It is great to work at a company where your opinion matters and your contributions are taken seriously,” says women at Afrikelp™.
In honour and celebration of women during the month of August the staff at Afrikelp were asked to share their opinion on a couple of pertinent questions that relates to the role of women in society and in the workplace.
What motivates you?
Dr Amelia Reddy, Research and Development Manager is motivated by her ability to support, teach, and encourage others. “I am also motivated by the fact that I can lead the others in my team to thrive and take our company to be the leader in kelp agricultural solutions.”
Adéle Geldenhuys, Executive Director of Taurus Cape Kelp, enjoys seeing how the company and what the company stands for, installs pride into others. “To see growth in our company and to see how staff enjoys their work responsibilities fills me with pride and motivates me every day.”
Nokuzola Planga- Neti, cleaner at Afrikelp, is motivated by her passion to help others, especially those in need. “Every single day is amazing; a fresh start and I am always excited to see what a new day might bring.”
Margaret Mandishonha, is part of the research and development team at Afrikelp and setting and reaching deadlines gives her a great sense of accomplishment. “I love creating an organised schedule for completing a task and achieving my goals on time.”
Dr Dunesha Naicker, Process Improvement and Production Manager, constantly strives for perfection in her work and in her personal life. “The challenge to become the ultimate seaweed biostimulant company in the world is what motivates me. I want to ensure customer satisfaction and consistent product performance.”
Nwabisa Sheron Konjwayo, Laboratory Technician, is thankful for the opportunity to work in chemistry and microbiology and discovering new things. “I tell myself every day that God put me on earth for a purpose and my dreams are fulfilled in working in a scientific field.”
Rumbidzai Mchibwa, Receptionist, says she is motivated by learning something new every day. “I want to be a better person every day and the challenge I set myself is to meet new people. I also enjoy talking to customers online and in person and to help them with their enquiries and needs.”
Why is agriculture important?
Margaret Mandishonha, research and development, “As the world’s population grows, the demands on agricultural research will continue to increase. A changing climate presents a host of new challenges to farmers. Agriculture is important as it provides safe, affordable, and nutritious food for today and for the future. For farmers to continue producing food for more people, researchers must continue to develop improved crops and more productive farming methods. Research work must also help to protect our country’s precious biodiversity by developing environmentally friendly farming methods, for example by replacing harmful pesticides with safer bio-control methods.”
Ntsiki Williams, Human Resources, feels agriculture is important because it “touches our lives in many ways from what we eat, wear, furnish our homes with, to employment opportunities and contribution to our economy.”
Debbie Hart Administration Manager. “Without a doubt. Agriculture contributes to one of the most basic needs of humankind. It is a tough industry as it involves hard work and farmers receives little recognition for that. I really admire the dedication our farmer’s give to feeding our nation.”
Nwabisa Sheron Konjwayo, Lab Technician, also feels that agriculture plays a vital role in society. “Agriculture is important as it contributes so much to our economy with many great opportunities too. Without agriculture we would have no food and no clothing.”
How do you think Afrikelp contributes towards agriculture and food security?
Dr Amelia Reddy, Research and Development Manager reflects on the fact that there is not enough arable land for food production. “Afrikelp is able to give the farmer the potential to increase his crop yield and while still farming same amount of land, can get a better yield and is therefore, able to feed more.”
Nokuzola Planga- Neti, cleaner at the company says agriculture is important as it provides employment and food security of the country. “My company is contributing towards agriculture by reducing risks associated with agriculture because our products are natural growth stimulants. Farmers will be more profitable because our products help them to increases yield. As for the food security – with kelp the food baskets will always be full.”
Dr Keshni Gopal, Scientific Marketing Officer feels that agriculture is especially important as it is a source of food supply for the human population. “Because the raw materials are used in all sorts of industries, agriculture contributes to the lives of many. Whilst our product is environmentally friendly, it promotes growth and enhances the quality of crops thereby increasing the crop yield and availability.”
Debbie Hart, Administrative assistant, says: “I’ve seen the difference that our product makes in plants in the trials done by our research and development team. It blows me away every time they take me through their growing rooms, and I see the difference in the root growth between the treated and untreated plants. I have also heard some of the success stories of farmers that are applying our product to their crops. Without a doubt, Afrikelp is contributing hugely to the agricultural industry.”
Lucille Bensch, HR Office Manager, believes that farmers are saving water due to the better root growth. “Because farmers can apply an organic and natural product on the plants, the plants benefit.”
What would you like to change regarding how women are seen, handled, or viewed in society?
Dr Keshni Gopal, Scientific Marketing Officer, feels that women need to be treated with more respect and equality in all facets of their life. “Living in the 21st century does not call for distinctions between what a man and woman’s role in society should be. We are capable of doing anything and achieving anything we want to do.”
Ntsiki Williams, Human Resources, says: “I wouldn’t want to change how the society views us, I would like to change how we view ourselves. We do not believe in our own strength enough. I would love women to stand and work together. We are the “ultimate furnace” and if we channel our power in the right direction, we can achieve great things.”
Debbie Hart, Administrative Manager: “I would love to see that women are valued more in society. People must recognise that a women’s role is multi-faceted. Not only are they career orientated, but they also carry the weight of motherhood and raising little human beings to become great leaders for the future. Recognising, valuing, and providing more support to women can change the world!
Veliswa Mbem, Administrative assistant at Taurus, feels that women need to be respected more and that they should not be an object for physical violence.”
Rumbidzai Mchibwa, Receptionist, would like to see that women are treated fairly and as equals. “Women must be able to do any job of their choice and also be given an equal opportunity to hold powerful positions.” All women she feels, deserve a life free from violence.
Nadine Litz, Laboratory assistant, mentions that many women are still being abused emotionally and physically and that that cycle must be broken. “It is not okay to be abused in any manner and it is not okay to cover for the person abusing you.”
What do you teach children about looking after the environment?
Adéle Geldenhuys, Executive Director of Taurus Cape Kelp, “My children know how important it is to look out for our environment and that we need to be sustainable to ensure a future for all. My kids are taught to pick up waste along the coast and never to litter as this will end up in the ocean eventually.”
Asked to provide any other contribution, the women at Afrikelp wanted to thank farmers for their back-breaking and relentless efforts to provide in societies most basic needs – food and fibre. “We sometimes take you for granted because we don’t know what it takes. So, a huge thank you from all of us.”
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