In 1999, I completed a National Diploma in Purchasing Management from Tshwane University of Technology. I then worked as a Senior Buyer at Eskom Generation Division for six years which was a platform to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. My responsibilities were to facilitate the tendering, procurement, and contract award process, providing advisory services to contract managers on the principle of contract management and in dealing with contractors and suppliers. In this role, I led and managed a team of 16 directs subordinates. The high rate of unsustainable SMME’s and declined tenders submitted by local SMME’s sparked my interest to consider a career change and move to SMME and community development. My qualification and experience in procurement equipped me to be able to guide SMME’s and entrepreneurs on tendering requirements, principles of contracting management as well as statutory compliance issues. In 2011, I was employed by Mondi Forestry as a Business Development Manager to manage the ESD portfolio for Mpumalanga and KZN region for six years. My responsibilities included providing SMME business development support, administer loan and grant funding facility, providing business advisory to contractors, suppliers, aspiring entrepreneurs, and surrounding communities. In this role, with the challenges of managing a diverse team of four, I undertook and completed a Management Development Programme on Leadership with the University of Free State. The purpose of this course was to better my understanding of leadership and to broaden my insight into the most important management disciplines. In 2017, I was appointed by MTO Forestry as the Enterprise and Supplier Development Manager for the North region. Within 3 months in service, the business requested me to serve on a group level, I willingly accepted the additional responsibilities afforded to me for my personal growth and exposure, without expecting any financial compensation. My responsibilities included mentoring existing contractors, liaising with interested entrepreneurs regarding economic transformation development initiatives, and entrepreneurship programs. As I continue to serve on this role, I always accept additional responsibilities of handling online or walk-ins’ queries and complaints regarding MTO’s tendering and procurement processes which are outside of my scope of work. In this role as ESD Manager, I had one direct subordinate to empower and who also empowered me on budget and financial management issues. In 2019, MTO nominated me to participate in the MTO Leadership Development Program course. This course mainly focused on self-discovery, self-management, how to handle crucial conversations and emotional intelligence, helped me grow as an aspiring leader, to understand how to lead a team, communities, and how to support other leaders. With the new way of doing things, the 4th industrial revolution, and COVID19 post effect – we are required to work remotely and on virtual engagements with stakeholders, it is important to highlight that I have a National Advance Computer Literacy Certificate obtained at National Computer College and can confidently work on Microsoft Programs, Teams, SAP, NAV, SAGE, and Zoom. I strongly believe that given the opportunity to serve on the new role of SRBP in the North, I will be able to make a valuable contribution based on my career exposure, qualifications, and experience as listed above. Below, I would also like to highlight other important attributes that make me a suitable candidate for the role: • I am currently doing my Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management qualification with Mancosa and I am left with one module to graduate and complete this qualification. This qualification has helped me to be able to give relevant advice to contractors. • I am very passionate about transformation and sustainable development and I am interested in positions that will allow me to contribute to improving the quality lives of our communities and our organizational culture/environment. This new role will present me with stretch-goals, an opportunity to be exposed, and learn about the land reform issues which also forms part of transformation issues. I easily adapt to change and believe in continuous improvement. • Being the only specialist in ESD for the past 3 years within the organization, I am willing and capable to guide, transfer my skills and knowledge to other SRBP’s on ESD, if needed. • My contribution towards achieving scorecard targets for the ESD element plays a pivotal role in meeting and exceeding the set target for the past three years. I was able to deal with the queries from the verification agency (Elsa) on my own and to independently submit for the BBBE Scorecard audit for the ESD element. • In February 2020, I was part of the team developing the MTO economic transformation strategy and fully understand the challenges and dynamics. If appointed for this new role, I strongly believe that I will take an active role in creating awareness of the strategy and to ensure the successful implementation of the strategy. • In July 2020, I am enrolled to study for the Management Development Programme in BBBEE and Scorecard revised Codes at the University of South Africa. This course will equip and empower me on the five elements of the scorecard and will be of greater use with the implementation of MTO’s economic transformation strategy. I will be able to handle crucial conversations on transformation issues with full understanding and confidence. • I am a fast learner, and willing to learn more about SED and land reform issues. I enjoy reading and benchmarking with other external peers to empower myself and to stay abreast of what is happening in the industry. • I enjoy networking, relationship building, and stakeholder engagement and have extensive experience in complaint handling, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. • Being an introvert and a mild-mannered person helps me to listen more attentively and pay more attention to details. When given a chance, I feel confidently engage, challenge, and stand for what I believe in. I am curious and like to enquire to get a better understanding of issues and avoid confusion. • I am a friendly yet assertive, and easily approachable person who understands the importance of maintaining the highest level of confidentiality. I believe it is my interpersonal skills and ability to positivity engage that I have managed to build and maintain the various meaningful relationship with stakeholders, peers, and contractors • My qualifications and professional development have contributed to my ability to manage diverse responsibilities and meet deadlines. My communication skills and sound knowledge of business report writing skills. The fact that I can easily communicate in most local languages that are used in Mpumalanga makes it easier for communities to feel comfortable to express themselves in their vernacular. • Being a self-starter, self-motivated, and self-directed, I am very decisive and open to taking calculated risks and change. I am an analytical thinker and able to solve problems and work independently without close supervision. I can also work well with my team and other people. • In 2019, I was trained on the new FSC revised standard and understand the compliance requirements of the social elements. • Finally, and on a lighter note, I am a highly ethical and professional employee with no disciplinary case, no verbal warning, no poor performance issues have been raised against me, and on my HR file.