Page 27 - KZN Top Business Women 2024

KwaZulu-Natal was where my heart lay.

I needed to come home, not only to be nurtured by my family

but to establish a brand that would resonate with my roots.

beyond. “I lived in Johannesburg, working as chief legal great team of women,” Pria says. The group’s recognition
Founder and Group Executive Chairperson,
counsel for a major organisation. But after a traumatic as trailblazers, including winning the Platts Global Energy
Women of Africa
incident where my home was broken into and my nanny Women of the Year award and the Bharat Gaurav Award
murdered, I reached rock bottom,” she shares. “I realised for Women CEOs making a difference, are testaments
ria Hassan is the founder and group executive
chairperson of Women of Africa. She sits as an then that despite the adrenaline rush of Johannesburg, to their efforts. “I’m proud of how we’ve accelerated in
P advocate on various Johannesburg Stock Exchange KwaZulu-Natal was where my heart lay. I needed to our business and fostered good governance practices,
come home, not only to be nurtured by my family but transparency, and a culture of mentorship for other
listed entities and on numerous boards. Founded in 2003,
Women of Africa spans sectors such as energy, logistics, to establish a brand that would resonate with my roots.” women entrepreneurs,” she remarks.
automotive, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, This realisation led to the birth of Women of Africa, Change the Mindset
and construction. which began as an investment in logistics and energy
and later expanded into multiple sectors. Community involvement is another pillar of Pria’s ethos.
Pria hails from Overport in KwaZulu-Natal and grew up “We’re engaged in various projects, especially in sports
in a household where her father, an entrepreneur, and Her mother played a crucial role in motivating her during like soccer, netball, and volleyball, supporting children
her mother, a traditional woman with strong values tough times. “When you hit rock bottom, no one can pick who lack the resources to showcase their talents,”
and discipline, set the stage for her ambitions. She you up like your mother. She gives you that push that really she says. “Our focus extends to teaching women not
recalls, “My upbringing was influenced by living with my shakes you and makes you get your act together,” Pria says. just to seek funding but to uplift their communities.
grandmother and uncle in Reservoir Hills, which I believe Her inspirations extend to international figures, particularly As part of the Midlands Entrepreneurship School, we
is where I developed my militant behaviour. I’m a tough Indra Nooyi. “I admire Indra because she’s pragmatic, aimed to change the mindset of young people towards
leader, and my schooling at Howard College Law School, empathetic, and brings heart into business. She resonates
followed by further education at the University of Pretoria, with me, and she’s taught me to be a confident leader who entrepreneurship. Changing the economic landscape of
played a role in shaping that.” uses influence to impact the lives of others,” she adds. KwaZulu-Natal is a priority for me,” she adds.

Over time, Pria’s aspirations have evolved. “I began with Under Pria’s leadership, the Women of Africa group has Reflecting on South Africa’s challenges, including natural
dreams of becoming a high-powered lawyer, then shifted evolved but has remained true to its core values. “We’ve disasters, she urges others to invest in personal well-being
towards wanting to be a Bollywood or Hollywood actress,” changed in terms of the sectors we operate in, but I’ve stuck and education. “I’m in my 50s, but I’m not ready to retire.
she admits with a chuckle. “However, my path led me to to the principle of adding intrinsic value,” she explains. “I Instead, I’ve launched a foundation dedicated to supporting
focus on transforming business and revolutionising sectors, don’t just look at the chaos in the market; I focus on how communities affected by disasters, as well as advocating for
particularly in energy. It wasn’t just about profitability; it was I can add value in my sphere, with a long-term vision that gender-based violence awareness,” she shares.
about breaking down barriers and transferring my skillset spans decades rather than just seeking quick returns.” Pria’s philanthropic vision extends to addressing broader
to women eager to enter industries from which we’ve issues. “I want to focus on male empowerment, particularly
been traditionally marginalised.” She is proud of her efforts Navigating the oil and petroleum industry as a woman
has been no easy feat. “The glass ceiling is tough, with concerning mental health and suicide rates, and support
to challenge stereotypes, using her platform to inspire
other women and leave a lasting legacy. “The common alpha male stereotypes that limit entry,” Pria explains. young boys. Creating an ethos of future philanthropy is
belief is that women have arrived, given the special laws “But with the support of male leaders who believed in my goal,” she says. Plans to write an autobiography and
that grant us entry into the market, but the truth is we transformation, I managed to overcome those early embrace her new role as a grandmother are also on the
are still waiting at the door for a seat at the table. I want challenges.” Leadership issues persist, particularly in an horizon.
to teach women to build their own tables,” she asserts. environment as culturally diverse as KwaZulu-Natal. “We Pria’s focus now is on continuous learning and self-
Pria encourages young women to believe in themselves, have a certain ego that influences how we operate, but improvement, with an emphasis on mindfulness and
celebrate their uniqueness, and take risks. “Each failure is I’ve worked to restructure that, welcoming more women self-care. “It took therapy and coaching to give myself
just a new opportunity,” she advises. into executive roles. The resilience of the team has been permission to relax. As a woman in business, there’s no
key,” she says.
Bringing Heart time to pause, but now I meditate for mental clarity,
“Maintaining a healthy balance sheet in the midst of read, and travel. I enjoy simple pleasures like walking and
Pria’s journey has taken her across South Africa and chaos is an achievement I’m proud of, and I owe it to a spending time with my husband,” Pria concludes.

Pria HASSAN | 25