Women’s Day, celebrated on 9 August, is a reminder of the ongoing journey toward gender equality. It seeks to eliminate the root causes of discrimination that still curtail women’s rights in both private and public spheres. Bühler Johannesburg proudly commemorates this day by spotlighting two exceptional women in its employ. Their stories embody the spirit of Women’s Day, showcasing resilience, dedication, and a commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive workplace.
Angelique Visagie: Health and Safety Manager
Angelique leads the Health and Safety team at Bühler Johannesburg and oversees the Cape Town and Lusaka service stations. Her responsibilities include ensuring legal compliance with health and safety legislation and implementing safety measures to create a safe workplace. She leads a team of two women in the H&S department.
Angelique’s journey to health and safety was unconventional. She matriculated in 1996 and spent 15 years in finance before transitioning to this field. She completed her Samtrac in 2010, holds a National Diploma in Food Safety and is currently pursuing her Nebosh Diploma.
Angelique’s tenure at Bühler has been marked by significant growth and challenges. She initially faced a lack of established health and safety systems but successfully implemented a comprehensive legal framework. The COVID-19 pandemic presented additional challenges, but she emerged stronger and more resilient, continually evolving and improving her skills.
Angelique values Bühler’s commitment to diversity, allowing individuals to be themselves without judgment. She appreciates the inclusive environment that enables personal and professional growth. “I think we are all very privileged to work for Bühler as it is a very diverse company and allows everyone to be who they want to be. I have always felt I can just be myself and no one judges me.”
For Angelique, work-life balance is essential for overall well-being. She believes in the importance of balancing work and home life and making time for oneself to achieve daily success. She acknowledges the additional responsibilities women often bear and advocates for shared household responsibilities. “Women are expected to get a lot out of a normal working day, and that is why it is important to make time for yourself.”
Angelique is driven by caring for people. Knowing that her efforts contribute to the safety and well-being of her colleagues motivates her to face each day’s challenges with enthusiasm. “To go home every night knowing that everyone has completed the workday and returned safely to their families makes me passionate about the following day’s challenges.”
She advises young girls to follow their passion. “H&S is not always a women-friendly environment. However, I always say if you win the respect from your colleagues, you have already won the battle. Treat people like you want to be treated and the passion for your career will just come naturally.”
Angelique lives by a powerful mantra: “I am stronger because I had to be, I am smarter because of my mistakes, happier because of the sadness I have known, and now wiser because I learned.” This philosophy embodies the spirit of Women’s Day, reflecting resilience, growth, and empowerment.
Kwenza Mngomezulu: Health and Safety Officer
Kwenza’s multifaceted role encompasses compliance monitoring, conducting medicals, updating medical surveillance reports, and ensuring required training is up to date. She also oversees emergency drills, regular site inspections, safety meetings, and hazard identification.
In addition, Kwenza is responsible for accident and incident investigations, rectifying unsafe conditions, and conducting inductions for new employees, visitors, and contractors. Her dedication to safety extends to arranging hospital visits for employees in case of accidents.
Kwenza’s educational background is robust, with a matric certificate and several health and safety qualifications, such as a Course in the OHS Act, 1993 (NQF Level 5), Samtrac (Health Safety Environmental Management and Maintenance System NQF Level 5), Nosa System Auditing (NQF Level 5), Certificates in Legal Liability, Root Cause Analysis, Incident Investigation and First Aid Level 3, and ISO 45001:2018 & 14001:2015 (Introduction).
Having been with Bühler for two years, Kwenza has gained substantial knowledge about the business and its products, beyond her health and safety duties. The company has also supported her continued education, ensuring personal and professional growth.
She praises Bühler’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, stressing the company’s efforts to eliminate unjustified discrimination in recruitment and ensure equal treatment and respect for all individuals. For Kwenza, work-life balance is crucial as it promotes mental health, sustains relationships, and enhances productivity both at work and in private life.
“Establish some boundaries on your work and your private life. Prioritise and manage your time well by focusing on what is urgent and important. Be flexible to change your schedule when necessary. Learn to delegate, as it relieves some of the load from your shoulders by identifying tasks that others can assist you with. Most importantly, set realistic expectations for yourself.”
Kwenza’s passion for her job stems from her love for the field of health and safety and her comfort in working with people. “I chose a career I love. I am comfortable working with people and am always willing to listen and assist. I do not mind repeating myself until I am understood,” she adds.
Kwenza encourages young girls to pursue careers in health and safety, stressing the importance of passion in career choices to avoid frustration and stress. “Health and safety is a good career path as all employers are required to comply with stringent health and safety regulations, depending on the industry.”
Women’s Day for Kwenza is a symbol of the fight for equal rights. Her vision is for companies to fund women to start their businesses or even to provide support programmes, so women are empowered to be pillars of the economy and their communities.
