Full Name: Jane Molony
Position: Executive director of the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA)
Main Activity of the Company: The PAMSA has been promoting the interests of the South African pulp and paper industry since 1992. It represents more than 90% of the country’s paper manufacturers, providing a forum for the development and presentation of common views on precompetitive industry issues
Date and Place of Birth: May 8, 1962, Harding, KwaZulu-Natal
Education: BAFA (Hons), University of KwaZulu-Natal; marketing diploma, Institute of Marketing Management
First Job: I worked in the backroom of a publishing house
Career History Prior to Current Position: Area manager for Technical Publishing House (in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape); editor of the Technical Association of Pulp and Paper industry of South Africa (TAPPSA) journal and TAPPSA executive director
Size of First Pay Packet: Too little to mention
First Job with Present Organisation: Executive director
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: 14
Management Style: Empowering – I help people to be the best they can be
Personal Best Achievement: Being married and raising four children
Professional Best Achievement: Running my own business for more than ten years. Apart from offering services to the PAMSA, my business produces a journal for the corrosion prevention industry, called Colour, Coating and Corrosion SA.
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father, who always said I could be anything I wanted to be
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My husband, who has supported and encouraged me through the good times and the bad
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: German Chancellor Angela Merkel
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Cyril Ramaphosa – he is astute, yet approachable
Philosophy of Life: Fulfil God’s purpose for your life by giving it your all and never shy away from a challenge
Biggest Ever Opportunity: It is still out there
Biggest Ever Disappointment: That South Africa Incorporated is not doing as well as it should be, but this could change and it doesn’t mean I will ever give up on this beautiful country of ours
Hope for the Future: That people realise that paper is a sustainable and renewable resource and that tablets and computers may be convenient but are not saving the environment
Favourite Reading: Printed books
Favourite TV Programme: None
Favourite Food/Drink: Hansa. I love the advert – Vuyo and the kiss of the Saas hop
Favourite Music: Eclectic – from Mumford and sons to Vivaldi
Favourite Sport: Rugby (watching) and running and tennis (participating)
Favourite Website: www.thepaperstory.co.za and www.windguru.cz
Hobbies: Flying a motorised glider and sketching
Car: Seat Leon Cupra
Pets: A ginger tomcat called Fudge
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Email footnotes that ask me to consider the environment or save a tree by not printing something. These statements are founded on ignorance – paper is far more green than its digital counterparts
Favourite Other South African Company: All five of the PAMSA’s members: Mondi, Nampak, Kimberly-Clark, Mpact and Sappi
Favourite Foreign Company: Södra, a Swedish market pulp cooperative company
Married: To Sean since November 24, 1984
Children: Claire, (she is married to Luke Merrick and has one child, Zachary Caleb); Lara, 26; Amy, 24; Thomas, 22
Clubs: East Rand Gliding Club