Page 49 - KZN Top Business Women 2019 eBook

When you look at business through a sustainability lens,

your thought processes, decisions and actions change.

a business, a church organisation, or even your because they look different or speak a different
Group Company Secretary, personal life. language.”
at Grindrod Limited
“You need to consider how you are positioned in the Asked whether she believes women need to act
s group company secretary at Grindrod bigger scheme of things,” she points out. “How do differently to men to succeed in business, she points
Limited, Cathie heads up governance, you impact on your community, your social environ- out that we are inherently different, and need to be
Awhich she explains as helping make sure ment and certainly your natural environment?” true to ourselves. “Don’t try to be something you’re
the company does what it’s supposed to do, and “When you look at business through a sustainability not. But nothing is impossible just because you’re a
jokes that her job is to try and save the world. lens, your thought processes, decisions and actions woman. Yes, sometimes physical strength can be a

After completing her legal degree, Cathie lectured change.” Using the example of buying a business, limitation, but use the strengths you have.
in law which she loved, but after five years Cathie argues that instead of considering the I’m encouraged to see the rise of women in
she decided there had to be something more financial ratios, businesses should consider the value traditionally male roles. And here at Grindrod we
out there. She went into private practice, and creation in a wider context. “We have a significant actively encourage women to follow the path they
started her articles. “The timing wasn’t great,” she unemployment problem in South Africa, and should want, and we do have women boiler makers and
remembers, “my daughter was only two months be considering whether buying that new business truck drivers.”
old.” Nevertheless, she completed her articles and has the potential for real social impact, like job Build resilience
qualified as an attorney and conveyancer, going on creation or opportunities for upskilling staff.“
to start her own firm. For Cathie, it’s not just about your employees or Cathie is very grateful for what she’s achieved so far.
“But I know we are all the sum total of the graces of
Undaunted by change, Cathie’s next move was into business partners; she strongly advocates considering other people. I’ve had a charmed life, with a happy,
the corporate world, working as head of legal services the impact of decisions on wider communities. “As secure childhood, wonderful parents and very few
at a steel company before moving to Durban to join corporate citizens, we need to acknowledge that concerns, but I do warn my children that life is tough.
Grindrod. “I have a wonderful job,” she says. “It’s a no man is an island, and everything in life is about We need to build their resilience so they can cope
great company and I get to influence the agenda relationships. We need healthy relationships to when they have to face life’s challenges.”
and make sure things work. And I meet wonderful prosper. And this extends to the natural environment And while grateful, she’s certainly not satisfied.
people every day.” too. We have a responsibility, not just to limit negative
impact, but to go further and create a positive impact. “We’re messing up the environment at such a scale
“Yes, I do sometimes take minutes,” she smiles, And there are companies getting this right. that I suffer from climate change angst. (It’s a real
“but it’s so much more than that.” It’s Cathie’s job thing!) It’s messing up people’s lives, with a huge
to make sure that the board meets their legal and Our planet has finite resources, so we can’t just create impact on agriculture and health, and I aim to make
regulatory obligations, but she also has wide-ranging a production and consumption economy, we have a real contribution.
responsibilities. In effect, she is part of the company’s to use what we have with better impact. Growth in But despite my climate change angst, I’m a positive
conscience when it comes to ensuring corporate value is not just financial, value needs to be relative happy person, and I have a good work-life balance.
integrity matters more than short-term profits. to society, people and the environment too.” I love my job and I love to work. But I love to spend

Looking at business holistically Cathie says she’s inspired by many people, but time with family and friends, play with my dogs, and
highlights Angela Merkel as “uber-cool”. “She’s swim in the sea too. Or just waste time on the couch.”
“I’ve always had an understanding that we need to shown remarkable leadership, faced difficult
do better; both as individuals and organisations,” challenges, and dealt with difficult people, calmly Try your best
she says. “I love my corporate governance role, but and tenaciously. She’s been instrumental in If Cathie could give her younger self advice it
sustainability is my greatest motivation.” fundamental shifts in the way people think and would be this: “Don’t take yourself too seriously
Explaining that while traditionally we have always understand the value of caring for people. She and keep your sense of humour. Relax. If things
evaluated business in financial terms, we need believes that everyone is entitled to a piece of the aren’t perfect don’t lose sleep; just try your best
to look at any organisation holistically, whether sun; that you don’t discriminate against people just and if you fail, try again.”

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