Leah Sebekedi, the newly appointed Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) Manager at Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West, was always greatly encouraged in her studies and career by her father – with the proviso that, unlike him, she should avoid working in the mining industry.
Leah has fulfilled her father’s hopes although, ironically, it is in mining that she gained sufficient experience to have her appointment confirmed at one of South Africa’s most beautiful and prestigious wine farms.
Leah grew up in North West Province, matriculating from Sefutswelo High School in Madikwe, on the outskirts of Rustenburg. She considered studying medicine, but opted for an engineering course from the College of Cape Town. She soon attained her National Diploma in Safety Management, followed by a B. Tech. in Safety Management, both from the University of South Africa (UNISA).
She joined De Beers as a safety graduate in training – she had always avidly read the mining magazines and newsletters that her father brought home – and while gaining work experience at one of the largest diamond mines in the world, Voorspoed in Kroonstad, her manager suggested she prepare a presentation for the annual CEO summit.
“I was a bit sceptical, as I was just an intern, but I presented my story and got calls from two companies, De Beers Marine and Element Six. They liked my energy and the presentation. I chose De Beers Marine in Cape Town as I love this place.”
Leah was soon appointed Safety and Health Officer, responsible for providing safety knowledge and advice to all levels of management. She was then appointed SHE Systems Specialist at Kumba Iron Ore’s Kolomela mine in the Northern Cape, until she joined 322-year-old Vergelegen in July this year.
“This estate is a beautiful space that defines the word ‘sustainability’”, enthuses Leah. “It has been around a long time and I think my great great grandchildren will see these grape vines too. I don’t think there is any farm in the Western Cape that drives safety like this. It shows that management cares for its people.”
Vergelegen was also the best performing estate in the Stellenbosch regional section of the Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards in 2021, with staff in the administration, cellar, vineyards, horticultural and maintenance departments winning awards.
Vergelegen not only produces and exports wine, but is renowned for its restaurants and gardens. Ensuring a safe, healthy environment for staff and guests is an enormous responsibility, taking into account stringent South African, corporate and international standards and protocols.
Leah’s typical working day could start with inspections, checking that risk assessment has been undertaken and appropriate controls put in place to suit that day’s activities. One needs an eye for detail, whether it’s ensuring that a roof contractor wears a harness, or overseeing safety protocols for a gathering of several hundred VIPs.
Leah attributes her success to her positive attitude, that she welcomes feedback, and ongoing study to keep up with the latest developments in her field. She holds certificates in subjects ranging from auditing to legal intelligence, risk management and mentoring, and is currently studying for a postgraduate diploma in risk management through UNISA. She hopes to study for her masters and doctorate in business leadership.
As a wife and mother, she enjoys the flexibility of her current post and the balance it enables between work and personal responsibilities. Her spacious office, furnished with antiques, is a world away from the container office that she previously worked in at the mine.
What words of advice does Leah have for young women considering following in her footsteps? She answers that many do not realise that SHE is a 24-hour, hands-on job.
“You need to be a people’s person and understand where staff are coming from,” she says, recalling offering safety advice to a burly forklift driver who did not take kindly to feedback from a petite young woman. Leah says men generally dominate the SHE sector at safety officer level, where enforcement is key, but more female faces are appearing at administrative and managerial levels.
In her spare time, Leah loves dancing – her interests range from ballroom to energetic pantsula – and reading. She cites business leader Nolitha Fakude’s autobiography Boardroom Dancing as a key influence. She’s also proficient in English, Afrikaans and several Southern African languages, in addition to her home language of Setswana, and is studying French on a language app.
Fortunately for Vergelegen, Leah also loves dry red wine. “Maybe this was one of the pointers that got me hired.”
