Page 43 - Standard Bank KZN Top Business Women 2021

Identify a career path that is in-line with who you are,

that ignites passion in you as well as purpose.

Head, Private Clients (Non-Metro) within Consumer & perspective, ensuring that people understand the purpose Portia said that she had to invest in herself aggressively
High Net Worth Clients (CHNW), Msunduzi Area, KZN of what we do, where it’s bigger than just a job working for because she needed to show up confidently and be
the bank, we are touching people’s lives and that must be a knowledgeable in order to prove that she had what it
memorable experience every single day.” takes to fulfil that role. “That experience shaped me to
ortia Mthembu has been in the employ of
be the confident and diverse leader that I am today. It
Standard Bank for the past 17 years. During My best foot forward
also addressed my own stereotypes that I didn’t know
this time Portia has fulfilled various roles
In reflecting on the people that have inspired her journey, existed. I had to unlearn things for me to be relevant in
Pwithin the bank and successfully led big
Portia says that they are the women that have paved the
Standard Bank branches in KwaZulu-Natal and has the community in which I operated in; I’m truly grateful
way for her to be sitting where she is today and be afforded
ensured their financial growth and sustainability. In for that experience.”
2019, Portia was recognised with a ‘Mark of Excellence’ the opportunities to showcase her abilities.
Her future goals are to add more value within the
trip to Brazil, which was a true testament to hard work
Portia is also inspired by the provincial leadership of organisation. Portia believes that she can fulfil other
and persistence. She previously worked as a distribution
Standard Bank in KZN. “The leadership believes in me senior roles where she will make a significant impact.
manager for the Dolphin Coast area and has recently
more than I thought is possible and I truly then strive to One of her goals is to groom more black women in any
been promoted to Head, Private Clients (Non-Metro)
always put my best foot forward in honour of the faith environment that she operates in. She would like to do
within CHNW, Msunduzi Area.
that they have in me.” more work honouring the women she spoke of which is
Portia’s entry into banking started while working for a also her passion. Portia would like to continue to partner
Lastly, she is inspired by Funeka Montjane, the Standard
broker. She was the company representative at a small with her leaders to grow more people, identify more talent,
Bank’s CEO of Consumer High Net Worth clients. “She
business enterprise exhibition and the Standard Bank and enable them to thrive within the bank.
is a phenomenal and dynamic woman who has changed
senior manager alongside her stand, was really impressed
the narrative of banking, which is now more personal.
at her interactions with customers. Portia said, “He offered “I would say to women following in my role; firstly, you
It’s now offering our customers a service more than just
me a job and asked me if I could come for an interview need to identify a career path that is in-line with who
a transaction between a banker and a customer. Funeka
on Monday, so I did, and it’s been a very successful and you are, that ignites passion in you as well as purpose
has also taken other women with her on her journey,
enjoyable past 17 years of my life.” and then you will certainly excel in your work. Secondly,
which is what I’ve been admiring. I can confidently say
to earn a space at the table, you need to believe in
Consistent hard work I’m standing on the shoulders of giants, and I also boldly
yourself, which talks to building confidence in your
press forward to not disappoint.”
Commenting on her professional journey, Portia says that abilities, loving your personality, your perspective, and
she got to where she is today because of hard work. “It’s Changing the narrative experiences, so that you can show up confidently, and
been consistent hard work, commitment to the journey, gain credibility and respect from people around you.
and consistent in how I do my work for myself within the However, there have been many challenges for Portia in Thereafter, the biggest key is consistency, in terms of
organisation as a brand.” her career. A pivotal point was when she was appointed as always putting your best foot forward.”
a manager in a community which had stereotypes about
However, she says that she has been blessed by the support
black women’s abilities. “I had two things in mind; firstly, Aspire to add value
she has received throughout her years in Standard Bank.
I had to honour the bank’s faith placed in me in that
This includes continuous mentoring and coaching that Further to her career, Portia is the proud mother of
environment and secondly; I had to change the narrative
enables Portia to do her work at the best of her ability. “The three beautiful children and has a loving and supportive
of how the community perceived a black woman. What
bank is committed to invest in my ongoing development husband.
was comforting was that I had a very supportive leadership
at a personal and business level,” explains Portia.
around me, and I was constantly coached on how to deal Portia concluded, “I aspire to add value and excel in any
“I have taken a lot of people along with me on my journey. with such complexities and on the bank’s processes of environment with which I have been entrusted. I have
I have identified gaps that needed change, and I have been handling such matters. I was also reminded of my own been blessed to be part of the Standard Bank family; my
advocating change, but more than anything, bring fresh rights as a human being.” blood is blue, and I am proud of it.”

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