Page 49 - Standard Bank KZN Top Business Women 2021

I have found that determination and a strong mindset

can get you anywhere you want to go.

of diesel fuel. KZN Oils, the ‘mothership’ of the group, people, comes the empowerment of communities and the
CEO RR Group
was established in 2001 and had her twentieth birthday socio-economic growth of South Africa.
this year. From her, all the other companies were born,”
sayvanie (also known as Esay) Reddy is an In particular, Esay is passionate about empowering
explains Esay.
accomplished business woman with over 30 women and the RR Group has an 80% taskforce of
years of experience in the petroleum, quick Life challenges women in its companies. She says that one of the most
Eservice restaurant, healthcare manufacturing, important things about being a female in business is
Esay is the mother to three children (Kerushin, Venisha
telecommunications, and distribution industry. The ensuring that you are happy. The RR Group focuses
and Kreeshan) with Venisha gifting three beautiful
group comprises KZN Oils and KZN Oils Transport, on ensuring their employees’ wellbeing is taken care
granddaughters. Being a mom, a wife and working
JD Telecoms, Ko-Lay Home of Chicken, Champion of through a strong human resources department with
within the business has always been a challenge for
Health Care and KVK Property Development. initiatives such as flexible working hours for mothers.
Esay. Her method of balancing her life was to separate
As an astute business leader with a wealth of experience, the different aspects. “Once I was at work, it was just In addition, Esay is involved in a number of community
Esay oversees sound strategic manifestation and about work and while I was on my way home, I thought projects including supplying sanitary pads to youngsters
delegation across all business functions, ensures about what I had to cook and what the kids needed. in rural areas. Another passion is to get connectivity to
profitability and is the chief custodian of the Group’s It also was planning. I found separating, organising, all the schools in the rural areas, which is an ongoing
image from the marketing point of view. and having people to assist, helped me along the way programme. “We believe that education with information
to balance raising kids that are adults now, along with technology will connect children to the rest of the world
The ‘mothership’ of the Group
running a business that has become very successful, and so that they will not just sit where they are right now.”
Easy and Rajen Reddy, her late husband, began their maintain a marriage for 37 years.”
She added, “I believe that the group of companies
business journey in 1990 with a Shell Service Station
Esay reflected that her greatest life challenge has been needs to work hard in order to uplift communities. I
located in Briardene. Commenting on their many
losing her husband earlier this year. Rajen, she says, has don’t believe in giving grocery parcels because you can
business successes Esay explains, “We got to where we
left large footsteps for her to follow. However, she has a only do so for a limited amount of time.” In response to
are today through lots of hard work and sacrifice. Both
good knowledge of all the plans, the blueprint, and what the recent looting, the RR Group is currently working
of us had the same goals, which was a better life for our
he had in mind for the group of companies. Even though on converting containers for informal traders to be used
three children. I started working with Rajen when my
it has been a challenge for her to step up to the role of in communities where shops and informal shops have
youngest child was one year old; I had to leave him with
Group Director and Group CEO, she has taken it on been destroyed.
the helper to start cashing up and look after the finances
with honour.
in the service station. We worked basically 24/7 in the Determination and a strong mindset
early days and had to forego holidays.” “We have over 200 staff that rely on us and after Rajen
In conclusion Esay said, “I have found that determin-
passed, the most important thing was to continue with
Due to the huge amount of time required, Rajen decided ation and a strong mindset can get you anywhere you
his legacy and honour his memory. I know that is what
to sell the service station and move into the stationery want to go. As women, we are very special, we have so
kept my three children and myself going. With him not
business. This opportunity came about when 23 black many challenges from the time we are born until we pass
here now we have no choice but to step up to the plate
economic empowerment companies were started at the on and yet we accomplish them with grace, stamina and
and do exactly what he has done. It’s the least that we can
Port of Durban. The venture was very challenging as most importantly with love. Should we continue in that
do to say thank you for all the work that he has done all
Esay and Rajen knew nothing about stationery. However, vein, we will always succeed in whatever we choose to do.”
these years.”
from that initiative an opportunity to supply fuel and
“My advice to all women, always believe and trust in your
lubrication to the port emerged. A people-first-focus
capabilities and your worth because as women we can
“Despite a lot of challenges, we got our first order and that Throughout Esay’s years of experience, she always main- accomplish anything and everything we set out to do. I
is how KZN Oils was born with the story of four barrels tained a people-first-focus, for with the empowerment of am a walking example of that.”
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