August 2013
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
27
HERE ARE SOME
of the top achieving South
Africanwomen in Lafarge, who are providing
different perspectives on business issues and
contributing to more effective solutions.
Nonkqubela Noloyiso Mazwai
is a
respected advisor and board member of
many SouthAfrican blue chip companies and
About Lafarge
LOCATED IN 64 COUNTRIES
with 65 000
employees, Lafarge is the world-leader in
building materials, with top-ranking posi-
tions in its Cement, Aggregates and Concrete
businesses. In 2012, the Group posted sales
of €15,8-billion.
Lafarge places innovation at the heart of
its priorities, working for sustainable construc-
tion and architectural creativity to help build
better cities around theworld: more beautiful
cities that are better connected, have more
housing, and are more compact and durable.
Since 2010, the LafargeGrouphas beenpart of
the Dow Jones SustainabilityWorld Index, the
first global sustainabilitybenchmark, in recog-
nition of its sustainable development actions.
InSouthAfrica, the companymanufactures
and supplies cement, aggregates, readymixed
concrete, gypsum plasterboard and interior
building fittings. It focuses on providing solu-
tions to help the sustainable development of
better cities that benefit the country’s people.
Through having a strong presence in all of its
business lines, it is in a unique position to con-
tribute to urban construction, while also help-
ing to build better rural towns and villages.
Lafarge South Africa also demonstrates
active concern for the conservation of the
country’s wildlife heritage and is a major sup-
porter of theworld’s first dedicatedbaby rhino
orphanage in Limpopo Province. The Group
has for many years been a leader in sustain-
able development and was the first industrial
group to enter into aworldwide ‘Conservation
Partnership’ with the environmental protec-
tion organisation, WWF International.
Women, a key part of sustainable
development at Lafarge
Lafarge views the greater involvement of women in its global business
to be an important aspect of sustainable development. The Group
actively promotes their employment and offers motivating career paths.
is now serving her second termas
chairperson of the Lafarge Indus-
tries andMiningboards. She enjoys
working with the many different
people at Lafarge: from strategic
interactions with the companies’
stakeholders and boardmembers,
to informal meetingswith employ-
ees on all levels.
Dr Mikateko Shisana
is the
LafargeGroupoccupational health
vice-president, based in Paris.
She has also been appointed an
executive director of Lafarge In-
dustries South Africa and Lafarge
Mining South Africa. Shisana is
committed to seeing employees
healthier than when they joined
the company and helping theGroup
move towards zero occupational
injuries and illnesses.
Maria Sazeides,
Lafarge
South Africa’s national sales &
marketing manager – cement
says she is a strong believer in the
virtues of a positive outlook. In the
increasingly competitive world ev-
eryone has to learn to change direc-
tion at short notice or be left behind.
Nomveliso (‘Veli’) Gwamanda
worked for various multinational
corporations in South Africa before
joining Lafarge SouthAfrica as country
HR director. She is an executive direc-
tor on the boards of Lafarge Industries
South Africa and LafargeMining South
Africa, and a member of the Country
EXCO team. Gwamanda considers it
immensely rewarding to be able to
play a larger role in the development
of such a people-focused Group.
Sal Govender
is Lafarge South
Africa’s readymix national marketing
manager. Highly experienced, she
has a background predominantly
comprising diverse roles in marketing,
strategy and changemanagement, and
communications with well-known South
African brands. She says it is exciting to be
marketing the vital role of readymix concrete
in sustainable construction and, importantly,
developing sustainable mutually beneficial
partnerships with Lafarge customers.
Alta Theron
is the project manager driv-
ing Lafarge SouthAfrica’s business expansion
programme. She is also a member of the
Country EXCO team. The dynamic Theron
is dedicated to her job and thrives on the
opportunity to grow the business in today’s
competitive environment.
Charlene Lamb
is Lafarge South Africa’s
dynamic country communications manager
and a member of the country EXCO team.
Currently spearheading the repositioning of
the company’s brand in line with the inter-
national Group’s focused signature theme of
‘Building better cities’, she is a driven consum-
mate professional, who is passionate about
communications and people.
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cover story
August 2013
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
