Woman CEO for South Africa: “A sign of things to come”
We have a question for you today: Are the following ingredients possible to combine in just one person? – Being a woman, a caring mother and having a high-level position in a leading company. If your answer was “no way,” you will be especially interested in what the lady in the picture has to say.
Her name is Nku Nyembezi-Heita and she was recently appointed CEO of our Group in South Africa. “It feels great to be here but is humbling at the same time,” says Nku. “This is a sign of things to come: the steel industry is following a global trend.”
Being a woman in this position commands interest, especially in a mostly masculine working environment: “I walk into a plant and I get a lot of attention!”
We asked Nku about the differences between a man’s and a woman’s way of managing. Check out what she says: “Women tend to be more approachable and not to bring as much ego to the business as men do. This creates less fear and a slightly better atmosphere which results in a better flow of information.” Thank you Nku for your lesson of feminine boldness!
Collaboration: Elize Zywotkiewicz, ArcelorMittal South Africa
2 comments
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April 2nd, 2008 by Evérgito Urdaneta
I can guess she is a great woman – I mean, she´s kind of a humbling woman, and I could say she is a very easy communicating manager. She is a successful woman! But as to my own experiences at work, that is not the usual way of things to be. Women tend to be very presumptuous when they are in high positions.
Congratulations, Nku and enjoy your success.
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April 2nd, 2008 by Colleen Petz
Hats off to Nku!! Congradulations!! It is not easy being a CEO in a country that is predominated by males at the top of the corporate ladder. In responding to Mr Urdaneta, all women do not tend to be presumptuous. I find that most women in CEO positions tend to be organized, systematic, and particular about how we make decisions.
We tend to look at detail and try to anticipate the outcome of the decisions we make and then press forward.
It is not easy being a full time mother with full time job responsibilities. Organization is the key. I am sure Nku is an extremely organized woman.
Again, Hats off to her!!!
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