Page 15 - KZN Top Business Woman 2025 - eBook

Carla da Silva Caires

Head of Client Relations and Carla’s career is marked by bold choices and a strong positive mindset. I still get up and go to gym every
Business Development at Insite Towers desire to effect real change. Formerly a human resources morning despite what the inside of my body is doing.
director, she initially worked with Insite Towers while It’s crazy what a positive mind can do.”
recruiting for the start-up. “They didn’t want someone
arla da Silva Caires is the head of client already in the industry, and they wanted a woman INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
C relations and business development at because it’s a very male-dominated field,” she recalls. Looking ahead, Carla’s ambitions remain deeply rooted

Insite Towers, a leading national telecom-
in impact. “My goal is to continue expanding the
munications infrastructure developer and owner. In this After reviewing the job description, Carla had a moment
role, she plays a pivotal part in expanding the company’s of clarity. “Everything they were describing sounded network, ensuring more people have access to the
footprint by driving improved connectivity across like something I wanted to be involved in. I got home, digital world. Financial growth is one reason, but I’m
KwaZulu-Natal. thought about it, and came back saying, ‘What would also passionate about encouraging women to enter the
you think about me being in the role?’. The shareholders telecommunications industry. I’ve noticed more and
Carla is a woman deeply driven by purpose. Reflecting more women being employed in the space after me
said they were actually waiting for me to say that.”
on what drew her to the company, she shares, “The and that shows the difference I’ve made.”
biggest thing that really drew me to the job was the Since stepping into the role, Carla has made a significant Her message to young women is clear and empowering:
fact that we focused mainly on underserved areas. The impact over the past six years. She has helped shift “Don’t be scared. Whether it’s telecommunications,
thought of making people that never had access to the perceptions in an industry where women remain construction, or being a pilot, if it’s male-dominated,
digital world able to do online training, education, and underrepresented. “When I walk into a meeting, you so what? We, as women, don’t give each other enough
hopefully become more financially stable – that’s quite can see people’s eyes go, ‘Oh my gosh, a woman.’ But grace for what we’re capable of.”
an achievement.” it’s becoming the norm, and it’s empowering to see so
many more women being employed in the industry.” She continues, “My biggest advice to young women
Her passion lies in connecting the unconnected, especially is to believe in their ability to succeed at anything
in rural and mountainous regions. “We really do focus on OVERCOMING HURDLES AND DRIVING they set their minds to. The opportunities are there;
the rural areas, and that’s really my main focus,” she says. PROGRESS
you have so much to offer the world. I love sharing
“Going out into the mountains and seeing people who
Carla’s work comes with its share of challenges – my story to show that success is not just a possibility,
don’t even know about smartphones now being able to particularly around the complex site permitting it’s a reality. We need to nurture our young ambitious
connect with each other – that’s powerful.” process. “Permitting for sites can take over a year to get and confident young ladies to stand together and
approval,” she explains. “I’ve managed to identify and become future leaders in our country. There are no
Carla counts among her proudest achievements the role
she has played in enabling online education and digital unblock the bottlenecks in each region, but it’s certainly limits to what us women can do together. I believe
access for communities that were previously excluded. been a challenge.” in empowering women to not be scared to take on
roles in male-dominated spaces; we are stronger than
“I love that I’ve been a key part in bridging the digital Despite the difficulties, her efforts have delivered
divide in rural communities,” she reflects. “It’s a privilege measurable results. “Over the years we’ve streamlined we think.”
to help people stay in touch with distant family or access the process massively; we’ve reduced delays by 20% BALANCING PURPOSE AND PARENTHOOD
opportunities they never thought possible.” over the last two years, which is quite an achievement.”
Despite the demands of her career, Carla takes
A BROADER VISION FOR COMMUNITY UPLIFTMENT On a personal front, Carla has faced immense adversity immense pride in her role as a mother. “I’m a single
with unwavering strength. “I was diagnosed with chronic mum to a little tennis superstar, Carter, he’s 12,” she
Insite Towers’ impact extends far beyond infrastructure. kidney disease in December 2024. This year I’m up for says with a smile. “A huge achievement for me is being
Carla is passionate about the company’s commitment a transplant, that’s been a challenge I’m overcoming able to balance being a mum, running a company, and
to community development. “If we’re building a site
daily. But I see being here and continuing to work as travelling. It’s challenging, but it’s so rewarding.”
in a region, we try and make sure we’re involving the
an achievement.”
community in the build process, the security side And what does the future hold? “To be healthy, be a
of it, and doing things like putting JoJo tanks into She continues to show remarkable resilience. “This has good mum, and have the energy to do what I love. I

schools – just giving back to the communities that been a huge thing for me to process, but as the weeks travel a lot for work, and I want to keep doing what I do;
are underserved.” have gone by, I’ve managed to get through it with a at my best.”

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