This women's month, we celebrate the women driving change within the ranks at Nissan South Africa
Nissan believes that enabling women, particularly in management positions, is essential to providing diverse value to customers. This belief is evident in the increase in female management the company has seen globally, from 6.7% in 2008, to 13.9% in 2020.
Nissan South Africa has spent more than R56 million in training and development of female employees over the last five years and has reiterated its commitment to the cause by increasing representation of females at management and executive levels to 25% by 2025.
This month, we get to know the women whose lives have been impacted by Nissan's commitment to diversity and those who have been leading some of Nissan South Africa's most crucial projects in recent years.
Meet Chantelle Nkosi, general manager, Plant Quality at Nissan South Africa.
Q1: Tell us about your role at Nissan and how long you've been with the company?
Nkosi: I have been with Nissan South Africa since October 2008. I'm a Plant Quality General Manager, responsible for New Model Management. For plant quality, I manage suppliers, and overall shop quality control from Press, Body, Paint and FAI. This includes engineering quality which focuses on preventative quality management, implementation of standards, auditing, ISO certification etc. For New Model Management, I manage project KPI's, milestone achievement (moving from one stage to the next of the project) and process readiness etc.
Q2: As one of the leading ladies at Nissan, can you tell us about a project you've led that you're most proud of?
Nkosi: It has to be the new Nissan Navara. My involvement started in 2011 when it was an idea and I have worked on the project through out. With the global COVID-19 pandemic, I've seen the Nissan South Africa team with remote support from our global members show that with dedication we can do anything. I am proud to see this vehicle rolling out of our Rosslyn manufacturing plant and even happier to see South Africans love the vehicle as the Nissan family does.
Q3: Any internal accomplishments you'd like to share?
Nkosi: For me, seeing some of the graduates that I trained become leaders in my area and others has really inspired me, and given me more confidence in my training and mentorship skills. I believe in paying it forward and I am doing exactly this.
Q4: Can you tell us more about the challenges you've overcome in the automotive industry as a female leader?
Nkosi: The nature of my work is very operational, resulting in a male dominated environment. As a female, you find that you work harder than everyone else to earn respect from your peers and superiors. One thing I have always been weary of is not to lose my feminine side as that is part of what makes me the type of leader I am today.
Q5: In your position as a leader, how do you ensure that you empower other women at Nissan?
Nkosi: I mentor both young women and men in my area and other departments. I also learn from both old and young as I believe one needs to continuously improve - after all "We are Stronger Together."
Q6: Any anecdotes you can share on your time working at Nissan?
Nkosi: I almost ruined my career when I was a technician! A colleague and I were trying to lift a car with a Two-Post lift. We thought the operation would be easy, especially when we were successful in lifting the vehicle. We completed the underbody check and started to lower the vehicle, when one of the posts fell! It was horrendous! The unit just so happened to be one of the first units that we built for this vehicle, so you can imagine how anxious my colleague and I were. Luckily, we managed to get it right and not too many people found out.
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