Page 9 - KZN Top Business Women - eBook 2023

It must come from within you. You must believe in yourself.

Obtaining an education qualification together with attending legal school.
Senior Executive: Group Human Resources
My work involved travel and this enriched me and
Manager & Finance - Kingsgate Clothing One of the biggest challenges that Hawa experienced broadened my horizons.”
Group (KCG) along her journey was to be able to pursue an education.
At that time, the highest grade in the family for females However, Hawa said that she was supported by her
awa Asmal commenced work in 1988 with the was grade eight. Hawa said that she had to ‘break the mother and sisters with babysitting. She also has a
very understanding and supportive husband. Hawa
company, which was known as AM Moolla barriers’ and influence her parents.
H (Pty) Limited at the time (now Kingsgate Due to the good results she achieved in school, her commented, ‘You cannot be a successful career woman
Clothing Group). The Group is one of the largest parents recognised her potential and allowed her to if your husband doesn’t support you in your initiatives.”
private, family-owned, and well-renowned clothing continue to grade ten. On completion, she had another
manufacturers and wholesalers that started out in hurdle to overcome and that was to complete matric. Future goals
1955, with its head-office premises based in Durban, Fortunately, as her parents had accepted that she was Commenting on her future goals, Hawa said, “As I have
KwaZulu-Natal. determined in her quest for education, Hawa was able been working for many years, my main goal is to continue
Hawa joined the Group human resources department to complete matric. The bigger challenge was going to to be able to encourage the younger generation to have
with her initial focus on education and training. She university. Although Hawa had the opportunity to study a goal and to achieve their dreams.”
worked her way up to the position of Group human overseas, Johannesburg or Cape Town, as a female, she For Hawa, there is no end to learning. She would like to
resources manager for the company and its associate was unable to study away from home as her parents complete her master’s degree in tax law. Her main aim
companies, a position which she holds to this day. were overprotective. has always been to encourage her children and fellow
Hawa continues to be responsible for the Group’s She commented, “I was very determined to study. I colleagues to educate themselves and importantly to be
education and training and is involved with the various wanted to be independent to be able to fend for myself. I independent. She said, “One should not be complacent
sector education and training authorities. These roles had to pave the way for my younger siblings.” with one’s position. We must not be entrenched in pride
blend with her qualifications in commerce, finance, and selfishness. The true measure of success lies not in
and law. Consequently, being allowed to study at university was personal achievements alone, but in the positive impact
trailblazing, as subsequently most of the female members
Describing herself as a very committed person, in in her family were allowed to study and become very we have on the lives of others. Leave a legacy of kindness
addition to her work at Kingsgate Clothing Group, good professionals. Although Hawa wanted to study and generosity. With success comes humility, integrity,
Hawa also is responsible for the administration of her in the science field she settled on completing a BCom sincerity, commitment, and dedication which have been
own family-owned companies. fundamental to achieving my goals.”
(statistics) degree. She said, “I thought that’s OK. I’ve got
my education and I’m going to be a housewife and raise From the heart
Motivation and inspiration
my children.”
Hawa emphasised, “My dad was a very influential Hawa said that although her father encouraged her to Her advice to younger people is that everything you do
person. Although he did not attend formal school, he complete her articles, she had to face another challenge must come from the heart. “It must come from within
was self-educated, industrious, progressive, ambitious, – finding a suitable position. She wanted to join one of you. You must believe in yourself and that you’re going
and successful.” Being the eldest son, he took care the big five auditing companies, but it was not possible. to make this world a better place.”
of his family of eight brothers and four sisters after “Number one, I was a black female and number two, I was “Most important is our conduct and attitude and
the death of his father. He established a successful pregnant. But fortunately, I managed to get articles with gratitude towards others. We must embrace each other
wholesale and manufacturing business. a small firm of auditors. I pursued further studies and with and celebrate our differences. Whatever success we
Consequently, Hawa’s principles of hard work were dedication and perseverance I progressed to become achieve comes with a responsibility and we have to be
developed through the inspiration she received from the audit manager of this firm, which subsequently accountable in everything we do.”
her late father. “He was very strong in his principles, amalgamated with a larger company.”
well-disciplined and a very good role model. A After her second child was born, Hawa took an eight- In conclusion
lack of a formal education did not deter him from month break and with great enthusiasm joined AM Commenting on the KZN Top Business initiative Hawa
pursuing his goals and dreams and allowing me to Molla Clothing. She commented, “One has to highlight said, “I’m very delighted to be part of this forum. I am
do the same.” the support and opportunities given to me by my hopeful that my input on my life’s journey as a woman
In addition, Hawa’s mother played a pivotal and company to complete my law degree, attaining my in business can encourage and motivate other leaders to
supportive role that provided a strong foundation for her. chartered secretary fellowship and the conveyancing achieve.”

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