcels because
were started at the Port of Durban. The venture was say thank you for all the work that he has done all you can only do so for a limited amount of time.”
very challenging as Esay and Rajen knew nothing these years.”
In conclusion Esay said, ““I have found that
about stationery. However, from that initiative an
A PEOPLE-FIRST-FOCUS determination and a strong mindset can get you
opportunity to supply fuel and lubrication to the
anywhere you want to go. We as women are very
port emerged. Throughout Esay’s years of experience, she always
special. We have so many challenges from the
maintained a people-first-focus.
“After a lot of challenges, we got our first order and time that we are born until we pass on and we
that is how KZN Oils was born with the story of that In particular, Esay is passionate about empowering accomplish them with grace, with a lot of stamina
one barrel of oil. KZN Oils, the ‘mothership’ of the women and the RR Group has an 80% taskforce of and with a lot of empathy. And if we can continue
group, was established in 2001, from her all the women in its companies. “My advice to younger with that you can get whatever you want in what
other companies were born,” explains Esay. women is to believe in everything that you think you set your mind and heart to do.”

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