#AWPOWERFIFTY : Lerato Sithole

What motivated you to become an entrepreneur OR take your career in the direction you did? Is having your own business OR this role you are in something you always wanted?

Thinking about the start of my career, I didn't even know I was starting a career. I just wanted a job that would help me partner with my husband to build a home for ourselves and the family we were planning. The motive was survival so anything that provided a paycheck was good enough to make me happy. Having had matric up until then I then decided to study towards a degree and even that was to get myself equipped to be proficient at this "job", nothing that linked to any of my "when I grow up" dreams. Somehow I started to fall in love with this "job" which was in the Supply Chain Management space and although I had registered to study BCom Accounting I then changed it to BCom Supply Chain. It was when I started understanding the value that the job transformed into a career and in fact because there was so much value towards the Black Economic Empowerment through programs like Black Economic Empowerment this was now a calling. Something that really resonated with who I am and the role I want to play as a Black African Woman and that I am an ambassador and a catalyst for change and growth. South Africa,

Which woman has positively impacted you in your career/business? And what is the one lesson she taught you?

I must admit that for the better part of my career I have actually been impacted and advocated for by men and that is not because women were not supportive but because there are just not enough women at the top with the type of power authority and influence, this is simply a result of our history. You might want to say that I come as the "first batch" of women empowerment in business and corporate. I have three women who really impacted me positively. Mpho Nkeli was my Executive Director at Alexander Forbes and she taught the principle of "going the extra mile". Pearl Maphoshe was my General Manager at Umgeni Water and she taught leadership with love and empathy to Wendy Luhabe, my Procurement Committee Chairperson at IDC and from her I learnt excellence with class.

How do you define success?

Success for me is a combination of achievement and fulfillment. I have tasted success which is rich in achievement and I tell you that is not enjoyable at all, it gives no peace or time to celebrate, and it creates management instead of leadership. The fulfillment part is more qualitative than quantitative and it is holistic, going beyond the call of duty embracing family, and community, and giving back.

One insight for anyone interested in the industry you are working in?

The best starting point in our industry is to take on a calling that will bring commercial benefits rather than a job that will give you a paycheck. The professional industry is driven by sales and revenue does not work if it is a job but it fulfilling as a form of worship

What is your one key guiding principle in your work life?

My guiding principle is my purpose in life and I define that as making and building Great People. It is my compass of the choice of roles that I play, the choice of organizations, I serve the choice of friends and company that I keep.

What do you believe is the most impactful and immediate action your industry can take to Accelerate Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment. (this is the theme for INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY in 2024)

What is sad is that in our industry there is still very unsubtle behavior which still discriminates against women who want to take time to start their families going through the process of falling pregnant, taking maternity leave, and creating conditions that allow the mother to raise her child. What is on paper is very different from the conditions put forward for promotion and recognition. There is a belief that in our industry if and when you want to start a family you need to leave for a different and more tolerant industry.

The three books that changed your life