Nissan - Women in Industry

Mamokhele Sebatane - Nissan South Africa Communication Coordinator and Digital Communications Specialist

Date and place of birth:  4 July 1988, in Bloemfontein, South Africa
Education: As an undergraduate, I obtained a degree in Politics, International Relations and Sociology from Rhodes University. Along the way, I scaled up with a certificate in Social Media Marketing from the University of Cape Town. This year, I have just graduated with an Honours in Strategic Brand Communication from Vega School, South Africa.  
Management style: I believe in a collaborative management style, where employees are free to share their opinions, ideas and goals in a safe and encouraging space. This also fosters an environment of diversity and inclusion, which I believe is an important part of collaborative leadership. I am proud of Nissan for being an organisation that nurtures this.  
Personal best achievement: As a communicator, having the ability to shape audiences’ perceptions of the Nissan brand is an achievement in itself. I am proud to be part of the team that has done extensive work in building strategic relationships between the brand and content creators across the market. Through these relationships, Nissan’s brand exposure has increased, we continue to build positive brand perceptions and mostly, being recognised for the excellent work the organisation does in serving the communities in which it operates. I am particularly proud of the Nissan Qashqai launch campaign, which in collaboration with our communications agency went on to win the SABRE award for Marketing to Consumers (New Product).
Philosophy of life: I believe in affirmations, so every morning I affirm myself by saying these words “You are capable, you are beautiful, and you give yourself grace.” These are my guiding blocks as I navigate life.
Message for other women leaders in the South African business community: Trust in the process, and do not be afraid of your own greatness.

Ayanda Phadziri - Total Quality Management (TQM)/Plant Performance Coordinator

Date and place of birth: 1 November 1995
Education: My pursuit of knowledge and growth has been marked by a series of significant educational achievements. I hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a qualification that equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the business landscape. I further delved into the realm of psychology, leading me to attain a Bachelor’s and an Honours degree in this field.
To further fortify my skills and expertise, I earned an Advanced Certificate in Operations Management, providing me with valuable insights into the intricacies of efficient operations. I also hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration.
Management style: My management style is grounded in the coaching management style, where I prioritise fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment by actively engaging with my team members, sharing and receiving feedback, as we work towards achieving both individual and collective goals.
Personal best achievement: As I continue to grow, I look back at some of the team-building initiatives I have undertaken in the department, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among colleagues. I have also assumed crucial roles in employee outreach and celebration programmes, as I believe that employees function at their optimum when they understand their contribution to the overall business and are celebrated for their hard work.  
Beyond the workplace, my accomplishments extend into my community and personal endeavours. I took the initiative to launch a charity drive that resonated with my community, reflecting my commitment to giving back and making a positive impact.
Person you would most like to meet: Michelle Obama.
Philosophy of life: My philosophy of life is about embracing my identity as a Black woman, acknowledging my beauty, magic, intelligence, resilience, love, innovation, power, influence and unapologetic nature.
Message for other women leaders in the South African business community: “One day, you’ll realise that you were always blossoming, even when you didn’t notice it.” Embrace your growth and potential as leaders.

Evanie Vather - GM: Marketing & Sales Control | Nissan Africa Regional Business Unit

Date and place of birth: 25 January 1979, Pietermaritzburg
Education: Bachelor of Accounting
Management style: I have a passion for developing people and thrive on inspiring high-performance teams. My leadership approach is centred on collaboration, transparency and empathy, whilst continuing to drive quality and high-performance delivery.
Personal best achievement: Being able to take care and give back to my beloved parents and aunt who were instrumental in making me the woman I am today. This is an achievement that is very close to my heart. To see them living their retirement years, embraced by my love and care is one of my most precious achievements to date.
Person you would most like to meet: Michelle Obama. Despite having held the coveted position as the first lady to the US, she has continued to show up in her true self. She believes in “being my sister’s keeper,” which has been very instrumental in how she moves through life. She says, “Friendships between women, as any woman will tell you, are built of a thousand small kindnesses… Swapped back and forth and over again.” I have personally experienced this and am so blessed to have special friends that are there during my highs and lows in life.
Philosophy of life: Always be true to yourself and seize every opportunity to grow and develop yourself.
Message for other women leaders in the South African business community: Don’t wait for opportunities to be placed in front of you, showcase your abilities and what you bring to the table. Your destiny is always in your hands and what you put in will reciprocate into a fulfilling career path.

Nancy Moodley - Nissan Africa's Senior Manager

Place of birth: Pietermaritzburg, a town nestled in KwaZulu-Natal. I spent my early years on a farm in Cliffdale.
Education: I began my academic journey in the medical realm, specialising in clinical technology. I then pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree, a journey that continued into both postgraduate Honours and master’s in commerce) degrees from the University of South Africa. Further, my dedication to honing my expertise in customer experience (CX) led me to attain the ACX credential – Accreditation in CX: Master – granted by the Academy of Customer Experience Professionals, Partners and Affiliates.
Management style: I believe in leading by example and actively contributing to problem-solving. My approach involves guiding, inspiring, mentoring and motivating my team. I hold in high regard the contributions of every individual team member, recognising the value that their diverse backgrounds, passions and skill sets bring to our collective efforts. I understand that our achievements are a direct result of this collaborative synergy.
Personal best achievement: A crowning achievement that stands out is when I took on the challenge of advocating for policy reform within a globally esteemed institution. Determined to effect change, I embarked on a journey of persistent lobbying and engagement. Through unwavering communication and tenacious effort, the tides turned. The experience taught me a crucial lesson: a lone individual championing fairness, ethics and inclusivity can catalyse remarkable transformation.
Person you would most like to meet: Indira Gandhi, a woman that broke down stereo-typical thinking.
Philosophy of life: My philosophy of living is holistic, marked by authenticity and altruism. Recognising that we all share a common pursuit of goals, I believe in navigating this journey with a comprehensive perspective that touches every facet of existence.
Message for other women leaders in the South African business community: It’s essential to be the driving force of genuine change through tangible actions, rather than mere verbal commitments. By exemplifying this principle, we pave the way for substantive transformation and inspire a legacy of impactful leadership.