Zanele Sithole is a Machine Specialist at Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) in Bloemfontein. She is a qualified Millwright with a wireman’s license and she has an Electrical Engineering N6 qualification.
In her position at CCBSA, Zanele provides electrical support for Machine Specialists on the line for both the Tannery and Gutsche plants. What she loves most about her job is the fact that every day brings new and different challenges, “Every day is an opportunity for growth”.
On how she juggles business and family successfully, Zanele says she is fortunate enough to have incredibly supportive parents who always help her out with her five-year-old son, Luyanda, “so that I get to focus on work much easier”. In her free time, she enjoys staying indoors watching a good movie or reading a good book.
The best decision she has made thus far is choosing a career in Engineering. “It has proven to be quite good to me. I don’t think I would be where I am had I chosen another path.” She does however regret deciding to turn down a job off er in the early stages of her career simply because it was too far from home.
Zanele’s advice on how to survive a pandemic is quite simple: “Take care of your mental health – the global pandemic has proven to be very heavy on many people’s mental health. Surround yourself with positive content and people.” Furthermore, she advises young female artisans to work hard and to continue to develop themselves and, most importantly, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it”.
To deal with the pressures of being in the spotlight, Zanele says she always keeps her head up and does the best she can in everything life throws at her.
www.ccbsaco.com
www.linkedin.com/company/coca-cola-beverages-south-africa-ccbsa/
