Ayanda Kotobe Finance Director

Education: Chartered Accountant – CA(SA). Studied BCom Accounting degree as well as BCom Accounting (Honours) at the University of Johannesburg.

Why did you decide to work in this industry? I have always been fascinated by money and how it enables everything around us to function. My belief is that finances are the essential cogs required to make life easier and fuel change. Being a person who is passionate about change and being at the centre of it, I have always held the view that heading up a finance department would allow me to hone my ambition but also allow me to work within an area I am most passionate about and intrigued by.

How did you rise through the ranks?
I started off my career as a trainee accountant within an audit firm as is required to obtain a CA(SA) qualification. I then worked up in the firm to the level of Audit Manager, after which I left practice to work in corporate as a finance manager, working within different divisions within one entity, even doing a stint outside of South Africa where I was appointed as a country finance director, with my move back home to South Africa leading me to RS Components SA.

What’s your biggest accomplishment?
My qualification as a CA(SA). The qualification itself has been my stepping stone towards bringing change to my family as well as my community networks.

Danise Smit Sales & Customer Services Director

Education: B-Com degree

Why did you decide to work in this industry? I found the business model of RS interesting so my decision was not based on the industry but on adding value to customers.

How did you rise through the ranks? There was no easy way. You face adversity, you face discrimination / bias as a woman. When it really got tough I would just focus on the task at hand and work hard. Put the business’ interest first. The rest followed.

What’s your biggest accomplishment? My biggest accomplishment in business is bringing divided teams together and coaching people so that they realize they are capable of way more than ever imagined. My biggest personal achievement is building a small animal rescue organization from the ground up, called The Cat Network. We now support a number of other shelters with donations, maintenance work and volunteer work. Our Instagram profile’s footprint has grown really well which is giving us the opportunity to reach a wide audience for facilitating adoptions and re-homing.

What advice would you give to other women and young people wanting to succeed in this industry? Work hard, work with honesty and integrity.

Mellisa Govender Marketing Director

Education: I started with a BCom as my undergrad, followed by an Honours in Marketing and Communications and then I completed my MBA at the Gordon Institute of Business Science.

Why did you decide to work in this industry? I have worked across various industries and segments and found a passion for working in the technology space. Even though this is a very male-dominant sector I love the challenge of learning about new products and solutions and how they make our world a better place.

How did you rise through the ranks? When I finished university, I was immediately pushed into a sales role which I quickly learnt wasn’t something I wanted to do forever, so I made the bold decision to go back into studying full time for a postgraduate degree in Marketing. I started off my career a little bit later than my counterparts but because I knew where I wanted to be it made me more determined to make up that time. I started off at the bottom as an intern and worked my way to manager within three years. I then spent several years in different management roles before joining RS as Head of Marketing.

What’s your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment has been working with young people, it can be both rewarding and highly challenging but it’s the best feeling in the world to see individuals realise their potential and grow in their careers. From a business perspective I would say helping to grow RS business in Africa.

Joanne Perry People Director

Education: I completed my Honours Degree in Industrial Psychology with Human Resources (HR) as one of my majors in 2005. I then went on to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Labour Relations Management in 2018.

Why did you decide to work in this industry? My decision to work in this industry was driven more by the actual role rather than the industry at the time. However, this is a very exciting innovative industry to be a part of as we are always at the forefront of new technologies and solutions that are coming onto the market.

How did you rise through the ranks? I started my career as an HR assistant and was promoted to a Junior HR consultant three months later where I gained excellent practical HR experience and knowledge and was exposed to various clients in different industries. I was then offered a role as an HR Manager for one of my clients, which was an important step in my career. I then joined RS nine years ago as their HR Manager which is the role I held for about six years before I was promoted to my current role as People Director.

What’s your biggest accomplishment?
I am most proud of the journey I have had in my career thus far, but most especially getting to the role that I am in now.