Ndivhu Nepfumbada joins MAZIV as its new Group Chief Human Resources Officer (Group CHRO). She brings more than three decades of experience in human resources and a proven track record of leading transformative initiatives at prominent organisations locally and globally.
“This year has been remarkable for MAZIV, and I am delighted to welcome Ndivhu to our team,” says Dietlof Mare, CEO of MAZIV. “Our mission is to unlock potential, starting within our team, and I believe Ndivhu, with her extensive experience and prominence in the industry, will help us bring our vision and new ideas to life in the coming year and beyond.”
With MAZIV’s mandate to drive greater connectivity throughout South Africa, particularly in underserved communities, Nepfumbada says her values and vision as the new head of HR align seamlessly.
“My goal is and has always been to make a true and lasting impact,” Nepfumbada says. “Digital inclusion is a major part of this, as it speaks to job and wealth creation for the majority of our country. This means making opportunities for in-demand and critical skills development more accessible to more people. We have a responsibility to invest in and drive this within our organisations.”
Nepfumbada joins MAZIV following a seven-year tenure as heading up HR for Transunion’s Africa regions, overseeing the organisation’s operations for South Africa and seven other countries on the continent.
Her drive for economic inclusivity was likely born from the early days of her career and the new South Africa, where she embraced a focused and determined approach to making a meaningful impact on transformation.
Having obtained her bachelor’s degree from the then University of Natal (now known as the University of KwaZulu-Natal) and postgraduate qualification from Wits Business School, she moved into her first job in 1993, being the only black female on the team. She was later appointed the first black female graduate trainee at one of the major mining houses in South Africa and says it took grit to overcome the obstacles of racial and gender prejudice of that era while holding firm to her principles.
She has since held senior HR roles at industry giants such as Cummins (her first HR director post at just 29 years old), Shell South Africa, Shell Downstream in London, PPC Cement, and Nedbank where she headed transformation during a pivotal time for the group.
Nepfumbada hopes to put her unique vision and strategic mindset to work at MAZIV to create a collaborative environment between leadership and employees to cultivate a culture of continuous growth and inclusion.
“I believe in listening and understanding the unique dynamics of each organisation I join. I don’t believe in coming in like a bull in a China shop and changing everything to suit a singular, standardised notion of culture. It takes listening and patience to understand the systems that are already in place, what works, and where there is opportunity for growth,” she says.
As Nepfumbada looks ahead, Mare shares his optimism for what her leadership will bring to MAZIV’s culture.
Mare adds, “MAZIV is fortunate to have someone of Ndivhu’s calibre and passion leading our HR team. Her extensive experience, coupled with her dedication to creating inclusive and supportive workplaces, aligns perfectly with our mission to drive meaningful impact and foster a thriving organisational culture.”
