Inspiring The Next Generation Of Women Leaders

“A WOMAN IS A FULL CIRCLE. WITHIN HER IS THE POWER TO CREATE, NURTURE AND TRANSFORM.”

MEET COCA-COLA BEVERAGES SOUTH AFRICA PACS DIRECTOR, NOZICELO NGCOBO

Every day when I wake up, I am motivated to ensure that, in whatever I do, I always do the right thing,” says Nozicelo Ngcobo, the Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability (PACS) Director at Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA). Her responsibility is to protect CCBSA’s social licence to operate. In this role she ensures that they’re doing business the right way, nurturing growth, building their corporate brand advocacy and creating shared value through their social initiatives.

The Journey To CCBSA

Before joining CCBSA as the Director for PACS in 2020, Nozicelo had spent more than 25 years in both the public and private sectors, managing corporate affairs and regulatory strategies in the alcohol, tobacco and beverages industries. After completing her undergraduate degree in strategic marketing, her career began in 1994 when she was recruited into Sasol’s Management Trainee Programme as one of the country’s top graduates from the class of 1993.

“This was critical in our country as it was the dawn of democracy,” Nozicelo tells Standard Bank Top Women Leaders. She went onto work for industry giants such as South African Breweries and Telkom SA, as well as multinationals like Philip Morris International (PMI), where she was responsible for “unlocking stakeholder value and creating shared value to mitigate regulatory and societal risk.”

“Embarking on a self-mastery journey has been a huge eye opener for me as a young female navigating the corporate space,” says Nozicelo.

She describes her leadership style as a hands-off approach, offering support where needed.

“I believe in setting a very clear strategic direction, providing the resources and then leaving the team to deliver on the results. I do remain close enough to support and remove any barriers the team may have, but far away enough for them to have autonomy to perform their duties.”

This speaks to how she’s able to manage people, and she acknowledges that this is one of the greatest challenges, highlighting a few keys to getting people management right:

“Human beings are not robots, they are diverse, complex, interesting and unpredictable. Successfully managing all the challenges that arise from humanity is one of the most important skills one needs as a leader.

Authenticity, humility, the art of listening, having courage to make difficult but right choices, and a healthy dose of empathy — are just some of the skills needed to successfully navigate the challenges. I have learned so much from this side of leadership.”

She says that delivering on results and motivating her team, in order possible without good relationships and partnerships. This extends to “customers, stakeholders, and the rest of the business. Relationships and partnerships are the foundation of everything we do.”

NOZICELO’S 5 TIPS FOR ASPIRING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

1. Failure is a critical aspect of success.

2. You cannot please everyone, and that is ok. The only thing that is important is when the right people know the truth.

3. Healthy networks, partnerships and relationships are important.

4. Be kind to yourself.

5. Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.

GENDER EMPOWERMENT AT CCBSA

“I have a strong passion for youth and women empowerment hence I was attracted to CCBSA; gender empowerment is one of our sustainability pillars,” explains Nozicelo. She says that the organisation's leadership is reflective of our broader society, which contributes to a culture of inclusion.

“This ultimately enables visionary, transformative practices and allows our colleagues to support the long-term sustainability of our company and business, as well as the broader society in which we operate,” she says.

An example of how the organisation is promoting diversity and inclusion is their women-led network, the Women@ CCBSA programme, which provides leaders. The initiative offers coaching, mentoring and skills development programmes, ensuring fair representation and support within the organisation.

“Since its inception in 2018, Women@ CCBSA has created the space for women to engage, coach and mentor each other and ensure they reach their full potential.

“The network has grown and provided a platform for experienced and successful female leaders to mentor, coach and inspire the next generation of women professionals, something we are incredibly proud of and can organisation,” says Nozicelo.

CCBSA also extends this support outside the organisation through a bursary fund final-year engineering students at the University of Pretoria, as well as an e-learning system for underperforming schools and those in remote areas.

" By investing in women's education and economic and empowerment, we have created shared value in hopes of a better shared future - enabling improved livelihoods for women, their families, and their communities, while inclusively expanding our business,” explains Nozicelo.

“A woman is a full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform. Consequently, you must never apologise for being a powerful and authentic woman. The world needs such women. Women are powerful not because they are not scared, but because they continue so strongly despite the fear. Life is not often easy for any of us but, so what? We must have courage, bravery, perseverance, and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe we are gifted for something, and that something must be attained,” she concludes.