Connecting Africa’s Skilled Professionals
ReConnect Africa is a unique website and online magazine for the African professional in the Diaspora. Packed with
essential information about careers, business and jobs, ReConnect Africa keeps you connected to the best of Africa.
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In May 2006 we launched ReConnect Africa.com as the ‘go to’ place for professionals of African origin overseas
Matimba Mbungela
I was educated at....
....two primary schools in Rolle Village in Bushbuckridge, then went to Kheto Nxumayo High School in Giyane. My junior degree was at the University of Venda and Post-graduate Diploma at the University of Cape Town. I then completed my MBA at the University of Natal.
My first job was....
....I always find it interesting when I have to answer this question, because in my mind my first job was at a very early age when I was a child. My first formal job was a Clerk in the Personnel Department of the Government Service in the then Gazankulu government (a homeland created by the apartheid government to entrench segregation) to fulfil my bursary obligations for funding my final two years of my junior degree. As a child, we sold alcohol at home to help supplement my mother's income - a really interesting experience of being an "employee". Of course, this was over and above herding goats, which was a compulsory chore after school.
What I do now is....
....I'm an HR Executive working for Vodafone based in the UK (London) and I'm responsible for organisational effectiveness and change in the emerging markets region which covers Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific. We are responsible for helping the business drive large change projects, which includes designing a new organisation, restructuring and also ensuring that the business is cost efficient.
Matimba Mbungela is an exceptionally talented, passionate, experienced and well rounded HR practitioner with extensive emerging markets experience across Africa, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Now based in the UK, Matimba was born and educated in South Africa where he completed a B Admin degree with 3 distinctions. Following a post-graduate diploma in Human Resources, Matimba completed an MBA degree at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Starting as a Human Resources Officer, Matimba progressed as an HR Operations Officer, working with companies such as Unilever SA and BMW South Africa. In 2003 he joined the Vodacom Group as Executive Head of Group HR and then moving on to take up the Group Executive Learning and Development role.
Following a period as Regional Head of Talent for Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, Matimba heads the company's Organisation Effectiveness and Change for the region.
A former Board & Remuneration Committee member for the ISSET Seta and Non-Executive Director for Vodacom Mozambique, Matimba is a passionate advocate of mentoring and sharing knowledge with others.
What I learned along the way is....
....to stay focused on my goals, use the networks that one develops along the way and continue to stay connected - because you never know what the future holds. I also learnt not to underestimate what I have learnt and to use opportunities presented to me wisely.
My greatest influence has been....
....my Mom, who as a widower managed to raise three boys - two of whom were the first university graduates in our village. She is a very strong woman who had a clear vision of ensuring that her family got the best possible opportunities despite living in a rural disadvantaged community with no running water, electricity or amenities during apartheid South Africa. I learnt from her the significance of developing a vision and the power of relentless execution.
The best advice I ever received is....
....advice that came from my mom, which is to always remember one's humble beginnings and to stay grounded, irrespective of how successful one can be. The second best advice came from my first mentor, when I was given my first leadership role, which was to always be curious and to ask questions.
My top tips for succeeding in my career area are....
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