Testimonials
VENESHREE NAIDU
BTechChemEng Distillery Manager, Kilombero distillery, Kilombero Sugar Company, Tanzania
Illovo career: I was employed as an in-service trainee in December 1994 at Illovo's Merebank distillery, and once having completed my degree, then moved from being a Process Technician to a Chemical Engineer-in-Training and then to a Process Engineer. I left in 2008 to gain valuable external experience and returned to Illovo in 2012 to work on the Kilombero distillery project.
Career highlights: Absolutely no doubt; being selected to work on the distillery project!
What excites me about my work: I LOVE knowing I make a difference! My current posting has been an amazing and fulfilling experience both technically and in people management.
What about your home life: I have an incredibly strong and rewarding home life with continual support from the people I love the most.
BRIAN BWALYA
CIMA-UK, CGMA-UK, AICPA, AZICA Tax and Treasury Manager, Zambia Sugar Plc, Zambia
Illovo career: With previous experience in the accounting field, I joined Zambia Sugar in June 2005. My career at the company so far has naturally been accounting-related, and I have been fortunate enough to rise through the ranks of the company to my present position, reporting to the Finance Director.
Career highlights: There are many! But probably being awarded the Overall Best Student in the ZICA Accounting programme in the year 2001 was one achievement which will always remain in my memory. My goal going forward is to become a financial controller and naturally, I have my eyes on the top job!
What excites me about my work: What I love most about my job is that there are new challenges nearly every day. It gives me an opportunity to be creative, conceptual and analytical. I also get thrilled at the thought of accomplishing a task perfectly; and most importantly, I really enjoy motivating others to accomplish superior results.
What about your home life: I am married to Patricia and we have three children. She is also a Chartered Accountant. Our children are very interesting characters; they are constantly asking questions, telling stories or reporting something - they just can't keep quiet. They are so much fun.
NTOMBIFUTHI SUKATI
BSc (Maths&Chem), BScAgricEng Agricultural Development Manager, Ubombo Sugar Limited, Swaziland
Illovo career: I joined Ubombo in September 2005 as an Engineer-in-Training and was very fortunate to be mentored by the current Managing Director, Oswald Magwenzi. After being appointed as Assistant Irrigation Engineer in 2007, I moved up through the organisation to my present post which brings me in daily contact with smallholder sugar farmers.
Career highlights: Working in the field of irrigation and using my technical knowledge to overcome problems; also being given the opportunity to contribute to the development of new farmer schemes.
What excites me about my work: Working with different stakeholders, involving the establishment and management of relationships. I get significant enjoyment from seeing how the work that I and others do transforms other peoples' lives - such as the smallholder farmers under the LUSIP scheme. I also get a big kick out of taking on big challenges!
What about your home life: Spending my free time with my daughter and son, and members of my extended family.
IGNATIUS PHIRI
BScMechEng; DipMechEng, SMRI Certificate in Sugar Engineering Factory Engineering Manager, Nchalo mill, Illovo Sugar (Malawi) Limited
Illovo career: Joined 1 January 2002 as Packaging and Warehouse Manager.
Career highlights: Moving from operations to core engineering maintenance and in 2012, re-designing the cooling elements arrangement on Nchalo's C-vertical crystallisers and mentoring an EIT who won the annual Group EIT presentation and as a result, travelled to AB Sugar's sugar operations in China to gain further experience in his field.
What excites me about my work: My job - running a sugar mill - gives me the opportunity to think creatively, explore alternative solutions to problems and keeping an open mind about everything I do! My career aspiration is to continue to add value to Nchalo mill, across all of my spheres of influence and align my work with Illovo core values.
What about your home life: The hallmark of my home life is to be there for my family; providing leadership and guidance. Being playful at home and having a regular, spirited laughter is good for maintaining good mental and physical health and drives stress away!
ANTONIO DANIEL MATAVELE
Currently studying Environmental Engineering and Disaster Management (3rd year) at Technical University of Mozambique (UDM) Continuous Improvement Manager, Maragra Açúcar SA, Mozambique
Illovo career: I started out in February 2002 as a planning clerk and then held various positions including that of a laboratory analyst. In 2012, I was appointed as Maragra's Risk Manager and then moved to my current position.
Career highlights: Being selected as the NOSA Risk Manager of the year, for the Richards Bay region and then last year, being part of the team responsible for winning the Group Enterprise Risk Management Award.
What excites me about my work: I get a real kick out of working with people, influencing and encouraging them to become better and more efficient at what they do.
What about your home life: My family is very important to me; and so is soccer - particularly on a Sunday afternoon!
GUYBORN MANDLA SHANGE
BTech.Mngmnt, DipAgric, DipMngmnt Cane Supply Manager, Eston mill, Illovo Sugar (South Africa) Limited
Illovo Career: I joined Illovo in June 1987 as Agricultural Trainee at Addington, Gledhow & Kranskop Farms. Throughout my career, which has included some broken service, all of my positions have been agriculturalrelated gaining experience in both our own cane operations, and in those owned and managed by private growers. I was appointed to Eston in 2011.
Career highlights: Having the opportunity to work with people who are serious about their work and who will not take the easy way out, just because its simpler to do. I would like to continue my development in the area of grower involvement.
What excites me about my work: My job entails interacting with independent cane growers and therefore requires a team player who is fair, humble, calm and goal-driven. I like operating in this space. Making a valuable contribution to people whom I work with and for, is most satisfying and a humbling feeling.
What about your home life: I am married to a teacher with two schoolgoing children - a boy and a girl of 16 and 12 years respectively. I am a family man with a keen interest in nature and love of sports, and my wish is to see my children achieving better things than myself in life.