Page 67 - KZN Top Business Woman 2025 - eBook

Noeline Rajbally

Director and Co-founder of African Sugar come without struggle,” she reflects. “I think that my medical team. Support is so important from your family
Logistics faith in God and belief in myself changed a lot of and the people around you and I feel that without
narratives.” She has always dreamed of living in a world my faith and that support it would have been a very
that is inclusive and full of opportunity, not only for different experience for me.”
oeline Rajbally is the director and co-founder
N of African Sugar Logistics. She has spent the herself but for future generations. “Although I might Rather than viewing her illness as a setback, Noeline
past 17 years building this successful business not live to see that in this lifetime, I have faith that it’s transformed it into a source of purpose. “It has given me
one step at a time. I do my part in making the world
alongside her husband, while simultaneously uplifting leverage to create a platform where I am an advocate
a better place through the initiatives that I run and
the communities around her. for early detection of cancer. I’ve spoken on many
through the various public platforms that I’m involved
platforms internationally and locally.” Her resilience and
She explained, “When we went into business, it was a in as a public figure.”
positivity continue to inspire many.
leap of faith for Rajesh and I. It was about giving our
Her leadership philosophy is centred on people. “I think
kids a better life and a shot at a brighter future. But that When asked what advice she would give to young
being a people-focused business is what’s important to
soon evolved into why did we take this leap of faith? women, her response is both profound and practical.
us. We lead with integrity and we strive for excellence.”
And that came with the very purposeful intentions of “Like Simon Sinek would say, find your why. It’s your
Investing in her team has always been a top priority in
growing people, a staff first approach, reaching out to guiding compass and that North Star.” She encourages
running a successful business. She added that leading
disadvantaged communities and schools, and doing women to dream boldly. “As a young woman, I recall
by example and teaching people soft skills, such as
greater purposeful work.” myself dreaming the grandest dreams. And it’s okay to
to be empathetic and kind and to reach out to those
dream those dreams because when I look back and if I
As such the Mindfulness Academy is one of Noeline’s around them to make a difference is critical, especially
told people that I dreamed this dream, I think I would
proudest achievements. It is a platform she established in the fast evolving world that we live in.
be laughed at because at that stage it would seem
a few years ago with the goal to ‘elevate, educate
and empower women and children’. It serves as the A SOURCE OF PURPOSE impossible. But young women with dreams become
women with vision. So never stop dreaming.”
corporate social investment arm of African Sugar Her achievements extend beyond the boardroom. In
Logistics. Through this platform, she has helped 2023, she entered Mrs South Africa and was placed Her philosophy on failure is equally inspiring. “Failure
countless individuals find confidence and direction and as the First Princess, a title that brought her into the happens all the time. It is not a full stop. It can be a
has enriched many lives. national spotlight. The following year, she represented pause, but it should be your jet fuel for your comeback.”
the country at the Mrs Globe International competition,
Noeline’s work extends beyond business. She is the THE POWER OF GRATITUDE
where she placed in the Top 20 and walked away with
co-founder of Her Story Circle, a women’s group that
the Motivator of the Year and Mountain Top awards. Yet, Today, Noeline pursues her purpose with humility and
creates space for women to share their journeys and
she insists that her greatest achievement is her family. gratitude. “I want to leave a legacy that is iconic that
inspire one another, as well as creates a space for cross
“I have three lovely kids. I love being a wife and I love is worth every generation that comes after me saying,
generational conversations. The Her Story Circle motto
taking care of my two fur babies. That gives me more ‘I’m proud of that woman’. For her, legacy is not about
is: ‘You will always have a seat at our table’. Recently,
satisfaction when it comes to achievement.” wealth or awards. “It’s about being a kind and trusting
she and her husband launched Unalome, a bespoke
human being who’s been compassionate, especially in
wedding and functions venue on KwaZulu-Natal’s Noeline’s journey, however, has not been without
North Coast. The name Unalome translates to ‘the path hardship. In 2023, she faced one of her most difficult this day and age, where sometimes it is difficult.”
to enlightenment’, a phrase that reflects her approach challenges when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Noeline concludes with advice that defines her
to life and leadership. “It was obviously shock and horror. And there’s never approach to life: “Concentrating on your health, your
a convenient time to hear those words,” she recalls. mindset and your well-being should be on top of your
DETERMINATION AND COURAGE
The diagnosis arrived just two weeks before the Mrs list. I’m such a big advocate for self-development, self-
For Noeline, success has not been an easy road. South Africa finals. “Everything was very overwhelming love and self-care. When that mindset is achieved, it just
“Success can be defined in many ways, but it did not because the spotlight was on me. But I had a great makes life better, more enjoyable and more peaceful.”

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