Page 3 - KZN Top Business Awards Supplement- eBook 2025

WOA KZN TOP BUSINESS WOMAN 2025

CHAMPIONING PEOPLE-CENTRED LEADERSHIP

Group, Nosipho has also in rural Eastern Cape to think, ‘I’ve arrived. Now in Singapore, Belgium,
advised at the highest level executive boardrooms I do what I want’. But France, Qatar, and the
of government as special across KwaZulu-Natal, leadership is about people: UK have shaped her into a
advisor to the then Minister South Africa, and the world. seeing them, hearing them, truly international leader,
of Public Enterprises. She “I came here in 2002. I’m helping them.” while remaining deeply
is a key contributor to the just someone who came to rooted in South African
National Logistics Crisis work – and cut my teeth in Determined to shift this soil. Recognitions such as
Committee (NLCC) under ports and logistics in KZN,” paradigm, Nosipho retired Businesswoman of the Year
the Business for South she shared with pride. It is from traditional executive (BWASA), CEO of the Year
Africa (B4SA), where she in this province that she roles to focus fully on (IPM), and induction into
provides strategic insights found her stride, and in consultancy in logistics, the Women in Logistics
and on people, focussing
to address the country’s this community that she on leadership development, Hall of Fame by the OECD
infrastructure and freight continues to serve and uplift. transformation, and reflect the global impact of
challenges at a time of her work.
national urgency. Her leadership is deeply empowerment. Through
rooted in spirituality. “We keynote speeches, podcast In 2025, she launched
Beyond her operational are here because He is,” she platforms, executive The Leadership Table,
acumen in supply chains, said during her acceptance coaching, and facilitation, an exclusive roundtable
logistics turnaround, and speech. “There are so many she’s building a scalable series hosting 15 women
infrastructure strategy, people who touch my ecosystem that nurtures per session – an intimate,
Nosipho is best known for heart… I want to honour ethical, empathetic, and high-impact forum
her people-first leadership the work we do for God.” effective leadership – addressing the unique
style. Speaking at the KZN Her ethos is one of service, particularly among women. challenges of middle
Advocate Pria Hassan, CEO, Women of Africa Group and Nosipho Siwisa- Top Business Awards, she fairness, and legacy. management women in
Damasane, Chairperson, Richards Bay Coal Terminal Nosipho is also the author
reminded the audience, corporate spaces.
“90% of the time, when we A vocal advocate for of five powerful leadership
osipho Siwisa- transformation to every accountable leadership, books: Nosipho Siwisa-Damasane
Damasane stands as space she enters. Her do certain things, people Nosipho does not hesitate continues to lead a quiet
Na trailblazing leader leadership journey is not haven’t understood this to confront South Africa’s Finding the Woman revolution – through
in South Africa’s transport just about the movement concept of leadership being most pressing realities. Within, The Inclusive conversations, strategies,
and logistics sector. With of cargo, but about the about people. I always say “Our country is going Leader, Leading with and the development of
a distinguished executive movement of people – – even with AI, nothing is through a tough time,” she Empathy, Cracking the leaders who listen, who
going to happen without a
career spanning over 27 toward empowerment, person behind it.” declared. “And the biggest Code, and How Women care, and who drive change.
years, she has led complex purpose, and possibility. challenge of this economy is Leaders Thrive – each Her work is a reminder
operations across ports, Nosipho’s unwavering not money – it is leadership. crafted to equip women that leadership is not about
rail, terminals, road, and Currently serving as belief in people is shaped People are not taking time with insight, courage, and titles – it’s about people. And
air transport – bringing Chairman of Richards Bay by her own journey – to develop people. When clarity in their careers. she is lighting the path, one
vision, discipline, and Coal Terminal and the Ivili from humble beginnings they get to the table, they Her global engagements leader at a time. 

BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

aptain Salvatore Sandra and his two sons, interacted with staff they of young South Africans acknowledged when he Today, Captain Sarno
Sarno, Chairman into a small office where trusted. have been trained to work was awarded an Italian looks towards the future of
Cof Mediterranean each team member took on In 1992, Captain Sarno on MSC’s passenger ships, Republic Knighthood by South Africa’s ports with
Shipping Company (MSC) multiple roles, with spouses co-founded the Container contributing to employment President Carlo Azeglio optimism. He believes
began his journey in the contributing as well. MSC’s Lines Operator Forum and skill-building within Ciampi in 2005. Four the nation has the right
Italian Navy in 1965. reputation grew, and soon, (CLOF) with the late Dave the country. years later, in 2009, he was leaders to drive change
However, he found the the company relocated Rennies, forming a network appointed as an Official and restore the country’s
rigid structure stifling to Geneva to enhance its of top shipping executives Captain Sarno’s many of the Knighthood Order infrastructure, pointing
and left after two years professional image. who advised Transnet’s industry and social by President Giorgio to recent progress as a sign
to join the merchant A major milestone for MSC leaders on optimising port contributions were Napolitano. of hope. 
navy, where he worked came when BMW South and container terminal
on tankers as a cadet. Africa awarded them a operations. Six years later,
His career took a significant contract, provided they in 1998, he was appointed
turn when he met Gianluigi could offer weekly service president of the South
Aponte, who, alongside his between Europe and South African Branch of the
wife Rafaela, had recently Africa. Captain Sarno, aged Institute of Chartered
founded MSC. Aponte 40, took on the challenge, Shipbrokers.
offered Captain Sarno a relocating to South Captain Sarno’s success
position aboard a 4,000- Africa with a two-year led him to unexpected
tonne vessel, one of MSC’s commitment to establish meetings, including an
first ships, and together MSC’s presence. Those two encounter with President
they set out to establish years transformed into a Nelson Mandela. Inspired
MSC’s inaugural shipping much longer tenure, as he by Mandela’s vision for
line around Africa. built MSC South Africa South Africa, Captain
into the country’s largest
At the age of 30, shipping organisation with Sarno collaborated with the
Captain Sarno left the the help of Sandra, who South African Navy in 1999
to establish Izivunguvungu,
sea to join Aponte in managed sixteen container the MSC Foundation,
Brussels, assisting in the depots, and his son Rosario, a youth initiative in
management of MSC’s who eventually became Simon’s Town to support
growing fleet, which then the managing director, disadvantaged South
comprised only five ships. overseeing more than 2,000 Africans.
Together, they dreamed of employees. Captain Sarno
making MSC the world’s insisted on maintaining In 2018, together with his
largest shipping company. a personal touch in client son Rosario, Captain Sarno
Captain Sarno moved relations, avoiding call founded the Shosholoza Oscar Siziba, Head of Coverage: Business Banking at Standard Bank SA; Captain Salvatore Sarno,
with his family, his wife centres to ensure customers Academy, where thousands Chairperson, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC); and Grant Adlam, CEO KZN Top Business.

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