From a Clerk to a Dry Stores Controller
Nobantu Dladla shares her McCain journey
After 35 years serving at McCain South Africa, Nobantu Dladla is able to mix business with pleasure as she seeks to do what she’s passionate about while serving communities through volunteer work.
With a passion for giving, sharing and taking care of the less fortunate, Nobantu’s loving nature has seen her become the driving force behind the Springs factory volunteering project at Tholakele Place of Hope in Kwa-Thema.
Her career at the food giant started at humble beginnings when she was employed as a clerk, but she progressively advanced to become a Dry Stores Controller. Nobantu says serving in her current position was a longstanding career aspiration, “McCain is a global company that is well known for its corporate social responsibilities. I aspired to serve this company in the position that I am today.”
Nobantu says her journey saw her climbing the ladder – from excelling in one position to being promoted to another. She has received numerous accolades such as employee of the month, the rising star and the supervisor of the year. Nobantu says one year, her department’s stock integrity was rated the highest, at 99%.
Not only is Nobuntu a well-rounded employee, but through McCain, she also serves the community, which she says helps alleviate poverty, hunger, homelessness. At the same time, it can improve community life by promoting honesty, friendliness and trust among residents. McCain, she says, participates in many corporate social responsibilities, such as giving bursaries to children of its employees, absorbing new graduates and allowing them to gain job experience. Furthermore, the company also donates food to orphans and elderly people. It is also involved in many corporate social responsibilities aimed at uplifting all South Africans’ lives.
When asked where her passion for community involvement began, Nobantu shares, “Honestly speaking, this is how I was born; giving, sharing and taking care is in my blood and veins. I don’t even expect a return in what I do. People who know me are no longer calling me by my name; they call me Mother Teresa.”
Nobantu’s inherent passion for community upliftment has been further highlighted by Pumeza Nkala, Plant Manager at McCain’s Springs food processing plant, who shares, “I love working with Nobantu on CSI projects, whether it be orphanages, schools or old age homes. I always single her out to lead these because of her passion for the less privileged. She understands giving at a high level – that we don’t give because we expect anything in return but because it is our God given calling/ responsibility to help the less fortunate. An opportunity to give is an honor and a privilege, and this Nobantu understands.”
Looking back on all the initiatives she’s been involved in, Nobantu shares her highlight as being,”My greatest memory is when one of the orphans – that was part of the kids I was visiting – completed matric with distinctions. She proceeded to university and graduated. Upon her graduation, she was absorbed by one of the biggest organisations in the country, and now she is sitting on the company board.”
She concludes that McCain’s volunteering projects have added value to the lives of people and the company’s image and brand as one of the best employers in the country and globally.