Page 3 - KZN Business Sense 11.1

GRACE, DISCIPLINE, AND

PERSEVERANCE

rom the bread slicer Empowering Women
to the boardroom, my As a woman leading an
“F life stands as living engineering company, Rachael is
proof that when grace meets acutely aware of the challenges
perseverance, purpose is born.” that come with working in a

Rachael Gillespie is the traditionally male-dominated
major shareholder of Rotacon environment. “When you interact
Engineering, a proudly South with men in this industry, they
African mechanical engineering sometimes tend to look down
business specialising in on you, as if you do not know
fabrication and machining. what you are talking about,” she
admitted. “But I have always
Born in Durban and raised in remained professional and just
Chatsworth, Rachel’s journey been myself. The results speak
didn’t begin in the boardroom. for themselves. It has proven that
After matriculating in 1994, she women can succeed in a male-
faced a series of closed doors dominated industry.”
including missing a teaching Under her leadership, Rotacon
college acceptance by a single has made a deliberate effort to
point, a police service opportunity employ women in key roles. “I
lost to a missing document, want women to know that they
and university studies halted by can succeed in this industry,”
financial constraints. Rachael emphasised. “My success
in the business has proven that,
Determined to work, Rachael and I hope it inspires others. I
started as a general labourer love empowering people, and that
packing shelves at a local has been one of the most fulfilling
supermarket, and was eventually parts of my journey.”
promoted to bread slicer. She
commented, “What seemed like Her advice to young women is
failure at the time was, in truth simple but powerful. “Believe in
redirection, as one day my mother yourself,” she urged. “Do not let
stepped into the supermarket the world define who you are.
and saw me slicing bread. She Especially now, in the age we are
went home crying as she felt that living in with technology, women
I could do better, so she spoke to often feel they have to live up to a
certain standard. My advice is just
my father.”
to be yourself. Believe in yourself
At the time Rachael’s father was and know that you can do
working for Rotacon Engineering, anything you put your mind to.”
which was founded in 1979 by Looking ahead, Rachael has clear
her husband, Dennis Gillespie. goals for both her company and
Reflecting on her journey, Rachael Gillespie, Director at Rotacon Engineering her personal mission. “The aim is
Rachael explained, “In 1996, a for the business to diversify and to
door opened at Rotacon. My twin church, and my church family keep growing,” she said. “Through
sister, Leah, vacated her role as from working for 29 years in the passionate about mentoring and has been a huge encouragement, the business being financially
upliftment. Through the success
business, learning the trade, and
receptionist of Rotacon to take of the business, we are able to especially my Pastor Ralph successful, we are able to uplift
a role at a sister company, just to having a strong team around me,” enrich the lives of others, and Ellaya who continues to give me people who are less fortunate. That
she explained.
make room for me to take her that is one of my dreams that has Godly wisdom and guidance.” is my dream, to use the company
position as receptionist.” Rotacon Engineering has been fulfilled.” as a platform to empower people.”
grown into a trusted name This love for people
From Receptionist to in fabrication and precision When speaking of her extends beyond her family For Rachael, the heart of any
Shareholder machining, servicing industries inspiration, Rachael’s gratitude and congregation into the organisation lies in its people.
What began as an across Africa with the capacity to shines through. “I cannot say it professional world. “Because I “I believe that people are the
love people, I have built close
biggest asset in any business,”
administrative role soon grew into handle components up to 16 tons. is one person, because there are relationships with our customers she said firmly. “Without your
a lifelong calling. Starting without “Our computer numerical control so many people around me who and suppliers,” she explained. employees, the business would
computer literacy, Rachael (CNC) machinery capacity is what have inspired me,” she reflected. “Through that trust, we receive a not be where it is today.”
“My husband has given me the
relied on discipline and grace. has really put us out there, so we opportunity to take the business lot of support, and that has really
“I immersed myself in every are able to supply any industry in to the next level for the future. helped the business.” Finding Balance
aspect of the business – from Africa and beyond.” My family has also played a big Despite her busy schedule,
administration to purchasing, Rachael credits her achievements part. My parents sacrificed a Rotacon’s growth has been Rachael makes time for the things
customer relations to technical to ‘hard work, dedication, and lot in their lives to give us an complemented by Rachael’s that keep her grounded. “I love
operations. By 2002, I had become the blessings of God’. She shared education. My father has passed leadership and the company’s the outdoors,” she said with a
a 17% shareholder. Today, I am sincerely. “We are nothing away, but my mother is still strong commitment to smile. “I am a drone enthusiast,
proud to serve as the managing without Him, so all glory belongs living and she has been a pillar transformation. “Since so I fly my drone in my spare
director and majority shareholder to Him.” of strength.” becoming the majority time. I spend a lot of time with
with 87% ownership. Her siblings and extended shareholder, we have achieved family and friends, and I am very
level one BBBEE status,
Her rise through the company The Power of People family continue to motivate which has helped the business involved in my church. I try not to
was not fuelled by formal For Rachael, family has always her. “They have always believed tremendously,” she said. “We take the business home, especially
engineering qualifications but by been at the centre of everything. in me,” she said. “Sometimes do work for government, and because my husband is also in the
determination and an unyielding “My biggest dream has always you think you cannot do the with the current policies, that business. We leave work at work
commitment to excellence. “I do been to make a difference in things you want to do, but they compliance is essential. Being and home is home.” 
not hold a degree in engineering, someone’s life,” she said. “I love have encouraged me along the a woman has also been an
so what I know today has come people, and I have always been way. I am very involved in my advantage in that space.” W: www.rotacon-engineering.com

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