This Women’s Month, MOYO is excited to celebrate the extraordinary women who are leading with passion and purpose across the industries we serve. These leaders are creating opportunities, driving positive change, and building a legacy for other women.
From tech pioneers developing intuitive software platforms and project managers steering initiatives to success behind the scenes, to business leaders commanding boardrooms, these women are showing us what’s possible when vision and dedication come together.
Join us as we dive into their stories, celebrate their milestones, and get inspired by their journeys.
Meet Funeka Montjane of Standard Bank
Funeka Montjane, who joined Standard Bank in 2008, is the CEO of Personal and Private Banking. Over the years, she has held various roles, including Chief Financial Officer of Personal and Business Banking and Head of Home Loans.
Under her guidance, Standard Bank garnered significant accolades, such as being named the Best Private Bank in Africa at the 2022 Global Private Banking Innovation Awards. This award is unsurprisingly (no less admirable) when we consider that Funeka’s leadership is distinguished by her commitment to financial innovation and inclusivity; she makes no secret of her aim to transform banking services for a diverse clientele by leveraging technology and digital solutions.
“Standard Bank has heavily invested in technology as we evolve from a traditional financial services organisation to a digitally enabled, diversified and universal bank. This is enabling us to transform experiences for our clients and to truly add value to their lives.” – Funeka Montjane.
Funeka Montjane is quick to celebrate the trailblazing women who came before her. She advocates for compassion towards them, recognising their immense challenges as pioneers, and encourages young women today to embrace opportunities and practice self-care to sustain their careers.
Meet Jeanette Marais of Momentum
Jeanette Marais made history when she was appointed Group CEO of Momentum Metropolitan Holdings Limited. She stepped into the role on August 1, 2023, and became the first woman to hold the title.
Jeanette began her career at Momentum in 1990, lending her expertise to launching investment platforms in South Africa. Under her leadership, Momentum Investments saw its earnings rise from R271 million in 2018 to R940 million in 2022.
Focusing on growth, innovation, and inclusivity marks Jeanette Marais’s leadership impact. She believes in the power of a united team and has been a champion for women in leadership, working to ensure more opportunities for women in senior roles. Jeanette’s approach to leadership is empathetic and strategic, and she is not afraid to trust her instincts in business decisions.
Meet Nandi Sibanyoni of Anglo American
With over 16 years of experience in science, technology, engineering, and maths, Nandi Sibanyoni is a trailblazer in integrating comprehensive safety practices into mining operations. Her interest in this sector started with her love for the outdoors, strategic thinking, and passion for working with people.
“I found that it was not organic in the industry for a female voice to be heard. I had to find ways to make mine heard.” – Nandi Sibanyoni.
Currently, Nandi Sibanyoni is the Executive Head of Safety and Sustainable Development at Anglo American. She oversees the development and implementation of systems that ensure safety is deeply embedded in every aspect of Kumba Iron Ore’s operations.
Reflecting on her journey, Nandi Sibanyoni credits the collective efforts of her team at Kumba Iron Ore. Her humility is unmistakable, and she keeps the spotlight firmly on the continuous improvement of safety standards and the empowerment of her colleagues.
Meet Melanie Naidu of Woolworths
Melanie Naidu is the Group People Director at Woolworths Holdings Limited (WHL). Her work spans the entire human resources function and touches every part of the organisation, including David Jones and Country Road Group.
Melanie’s journey is both inspiring and impressive. Before joining Woolworths, she spent nearly 18 years at Edcon in various roles, from Group Industrial Relations Advisor to Head of Human Resources. Her experience there also saw her managing Group Corporate Affairs and spearheading transformative initiatives.
What sets Melanie apart is her passion for people and her commitment to creating workplaces where everyone can thrive. She holds a Master of Laws (LLM), which she uses to shape and guide HR practices that are both inclusive and effective.
Inspiring Positive Change Into The Future
As we look to the future, we see the incredible impact these women are making every day. It sparks hope, and determination, and gives us a renewed sense of purpose for the jobs we do every day.
Which women are you celebrating this month? Whether it’s a colleague who always goes the extra mile, a mentor who’s been your guiding light, or a leader whose vision drives progress, let them know they are cherished.
Give them a shout-out, so they know they are valued (and so we can celebrate them, too!)