Page 53 - KZN Top Business Women - eBook 2023
P. 53

Change starts with me owning up to my purpose and working towards


                              influencing decisions that promote people empowerment.





                                                          She also supports school pupils with stationery, uniform,
          Industrial Engineering Manager                                                                   Personal achievements
                                                          fees, and toiletries.
          Conlog SA                                                                                        One of Malebo’s personal achievements, was to start
                                                          Point of reference                               building her helper a house and this she says has been
                  alebo Mohale is currently employed at Conlog                                             one of the most challenging yet fulfilling projects to start.
                  SA, as an industrial engineering manager. Her   Malebo says that she learnt her passion for people   The project began in August 2023 and will be completed
         M leadership responsibility is aimed at improving   development from her late mom, who was her role   by 2024.
          business and process excellence.                model and point of reference. She explained, ‘I looked up
                                                          to my mum a lot. She was an entrepreneur, and I learned   “I believe that my journey as an individual resonates with
          Malebo grew up in Limpopo and first studied at Nelson   a lot from her.”                         many young African women or girls. When I won the KZN
          Mandela University.  She joined a graduate  programme                                            Gender Mainstreaming Awards in July 2023, I became more
          straight after completing her degree to work at Toyota   in order to process her experience of losing her mother,   aware of the unexplored wealth of opportunities in that I
          in Durban. “I’ve been here since 2010, so I’m officially a   Malebo is writing a book on grief, called Grief Unfiltered.   could share my experience with other women and inspire
          ‘KZNarain’,” Malebo says with a laugh.          She explained, “It’s grief, unfiltered. It’s basically my   them to follow their dreams.” Malebo was also recognised as
                                                          experience about the loss of my mother. I developed a   a Top 6 Finalist - Positive Role Model Southern Africa and as
          Malebo currently holds a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering   lot of confidence from watching her do things, she was
          (DUT), Specialist Project Management (DUT), and Lean Six   a community leader. She also was an employer and also   a Young Positive Role Model at the Gender Mainstreaming
          Sigma Black Belt (2KO International).                                                            Awards Africa region on 5 October 2023.
                                                          helped a lot of women to start up their own business.”
          “Specialising in Lean Six Sigma principles, cost reduction,   Her mother’s leadership approach still resonates with   To young women, Malebo would say, “If you have
          people development, change management amongst   Malebo and through the engagements she had with her,   confidence, you are able to face anything, it does not
          many other strategical objectives, I have found my   she always desired to grow the vision and that is how   matter if you make mistakes along the way. You have to
          passion for people empowerment and business growth,”   Lebhenny Focal Point NPC was established.  believe in yourself and find that thing that ticks for you
          says Malebo.                                                                                     and work on that. Because when you do something that
                                                          Lebhenny Focal Point helps people to track, very closely,   you are passionate about, you will excel. You will succeed
          She is now studying towards a Master of International   their interests, passions, and abilities. The objective is   because it drives you from your inner self.”
          Management, specialising in Big Data with IU Studies   to assist women, the youth, and any person that comes
          through a German Scholarship, and looking forward to   through their organisational path to focus on identifying   To relax, Malebo enjoys running and exercising. She adds,
                                                                                                           “I enjoy going to the beach, water helps me recoup. I love
          completing  her  Lean Six Sigma  Master  Black  Belt  with   that critical point in life where purpose becomes clear   the sound of waves and stepping on the sand.”
          Novel Idea.                                     and alignment with self takes place.
          “It’s all about data and solving problems. The problems can   “We believe that when people are aligned to their   Influencing decisions
          have a personal or business perspective or be economic   purpose, they become more effective, happier and are
          issues that we have to deal with. I think a combination of my   less discouraged by the incidents of life,” said Malebo.   Malebo says that she is thrilled to be part of the KZN Top
                                                                                                           Business Women 2023 nominees. “The opportunity and
          studies helps in understanding the broader perspective of                                        exposure have been remarkable as it has inspired me,
          what we need to address as a country,” explained Malebo.  “The reality is that people become easily overwhelmed
                                                          by challenges of life, and we offer support to help   challenged me, and more so boosted my confidence
          Her  over  13  years  of  professional  experience  have  been   alleviate stress, anxiety and depression through   in ensuring that I keep going. I am grateful for the
          acquired while working at AIDC, Toyota SA and Beier Group,   meaningful programmes that are relaxing, educational   opportunity and for the experience. It makes a difference,
          where she has grown her skills and corporate experience.  and empowering,” she further explained.  not only to me but to every community member who
                                                                                                           will one day have a conversation with me as I believe that
          “In my spare time, I focus my energy in developing young   Malebo has encountered some challenges in establishing
          women, unemployed youth, divorced women, women   Lebhenny Focal Point NPC and she says that as a startup,   change happens when ideas are exchanged.”
          undergoing challenges amongst other volunteering   having capital to run their day-to-day business and staying   In closing, says Malebo, “Change starts with me owning
          roles I have taken in various projects. Through these   afloat in terms of making profits is difficult. “Sometimes   up to my purpose, working towards influencing decisions
          engagements I learnt to share knowledge, coach, and   you make a loss, and you just keep on going.  These are   that promote people empowerment, especially women
          mentor different groups to help people deal with their   challenges that I can say really shook me. Keeping the   and through fostering a culture of financial and economic
          challenges and unleash their potential,” said Malebo.   business to stay focused requires perseverance.”   stability within our communities.”



                                                                             - 51 -
   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   58