Women in Industry - Lesedi Nuclear Services

Nicky Van der Poel

Senior Executive: Outage Services and Managing Director: Lesedi Skills Academy

Nicky van der Poel holds two roles at Lesedi Nuclear Services – Senior Executive: Outage Services and Managing Director of the Lesedi Skills Academy. The former requires her to focus on ensuring a sustainable business division, championing safety, compliance and the development of efficient teams, while the latter has her overseeing Lesedi’s artisan training programme. Her background is in finance and administration, supported by an education journey with a Diploma in Financial Management and a Higher Diploma in Business Management. She began her career at Lesedi as Site Financial Manager, before moving into the position of Financial Manager and then her current roles. Van der Poel has a deep passion for developing individuals – especially women in the workplace. She names the success of the Lesedi Skills Academy as one of her proudest achievements. Her life philosophy – “nothing is impossible, I’m possible” – reflects her approach to continuous development through education and self-upliftment.

Phumezi Sidonti

Senior HSE Manager

Given the importance of health and safety in industrial and nuclear settings, Sidonti has a key role at Lesedi Nuclear Services. As
the company’s Senior Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Manger, she is responsible for developing HSE management systems and ensuring compliance with all legal guidelines and country-specific regulations. With her keen eye for detail, she conducts regular review audits and has developed a series of health and safety management plans to minimise risk and protect her colleagues. Sidonti completed her degree in Environmental Management in 2004, and subsequently pursued a career in HSE in the construction and engineering space. She believes in transformational leadership, characterised by emotional intelligence, and in fostering an evolving environment that motivates her team to exceed company goals. A passionate advocate for the vital role of women in the engineering field, Sidonti encourages all women to recognise their potential and embrace their innate leadership qualities.

Evania Olinka Chetty

Project Manager, Nuclear Department

A mechanical engineer with more than 14 years of work experience on international and national construction and engineering mega-projects, Chetty is currently a Project Manager at Lesedi Nuclear Services. Commecially and technically astute on con- tracts, she has an eye for detail. Her technical expertise includes SMP installations and commissioning, risk management, QMS implementation and the identification and resolution of technical issues. She draws on a wealth of experience in project engineering at utility-scale power plants across South Africa, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has developed her into an engineering strategist and detailed solutionist who is adapt- able and proactive in the delivery of projects. She is passionate about sharing her enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and mathematics to future generations. To female business leaders, she says, “don’t be afraid to ask questions”.

Robyn Hueber

3D Piping Engineer

Robyn Hueber designs and models 3D piping for various systems to create accurate isometrics, pipe supports, general arrangements and detail drawings – from conception to construction and as-built status. Her career features successes in the mechanical and geotechnical engineering industries and previous projects include the designing of bulk fuel and oil storage tank facilities for industry giants like Total, OTGGC and Astron Energy. “I like to lead by example,” says Hueber. “It’s imperative to
nurture a culture where team members have confidence in asking questions and taking initiative.” She is keenly aware of her role as a woman in the nuclear energy business. “I recently read Magda Wierzycka’s book,” she says. “She wrote about being an ethical, dynamic, hard-working woman who is making a stand in the white male-dominated investment banking industry.” Hueber calls on her female colleagues and counterparts to ‘be the mentor you wish you had when you were starting out”.

Natasha Africa

Human Resources Executive

Natasha Africa is an accomplished HR executive with 23 years of experience in the engineering, technology and project management sectors. Beginning her career in the power-generation industry, she has risen through the ranks, culminating in her promotion to HR Executive at Lesedi. Her expertise lies in strategic HR management and organisational development. At Lesedi, Africa has been instrumental in enhancing various development

initiatives, including programmes for apprentices, people with disabilities, engineers in training and internships. She also gained valuable experience in leading the Lesedi Skills Academy’s operations. Africa has contributed significantly to Lesedi’s growth, overseeing a nearly 100% staff increase during her tenure. Her leadership philosophy centres on transforming individuals and teams, and she is committed to navigating future challenges and driving continued growth at Lesedi, supported by a strong HR team and executive leadership.

Thandokazi Tanqa

Project Manger

Thandokazi Tanqa is a relatively new face at

Lesedi Nuclear Services, having joined the company towards the end of 2023. However, she has a wealth of experience in the nuclear energy space and previously worked as a project leader in Nuclear Project Management at Eskom’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Station. The 15 years she spent at Africa’s only nuclear power station saw her work her way up through the ranks, having started out as a technician in training at Koeberg in 2008. Her education includes a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and a BTech in Project Management. Now that she is in a management role, Tanqa believes in democratic leadership. “I involve my team members in the decision- making process and I value their opinions and input,” she says. She is also a firm believer in creative thinking and innovative approaches to problem-solving, and she encourages this among her team and colleagues. “I’m inspired by the quote attributed to Albert Einstein,” she says. “Logic will get you from A to B, but imagination will take you everywhere.”

www.lesedins.co.za

Email: info@lesedins.co.za

Phone: +27 21 525 1300