A: I lead Coca-Cola South Africa’s public affairs portfolio. I focus on external stakeholder engagement, including managing the overall sustainability framework which includes a focus on women, water and wellbeing.
BFP: What is the best part about your job/project?
A: I love that Coca-Cola is committed to and invested in being part of the solution to South Africa’s socio-economic challenges – the fact that my job plays a role in making a positive impact in the communities where we operate is the best part of it!
BFP: What has been your greatest challenge?
A: Working with stakeholders across various sectors – we have common goals but very different points of view and approaches to addressing issues.
BFP: How have you overcome these challenges?
A: This challenge is actually what creates strength in partnering to address issues – although we have to work towards alignment, the process ensures that we reach a robust, multi-dimensional way of solving a problem. My advice: embrace conflict – it’s not necessarily a negative thing.
BFP: If someone wants to do what you do – where do they start?
A: You need to be someone who can engage and remain relevant – in a company boardroom all the way up to communities who are facing difficulties that cannot always be reduced to a PowerPoint presentation.
BFP: Finally, What do you hope to get out of being part of the BFP community?
A: Connecting with people who are committed to making the world a better place for everyone, including the generations coming after us.
Thank you to Asyia Sheik Ojwang for taking the time to do this interview.
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