Lewatle: HEREFORHER

Women's month edition, profiling the women of MultiChoice.

LEWATLE THE MULTICHOICE ISSUE MAGAZINE

HERE FOR HER CELEBRATING WOMEN’S MONTH

ABOUT LEWATLE MAGAZINE

LEWATLE is a print magazine that highlights and celebrates emerging storytellers in Africa, specially in the Film and Television industry. It was founded by its Chief Editor, Mapule Mokete in July 2023. Mapule carefully studied the film industry while she was an intern at MultiChoice Talent Factory and discovered that it needs more platforms like LEWATLE, where storytellers and creatives meet, network and possibly collaborate - doing that in the most precious way, through PRINT. Each issue is different, covering diverse specialties such as producing, directing, acting, acting for theatre, photography, scriptwriting, film reviews, continuity etc, allowing you to experience filmmaking as an art and an industry through the written word. Apart from publishing LEWATLE the magazine, we write and produce films of our own and aim to publish other people’s books as well. We cover movie premieres, art exhibitions and film festivals. A full media house at your services.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

HERE FOR HER, HERE FOR AFRICA

A NEW ERA OF WOMEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF FILM

10-54

CELEBRATING MULTICHOICE GROUP WOMEN

CREDITS

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editor’s note.

#HEREFORHER

MAPULE MOKETE Editor-in-Chief & MultiChoice Talent Factory Alumni

My experience as an intern at MultiChoice is one I will never forget, it is with great joy that I write this letter. The company saved my life. Just yesterday, I was a little girl pursuing her Journalism degree at Rhodes University, dreaming of being an Editor-in- Chief of a magazine, MultiChoice has granted me the resources and the platform to make that happen. I am honoured to be trusted with the #HereForHer campaign this year, to profile 22 amazing women who are doing incredible work in the MC ecosystem. In this issue, we are sharing stories of inspiration. Authentic stories from women who have worked hard to be where they are today. I am here for women who won't stop running like they are on fire towards their dreams so it is absolutely inspiring to meet women who are making an impact and becoming everything they want to be. The team and I had a lovely time getting to know them outside their work life.

This issue is a love letter to all women. My only hope is that you read, connect and recognise the beauty and the power of chasing your dreams. With every turn of a page, I hope each story takes you to a place you've never been before. To my mother, Rachael, I am always in awe of the woman that you are and I am so proud to be learning it all from you. I love you forever. To all the women at MultiChoice, you truly enrich people's lives. May you be blessed.

Happy Women's Month.

Maps Love, always!

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#HEREFORHER

LEWATLE MAGAZINE

in partnership with

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HERE FOR HER, HERE FOR AFRICA. Words by Tshepiso Malatjie Chief People Officer at MultiChoice Group

#HEREFORHER

African women have demonstrated exceptional leadership in various fields, from business and entrepreneurship to education and politics. Their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit have fuelled economic growth and social progress. At MultiChoice Group, we are committed to fostering a workplace that values diversity, inclusion, and the empowerment of women. Recognising the pivotal role women play in shaping the future of our industry, we have implemented a comprehensive strategy to support their professional development and create a more equitable environment. There’s a clear demand to provide the right support to women professionals, it isn’t merely a moral obligation but a strategic imperative. Women bring so much to the fore, not only their skills and unique insights but their resilience to succeed at anything they put their minds to. To empower women at all levels, we've implemented initiatives like the Women in Sport Ally program and the Advancing Women's mentorship program. We also offer scholarships to women studying STEM subjects and have celebrated gender equality with campaigns like "Here for Her." Our leadership team is increasingly diverse, with 43% of our top and senior management positions held by women. We're investing in their development through programs like the Top Women Leaders initiative offered by GIBS. We're passionate about providing African households with essential entertainment and services. To achieve this, we're focusing on our people, and empowering women is a key component of our strategy. With 39 years of experience and a presence in 50 African countries, we're well-positioned to lead the industry. By fostering a culture of inclusion, providing opportunities for growth, and promoting gender equality, we're creating a more equitable and sustainable future for our business and the communities we serve. As the world continues to evolve, we'll remain dedicated to women's empowerment. We believe that by harnessing the talent and potential of our female workforce, we can achieve our vision of being the preferred platform for African households and enriching their lives.

By fostering a culture of inclusion, providing opportunities for growth, and promoting gender equality, we're creating a more equitable and sustainable future for our business and the communities we serve. As the landscape continues to evolve, we'll remain dedicated to women's empowerment. We believe that by harnessing the talent and potential of our female workforce, we can achieve our vision of being the preferred platform for African households and enriching their lives.

A NEW ERA OF WOMEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF FILM. Words by Nomsa Philiso CEO of General Entertainment at MultiChoice Group

#HEREFORHER

By seeing women in positions of decision-making and influence, young girls and women are inspired to pursue their own dreams and aspirations within the industry. For the past ten years, MultiChoice has been on a deliberate mission to nurture and propel talent, not only in South Africa but across the entire continent. As a company deeply rooted in Africa, we are committed to the prosperity of this great continent. The MultiChoice Talent Factory stands as a testament to this commitment, enabling the vibrant voices of our youth to be heard through captivating, original content. Within program we have been intentional in ensuring the young women have the opportunity to be exposed to the industry and representation if reflected. Our interns spend 12 months immersed in the craft of storytelling, working alongside some of South Africa's leading TV producers. They direct, produce, and fine-tune their skills in cinematography and art direction, all while learning about the realities of working in the industry. Despite the progress that has been made, there is still much work to be done to achieve true gender equality in film. In 2018 the NFVF reported that out of 55 films produced between 2000 and 2007, only 6 were directed by females. The rise of women in TV and film is a momentous development that is shaping the future of African storytelling. From acclaimed actors visionary directors and producers, women are making their mark. By breaking down barriers, inspiring the next generation, and fostering collaboration, women are paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future for film. As we continue to celebrate their achievements and support their endeavours, we can look forward to a new era of storytelling that is both empowering and inspiring.

The landscape of television and film has undergone anenormous shift in the past 30 years, one that is particularly noteworthy for the rise of women to the forefront. From directing and producing to starring in leading roles, women are increasingly breaking down barriers and shaping the narratives that captivate audiences worldwide. This evolution is not only a testament to their talent and determination but also a reflection of a broader societal shift towards greater gender equality. One such trailblazer who has made significant strides in the industry is Nomzamo Mbatha. Not only did she deliver a stellar and award- winning performance in the acclaimed series "Shaka iLembe," but she also took on the executive producer role, demonstrating her multifaceted talents and commitment to storytelling.

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ASHLEIGH LANGMAN SENIOR MANAGER : REWARD MOBILITY

ASHLEIGH

Leading with Compassion

Words by Ree Ntuli

Crafting one’s name while actively working towards dismantling stereotypes about women in leadership roles is no easy feat. Still, there are those amongst us who do it with a panache worth emulating. With over twelve years of experience in Global Mobility Tax, Ashley Langman has solidified her place in the corporate world. As Senior Manager at MultiChoice Group’s Reward Mobility Unit, she oversees all matters relating to tax compliance – a role she is as passionate as she is pliable about. ‘I’m quite passionate about and proud of the work I do, but I also try not to take myself too seriously. One of the things I’ve learned throughout my career is that not every work emergency is necessarily a crisis. When you do your work diligently and nurture your professional relationships, mutual trust and reliability become the glue that holds those relationships together so that nobody panics or second-guesses you when you’re unable to instantly reply to an email.’

Speaking of nurturing professional relationships, some of the practical ways Ashley ensures that the support she gives to the staff under her leadership - particularly those who identify as women - is felt and even replicated includes leading with empathy. ‘I think it’s important to lead with compassion. Having recently returned from maternity leave, I remember coming to work with such high expectations for myself to do everything at once and by myself, but it did not take long for me to realise that I could not and that I relied on the empathy and the support of those around me. So, I try to extend as much of that as possible, I tell my junior staff that rather than overextend themselves to their own detriment, they should practice saying no to those tasks they’re unable to perform at a particular time for whatever reasons. I’m also deliberate about giving support to single moms who often have to juggle work and parenthood without the soft landing places afforded to married/coupled moms.

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Being in a leadership role also comes with an awareness that there are people who look up to you and might share your values and adopt your leadership style. As a leader, one has a responsibility to encourage and offer support, particularly to those who are younger and have just entered the job market. ‘My team consists of diverse and intergenerational age groups, so, the way I interact with a 50-year-old colleague, for instance, will not be the same way I interact with a 23- year-old colleague. I am deliberate about meeting everyone where they are, which I think is important. I also believe in nurturing these relationships at an individual level, getting to know people outside of group settings means you’re able to offer custom-tailored support.’ Speaking about some of her favourite moments from this year’s Women’s Moth, Ashley reflects with fondness at the 2024 Olympics that recently took place, she also recalls her own time as a swimmer back in school. ‘Tatjana Smith winning the gold and the silver at the Olympics was a huge moment for me, not only as a woman, but as a former swimmer myself. I felt represented on the world stage and my passion for the sport was revived. It felt good to be reminded that we can do whatever it is we put our heart and mind into.’

ASHLEIGH

On being a working mother: ‘I recognise the privilege of having solid support structures at home; having somebody who takes care of my children while I work is a privilege I don’t take for granted because it makes a world of difference both at home and at work. As a wife, I am also aware of the privilege afforded to married women, hence I do the best I can to ensure that single moms in the workplace are supported in ways that matter because motherhood is demanding. As far as routines are concerned, I’ve worked out a schedule that works for me at home, for instance, 5-8 pm is a time dedicated to my children, and then from 8 pm, my attention is redirected to my husband. This strikes a perfect balance in my roles as mother and wife.’ The three things she thinks she is known for by those who know her are empathy, humour and passion. ‘I am fully committed to whatever role and responsibility I am entrusted with.’

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BONISIWE DLAMINI

BONISIWE

on enriching lives

SENIOR MANAGER : TRANSFORMATION & CSI

Words by Mapule Mokete

Some heroes wear capes, and some wear a smile to work every day with a drive to make a difference. Bonisiwe Dlamini’s journey has always been one of learning, appreciating and enriching the lives of many people around her. Holding a BA in Humanities from Andrews University in Michigan, and background as a teacher, she realised through teaching that she wanted to do more for people. “For me, it’s really about increasing social fabric in our communities, so I decided to leave teaching and went into Corporate Social Responsibility when the opportunity presented itself”. Bonisiwe has been within CSI for close to 20 years. Her passions include bringing together corporates and other partners to make sustainable contributions that will help people in our communities to live better and empowered lives.

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BONISIWE

Bonisiwe’s, role at MultiChoice is to develop and drive the company’s Transformation and CSI strategy. This role requires someone who enjoys working with people and strongly believes in the power and beauty of allyship. “At MultiChoice, I’ve seen how we can do so much more together, that’s why we make sure that we create strong partnerships that will sustain our long-term projects”, Says Boni. Some of these projects include the MultiChoice Innovation Fund (MIF), the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) and the DStv Diski Challenge. She has watched these projects create jobs and empowering them to be the best versions of themselves. Last year alone, Bonisiwe and the CSI team created 395 jobs through small businesses in various programmes such as MultiChoice Africa Accelerator, Enterprise Development Fund and preferential procurement.

Outside of the office, Bonisiwe is a mother of three boys and a devoted, loving wife. She beams up as she mentions her family. “They are my pillar of strength and cannot imagine life without them”. Being able to maintain a good balance between being a mother, wife and her corporate responsibilities has been an interesting journey for Bonisiwe, making her life worth living more. Being in a leadership position means constantly working on yourself. It is no shock that Bonisiwe looks amazing and thrives in what she does. This boss lady spends time in church and the gym to ensure a good mental health and continuously strives to enhance her skills and knowledge. She embarked and completed her MBA with Henley Business School in 2011. “The world is changing so fast, so my skills need to match the present day-to- day requirements.” She says. Bonisiwe Dlamini is one incredible woman, doing the Lord’s work. This women’s month, we shine a light on women like her; whose work has meaningful impact on people’s lives. When asked how she feels about being seen and what came out of her mouth is profound, “increasing the social fabric of communities is passion and purpose, to be given a pat on the back for something that I really love is special to me.”

Speaking of community development and upliftment, Bonisiwe’s belief is that people feel empowered when they are given the opportunities to be able to stand up for themselves and decide their own destiny. She says that “People want the tools and access to take ownership of their lives”, so for her, being able to provide that, gives her hope and fulfilment. To be able to share some insights of her life and career and hopefully encourage young people when they feel like giving up is something she holds very dear to her heart.

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BOPHELO MAKHETHA

BOPHELO taking over the technology sector

DELIVERY MANAGER

Words by Mapule Mokete

Bophelo Makhetha has recently moved to Solution Development in a division called EBS at MultiChoice. She takes care of a few software development teams for the company’s payment system, as the delivery manager. She is responsible for the delivery and the quality of content and also guiding her team to ensure they are delivering the best possible products, with best quality and staying current. She started working at MultiChoice four years ago, as a senior Al engineer in the Emerging Technologies department, then later on moved into Product Management.

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Bophelo’s journey started at the University of Witwatersrand, obtaining a BSc degree in Mathematics and Computer Sciences. It is no doubt that she has a sharp mind and is technologically inclined. After graduating, she joined the MultiChoice graduate programme. More than ten years in the technology field and Bophelo still appreciates and respects her work. She has seen the field change, being more welcoming to women over the years. From being the only woman software developer in the team, to seeing more women taking up leadership roles in technology. With the knowledge that the Technology is male

BOPHELO

dominated, when asked about challenges she has faced in the space as a woman, she said “I don’t think I have any challenges related to me being a woman, and not to minimize the challenges that other women might be having because I know those are real. I have been around for some time, over the years, I have learned how to navigate it.”

We are currently in production for our experimental film. We have eight weeks of pre-production while juggling classes from 9:00 to 17:00, along with assignments and presentations. As a producer, I need to manage my time very well and schedule meetings with my crew. This can be challenging, as our schedules often clash. Sometimes, we resort to meeting on Saturdays and Sundays to ensure we meet our deadlines and are well prepared for the shoot.

Bophelo’s typical ‘day in a life of a developer and deliveries manager’ includes a lot of firefighting, planning, negotiating with stakeholders and working with a number of teams to ensure that they are building the right software at the right time, the right way. Her favourite thing about it all is being thoroughly involved in the technical detail. This women’s month, Bophelo is grateful to be recognised for her work. “it feels really good to be seen because it takes a lot of grit and sacrificing”, she says. 15

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CANDICE KEILLER

CANDICE

Queening in Content

SENIOR MANAGER : CONTENT PROCESSING

Words by Riley Hlatshwayo

The world of digital content is fast-paced and dynamic, where information flows incessantly and trends change in a minute, you wouldn’t be faulted for losing your mind in the haze of it all, but trust that Candice Keiller is at the top of it. She—with her team of four managers who move different parts in this bustling machine of going through the content and processing it for Showmax, CatchUp, and other third parties—is the often unseen force behind the scenes, meticulously organising, and ensuring that what makes it on your screens is what needs to be there.

Candice Keiller is the Senior Manager of Content Processing, a position that requires one to have a sharp eye for detail, a deep understanding of creating, editing, and distilling content, as well as the company’s voice and position, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

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CANDICE

When one sits down with Candice to discuss her work and how she became the person she is today, it’s hard not to feel that you’re in the presence of greatness. She speaks about her job with a voice filled with joy and pride—the tone of someone who genuinely enjoys what she does. A lifelong lover of content, so much so that she considered herself a couch potato, Candice understands that every piece of content is important and deserves priority. An all-round creative, she has been with MultiChoice for 21 years, bringing a wealth of experience in finance, marketing, scheduling, and even scriptwriting, to name a few, to her current position. One of Candice’s proudest achievements is her work in anti-piracy, an initiative that involved sending content to social media and blacklisting pirated material. She’s passionate about protecting intellectual property, emphasising how piracy is a form of theft that harms the industry. By red- flagging illegal content, she ensures that the hard work of artists and companies is safeguarded, and this is something that she still enjoys doing to this very day.

As consumers of film and television content, we are aware of the people behind our favourite productions and may even know their names, but we aren’t aware of the people who bring said content to our living rooms. Speaking with Candice provides a deeper appreciation for the unsung heroes like her and her team. They meticulously review every piece of content with a fine-tooth comb, solving problems before they reach our screens, leaving very little room for error. It is this that brings Candice to highlight one of their challenges as content processing managers, the problem of late deliveries from production companies, which causes delays. To counter this, content processing managers like Candice must stay on their toes, implementing backup plans to ensure that viewers’ experiences remain seamless. Balancing her role as a mother and wife with her demanding job, Candice takes great pride in her work and the harmony she’s found between her personal and professional life. She credits this balance to having supportive management that allows employees to thrive. “I’ve had fantastic managers throughout my journey who have given me the freedom to grow,” she reflects. This sentiment echoes the experiences of many women at MultiChoice, a few which we have had the opportunity to speak with, where the company culture inspires, supports, and nurtures employee growth. Candice Keiller and her team have seen and engaged with numerous innovations at MultiChoice, some of which remain under wraps for now, but she shares how fascinating it has been to witness their implementation. During our conversation, she mentions the work they’ve done with Showmax, initially designed for South African expats who struggled to access content from home. “As the years progressed,” Candice notes, reflecting on the constantly evolving digital content landscape, “we’ve enhanced and adapted to compete with other streaming channels, and we’ve created magic with the new Showmax.”

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CHARIS COLEMAN HEAD OF DIGITAL CONTENT

Yogi at heart, Content Creation at Mind.

Words by Ree Ntuli

Charis Coleman is the MultiChoice Group’s Head of Digital Content with a focus on South Africa. She describes her portfolio as wide and interesting. Her role entails managing the Social Media Content team that oversees some parts of general entertainment and the DStv website. She further manages a video production team that creates promotional content and advertisements that are flighted on air. She also manages a Talent Marketing team and works with designers to create what she refers to as ‘out-of-home’content, i.e., billboards and retail. While her title says, ‘Digital Content’, it is essentially a combination of Content Marketing she says.

She is cognisant of the scarcity of women in the creative aspect of Content Marketing and is deliberate about bringing in more women into the fold in order to close the gap. She admits that while social media content is mostly run by women, rarely do we get to see the same women boast of titles such as Creative Director. Most agencies and Production companies are headed by men, Charis says. ‘In cases where women are visible, they’re usually put inside the marketing bracket that involves titles such as copywriting and social media, you will be pressed to find women who’re designers, or producers behind the camera.’ The good thing about MultiChoice, however, says Charis, is that the company is big on empowering women, which is a different experience for her considering the previous fields she has worked in.

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CHARIS

On taking up space and using her voice, Charis says it is these limitations on women’s capabilities that push her. She believes in self- reinvention and encourages women to take up spaces. ‘I am not scared of taking up space in male- dominated rooms. I speak up for myself and lift the voices of others.’ On how the taking up of space and the upliftment of others looks like in reality, Charis speaks about the incubator programme that was undertaken by MultiChoice two years ago, with the purpose of supporting content creators who’re from disadvantaged backgrounds. In the two years that the programme has been running, ten people have been incorporated, and out of the ten, eight have been women. ‘It is important to give women the opportunity to come forward and be seen in media, and MultiChoice has done an incredible job in seeing that through.’

Within the teams she manages, she allows women to have their voice by encouraging them to present their own work ‘because that’s how their confidence develops and grows. I push them to lead campaigns even when they also head families. In an instance where a woman needs to leave work early because she has a family emergency, I allow her to attend to the emergency while securing whatever campaign she was initially meant to lead so that when she eventually returns to work, she finds that she’s still in charge. I do this to teach them that they deserve to be in leadership roles even as they are responsible for their families back home; it is possible for all of us.’ The hybrid model has allowed Charis enough time to attend to her parenting duties while strutting around the house in yoga pants. ‘I like to imagine myself as a fitness bunny even though I’m not really one.’ Her day in the office typically consists of her scanning her messages and emails from the previous day, she then does copy- proofing, signs off video work, motivates and brainstorms ideas with her team while also attending back- to-back meetings in between. Her Women’s Month wish list consists of women being given a full day of shopping at some of the most expensive retailers and women being allowed to have free daycare at work. ‘A day or a month where women do not have to worry about anything would be the best thing to ever happen for us.’

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ETHEL MOTHAPO LEGAL SECRETARY : AFRICA GENERAL

ETHEL

Versatile & Unstoppable.

Words by Luthando Nkambule

Hailing from the small village of Taung in the North West province, Ethel proves to be a woman with a plan. We start her story off after she matriculated in 1997 and set off to Johannesburg in search for greener pastures. Upon her arrival in Gauteng in 2001, Ethel first worked as a domestic worker until 2005, when she then received an opportunity to further her studies then worked as an office assistant at a mining company in Sandton.

In 2014, she then seized an opportunity to work at MultiChoice as a Refreshment Officer and thereafter was awarded with a position as a Legal Administrator in 2015, where her interest in the Legal Department was then piqued. While working in the Legal Department, Ethel was sent on a secondment at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, a law firm in Sandton, for three months, where she gained a lot more skills within the Legal Department; only for her to return and be appointed as Legal Secretary, after finding that their previous secretary had resigned and she had approached her H.O.D to give her a chance - Ethel has proven to be a go- getter.

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ETHEL

This Women’s Month, Ethel advises young women who are still coming up, to trust themselves and to “always present a ‘can- do’ attitude”. “No job is beneath you”, she says. She encourages young women to work their way up and to practise patience. Ethel believes that being a jack of all trades is one’s saving grace. Lastly, she stresses that the world doesn’t owe anybody anything, and that young women need to go out and work for what they want. Within her own career, Ethel has looked up to; and has drawn inspiration from her H.O.D, Khululiwe Ntsgangase, among other women in her department, for how well they perform under pressure. However, she majorly draws a lot of inspiration from her mother, who raised her as well as her seven siblings on her own. Her mother has presented strength and resilience and has taught Ethel and her siblings that the world is cruel; and they in turn, have to learn to go out there and do things on their own, without expecting anything from anyone.

Ethel strives to go even further in her career in the next few years; hopefully ultimately becoming an Executive’s Assistant. In the spirit of Women’s Month, Ethel’s closing message to women is to continue to fix one another’s crowns, without expecting anything in return. Kindness costs nothing and goes a long way.

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FLAVIA MOTSISI

FLAVIA

on telling African Stories.

SENIOR MANAGER: SCRIPTED CONTENT GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT

Words by Mapule Mokete

The growth in the South African Film industry has been evident in the past few years. We see that through the shows we watch on platforms like DStv and Showmax. Currently serving as the Senior Manager of Scripted Content in General Entertainment at MultiChoice, Flavia Motsisi works with a team of commissioning editors to bring us authentic African narratives in ways that we have not seen before.

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FLAVIA

Flavia’s journey has been full of glitter and blossoms. She got introduced to MultiChoice through an internship in 2012 when she was a film student at AFDA majoring in Television Production, Editing and Acting. Coming from humble beginnings, for Flavia, being in film school was a dream. Her family had to sacrifice a lot for her to be able to afford her tuition, including her mother having to sell their family home. She has been a curious girl, for her, being in film school was more about getting internships, networking, getting as much access to the industry so that once she graduates, she could immediately get a job. She understood the competitiveness of the industry she was working in, and that is why she knocked on every door until she met Kristen Blomberg, who believed in her. After working at Kyknet for what was supposed to be a day to complete her Honours practicals, that opportunity opened a whole new door for her to work in broadcasting.

Flavia started working as a Commissioning Assistant at MultiChoice in 2015 and has worked up the ladder to becoming the Senior Manger of scripted content in General Entertainment. As the Senior Manager, her role, alongside her team, is to create strategies for where they think the scripted content need to go. “We ask ourselves questions like “what is it that is fresh for the viewers, what have they not seen before?, we hone in on the stories we tell, always pushing the envelope and finding ways to tell them the best way we know how.” Flavia explains. She has worked on many loved South African shows such as the incredible Shaka iLembe, The Wife, Housekeepers and Queen Modjadji, which is currently keeping the audience glued to their screens every Sunday evening.

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To push beyond being just in the space of broadcasting, she co- founded an organisation called Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT), which she regards one of her biggest accomplishments to date. SWIFT is an organisation created to protect and advocate for women working in the Film and Television industry. “After witnessing the discrimination that women face in this male-dominated industry, I felt the serious need to protect them”, she says. ‘I remembered how bad I wanted to be an actress but the harassment I received was uncalled for.” SWIFT has empowered a lot of women and even though she has now left the board, she continues to see the great work it does and that fulfils her. To know that she was one of three who started this powerful movement, is something she will cherish forever.

FLAVIA

With her strong entrepreneurial spirit, she also started a movement called Business with Flavia and through it, she helped women across the continent; South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Kenya to start their own businesses. “I love teaching and empowering women to just go for it”, she says. Among numerous businesses she has started along the way, her love for fashion and to look good propelled her to start an online boutique, BoutiquebyFlavs “I am a firm believer that for every single time somebody gives you a compliment, you should be able to make money of it, and so I created the boutique and it has also been one of my treasures”, Flavia says. This women’s month, as we celebrate amazing women like Flavia, she says she feels extremely blessed for her work to be seen by the company. Her journey and career growth at MultiChoice is testament to how they recognise and hone talent. “I feel so grateful and blessed. It is an absolute honour, thank you”, Flavia expresses immense gratitude for her story to be told through the Here For Her campaign.

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FRANCESCA & MPHO

FRANCESCA REDHI

MPHO KHANGALE

WELLNESS SPECIALIST

The Brilliant Women Behind Wellness

Words by Riley Hlatshwayo

In a teeming corporate jungle where demands and deadlines often take away from personal well-being, these women stand as pillars of wellness in MultiChoice’s Human Resources department. Their dedication and commitment go beyond just job descriptions—this is like a calling that drives them to ensure that every employee feels supported, valued, and cared for. They create a nurturing environment that inspires mental and physical health within the workplace through the safe space they foster and their tireless attention to detail. We sat down with Francesca Redhi and Mpho Khangale, two wellness specialists, to discuss their lives and goals, and show appreciation for them and their unwavering efforts to uplift the spirits and well- being of their colleagues, making them true champions of workplace wellness.

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FRANCESCA & MPHO

Francesca, a twenty-eight-year-old professional, describes herself as an ‘introverted extrovert,’ a personality shift she attributes to her current role. With a background in payroll and finance, this new mother found that her position in Benefits and Wellness not only expanded her professional insight but also pushed her beyond the comfort zone where she believed she would simply be dealing with numbers in solitude. Now, she thrives in a role that requires her to interact with people, a task she’s grown to love. When employees face personal challenges or medical conditions, Francesca and her team step in to provide support, offering guidance on the best way forward and assisting with necessary processes. They are part of the care pillar and center of excellence, dedicated to the overall wellness of their colleagues.

Similarly, Mpho, who is an outspoken ball of energy, credits her experience in Human Resources Admin— a role she began during the pandemic—with giving her the perspective and freedom to excel, particularly with her background in Psychology. “I love and care deeply for people,” Mpho begins when asked about the work she does, a sentiment that resonates throughout the interview. Her warm and humorous demeanour makes it easy to feel like you’re in the company of a friend, offering a glimpse into the kind of care and support she provides. This wellness specialist who reminisces about how she started out selling things on the streets and inside trains takes her role as an empath seriously, analysing what drives people and how best to help them. Like Francesca, she is someone who values people and the impressions they leave. This passion for understanding and aiding others motivated her to transition from HR to her current position as a Wellness Specialist, where she sought new challenges and opportunities for growth.

The Human Resources department has many memorable moments and is not without its challenges, and when speaking to them about the initiatives that serve as hallmark moments for them, Francesca highlights the success of her Wellness Activation campaign, which brought in the Discovery team to provide vital health checks and screenings for employees. Mpho, on the other hand, speaks highly of an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that offers wellness services, including counseling sessions for employees and their families. She shares how she personally benefited from this service, using it to help her son navigate life’s challenges, which, in turn, strengthened their bond.

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MPHO & FRANCESCA

At the heart of the wellness department’s work are the employees they support, and it’s heartening to know that their efforts don’t go unnoticed. Francesca talks about the honour of being nominated for the ‘Here for Her’ campaign, reflecting on how rewarding it is to work in an environment where they handle sensitive issues with kindness and compassion while being recognized for their contributions. Mpho echoes these sentiments, acknowledging the emotional toll of dealing with others’ problems and how she and her department have perfected putting the employees first whilst remembering to take care of themselves in the process—something that took some getting used. These remarkable young women take pride in their contributions to the company’s wellness initiatives, the indelible marks they leave with every interaction they have with their colleagues, and all the work they are yet to do in their respective futures—Francesca mentions her goal of studying towards her MBA, and Mpho’s aspirations of starting her practice as an Industrial and Organisational psychologist consulting with companies and opening an NGO that caters to young girls and women. In the time we spent speaking with these women, it is safe to say that the employees of MultiChoice and the company itself are in more than capable hands, and the world is all the better with them in it.

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JABU VITSHIMA is breaking the glass ceiling!

JABU

MANAGER : SERVICE OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Words by Riley Hlatshwayo

The finance industry is saturated with a certain kind of people, often erratic and fast-paced, it requires one to be precise and innovative, quick-thinking and easily adaptive; a few qualities that a woman like Jabulile Vitshima possesses. Currently serving as the Acting Head of Service Delivery in the Finance Department, sheoversees the Finance Business Innovation team, guiding them to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the industry. With a rich background that includes her previous role as Manager of Service Operations, she brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to her leadership.

We sat down with Jabu to chat a bit about her trajectory into the seat she now holds and what nuggets of wisdom she can impart to young people following in her footsteps, and it was quite evident that this mother of three has much to give, both in the industry and her personal life. She was born in Soweto, Johannesburg, and attended a boarding school called Hoërskool Bekker in Magaliesburg where her already headstrong demeanour was nurtured and amplified, speaking to her nature of always staying busy and thriving in challenging situations. She started her career as an intern at Vodacom before moving on to taking on other challenges at MTN. A couple of years from there she took a dive and landed at MultiChoice, where she has been for six years, and for the past eight months has been acting as Head of Service Delivery.

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JABU

The day-to-day duties that Jabu tends to are both staggering and impressive, we had a laugh about how massive a portfolio she’s handling, and with ease and finesse. She handles payroll and the travel team who facilitate bookings for corporate travel and transport, as well as some duties from her previous role as Manager of Service Operations. She and her FBI (Finance Business Innovation) team look at continuous improvement in the finance space. Everyone in their emerging tech team is inspired to think creatively and timely, speaking to their culture of collaboration and innovative thinking, and proper scaling which is inspired by the tech team—”Teaming up in this manner allows for the department to speed up the adoption of tech within this space,” the Wits BCom Accounting alumnus explains. As someone who does quite a bit in her capacity as head of a department, especially in the Shared Services area—something she is quite proud of and thrilled to be a part of, Jabu mentions that it is all due to the grooming she receives from the company, how when she moved to MultiChoice, she saw a complete career change from what she was doing at her previous job at MTN from a person who was an accountant to a techie, a person who now assists the accountant. Jabulile is insistent on growth, on taking on new roles and thriving in them because she appreciates the learning opportunity she receives from tackling a challenge and solving problems—her passion for her job is only matched by this drive to succeed, the quickness with which she learns and adapts to a new position, which leads us to her greatest achievement and hallmark moment when she was named Group Finance Employee of the Year in 2020. She mentions that she was proud of herself for this, especially since many things were happening—COVID was in the thick of it, and she had recently lost her mother. She appreciated the company providing her with the space to bury herself in work and deal with life. She also got to study with Henley, doing an ADNP course that saw her investing in her creativity just as the company was. She speaks about this with vigour and pride, highlighting how “MultiChoice rewards good behaviour and accelerates one’s growth.”

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JABU

They invest in talented employees and are intentional in evening out the playing field in the finance world---a predominantly white male-centred domain. This echoes her earlier sentiments that the company grooms its employees and invest in education, as they paid for her Postgraduate Diploma in Business Admin, a qualification she did with Henley. When asked about how she maintains a work-life balance seeing as she is always thriving at work, she speaks about the support she’s received from her partner and in-laws. “A lot of times as women, we shy away from saying we need support and asking for it,” Jabu says, and continues to urge other women to take time out and give themselves breaks and prioritise rest. This is apt motivation coming from someone like Jabu Vitshima who seems to be making strides and is well on her way to breaking glass ceilings, or aspires to. The future looks incredible for this 34-year-old tech enthusiast who sees herself getting her MBA in the next two years, stepping into her dream role of Chief Operating Officer some years after, and eventually—God willing—we might she her killing it as CEO of MultiChoice, she laughs. For Jabu Vitshima, the goal is to make young girls and women see that it is possible, to inspire them to live boldly and loudly, and to never shy away from owning their lives and achievements. Jabulile Vitshima’s story is one of a born leader who is not only steering her team through the complexities of financial service delivery but is also setting new standards for innovation and excellence in the field.

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KIM ISAACS SCHEDULING SPECIALIST : LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT CHANNELS

KIM

Blossomed & Thriving

Words by Luthando Nkambule

Kim describes herself be a bubbly person who is a lover of other people and has always had a love for media and music; it is that same love and passion that drove her into studying media, comms and journalism at Monash University. She thereafter seized an opportunity to work as an intern at ViacomCBS as an intern in 2015, where she was part of the programming team, which piqued her interest in scheduling. Her intrigue in scheduling stems from her love of media and understanding of audiences and what they want. Kim started working officially as a programming assistant when her contract was extended and thus her journey began. After seven years, she then moved on to work at Disney for nine months, before ending up at MultiChoice as a Scheduling Specialist. Kim found her biggest challenge as a woman in her field to have been finding her voice. Kim is someone who used to struggle with ‘people-pleasing’ and found it difficult to speak up and always found herself withholding her truth. She has since worked on that and has found her voice within her occupation, thanks to other incredible women that she works with, who have created a safe environment where she learned to speak up and express herself. Kim feels that women in business have an important role to play in validating other women in the workplace and creating a safe space for one another.

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KIM

Her advice to the young women of today, this Women’s Month, is that the journey of self discovery is an important one to take; to find oneself outside of their parents and societal norms. “You’re the only person that’s with you all the time, so be there for yourself”, she says. Within her career, Kim has drawn inspiration mainly from two women; her manager from her time working at MTV under ViacomCBS, Kgomotso Lakaje, who has inspired and taught Kim how to be articulate when in an environment filled with men; to speak up and be outright about her opinions. Kim’s current manager, Asamela Tom, inspires Kim through the way she manages their team with courage and grace.

Kim’s personal mantra derives from the quote, “The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts” by Marcus Aurelius. In her journey, Kim realised that our realities are created in our minds, “If our minds aren’t in a healthy or happy place, how can our realities reflect that back to us?”, she says. This quote is a reminder to her that if there’s something she isn’t happy with in her reality, she needs to change it in her way of thinking. This Women’s Month, Kim urges other women to be kinder to themselves. She encourages them to give themselves grace and wishes that they release themselves from the shame around the difficult things that they experience. Kim believes that women should be less judgemental of each other and stresses that women should constantly be there for each other, in and out of the workplace.

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MOIPONE TSOTETSI SENIOR MANAGER : EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

MOIPONE

Words by Luthando Nkambule

Moipone has had an interesting journey, which started with her finding an interest in travelling and having initially wanted a career in tourism. After high school, Moipone went on to obtain a Tourism Management diploma at the Tshwane University of Technology and thereafter went on to work at SA Tourism for six years, where her travelling dreams came true. After six years in tourism, Moipone felt the need for something different and after obtaining a few more qualifications and working at multiple other companies, she finally found herself working at MultiChoice in October 2022 and in her words, is “absolutely loving it”. work ethic on overdrive

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Moipone believes that as a woman, one always has to be assertive, in order to curb any challenges one might be faced with. To avoid being labeled or judged as a woman, Moipone has a strong work ethic and believes that it’s always best to be judged by one’s work ethic, regardless of their gender and/or race. Moipone is a woman who is not afraid to start from the bottom and work her way up. “Doing meaningful work helps me work harder”, she says. She believes that this attitude in her, helps inspire her juniors and subordinates. Passion is what drives her and that’s how she, as a leader, encourages her team. “Without passion, you won’t produce good results”, she states; and this is something that drives both her and her team into excelling. Moipone’s advice to young women, this Women’s Month, is to work hard, as the world doesn’t reward laziness. “Have a great work ethic, in order to have people speak about you in rooms that you’re not in”, she encourages. Moipone encourages the young women of today to not be afraid and to be resilient. Through her daily challenges, Moipone draws strength from God’s word. “This too shall pass” is a saying that brings her through any challenges she faces whether in or out of her workplace. She lives everyday with a deep desire to add value in everything that she does. While Moipone doesn’t have a personal mantra per se; “I can and I will” is a saying that gets her through her day.

MOIPONE Within her career, Moipone has drawn inspiration from a few women who she’s worked with, namely Pat Dumbe, who opened Moipone’s eyes to corporate communication; Smita Daniels, who encouraged her to push boundaries and to think outside the box; and Lerato Rekgotso, who inspires Moipone for her leadership style and innovative thinking. Overall, Moipone is highly inspired by her own mother. “My mother is the epitome of excellence. A great mother, wife, and business woman who holds multiple degrees. I remain in awe of all the things she does”, she says. In a nutshell, Moipone is greatly inspired by women who push boundaries. In closing, Moipone believes that women can empower one another by building authentic relationships as mentors and mentees to each other. Taking other women under your wing and helping them up; helping them grow within their own careers is what she believes will drive women further and make their fight stronger. She also stresses one should help without expecting anything in return and to be a sister to one in need.

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