CEO Today Africa Awards 2024 - 63 - - SOUTH AFRICA - This is how the subscription offering came about, which the market received very well, despite the restrictions that were imposed on movement. We saw about 5000 vehicles back on the road in July and a year later, in 2021, we managed to bring back staff that were laid off during the peak of the pandemic. Before the pandemic, our business was predominantly airport and tourism based. Now, over 50% of our business is contractual and diversified away from tourism or airports. This period tested my character and resilience, and I am grateful for the team that I work with because they really stepped up and made some hard sacrifices to save our business. What is your vision for the future of ZEDA? ZEDA’s vision is to become a trusted mobility solutions provider that is leading in the chosen markets. Its aspiration is to deepen stronger penetration of a usership economy, especially amongst the youth. Many people today just want to get from point A to B without a hassle and we believe that we can capture this market with this product offering. Deloitte’s 2022 Global Automotive Consumer Study shows that 29% of consumers plan to convert to usership models for their next vehicle. ZEDA’s aspiration is to drive this conversion in the Southern Africa market. We want to continue inspiring better journeys through tailor-made solutions that address every mobility need. Is there a part of your roles that you consider to be especially interesting? It is really looking at the traditional business of car rental and leasing, and visualising what mobility can do to all sectors of the economy if it is easily accessible and reliable. Being entrusted with the responsibility of leading an organisation that is full of agility and is the catalyst to connecting humanity through integrated mobility. The mobility trajectory will not be the same, after we execute on our bold ambition. What does this award mean to you? It is the epitome of the hard work that goes into ensuring that our organisation thrives. It is a validation that I have an incredible team that walks side-by-side with me on this journey of taking the business on an upward trajectory. It will be a testament that where there is a will, drive and strong team, nothing is impossible. ZEDA has risen from what many could have written off, to be a force to be reckoned with, in the Southern Africa economy landscape. Other accolades include: • 2022 Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa (ABASA) Private Sector CEO of the Year; • 2017 CFO SA Public Sector CFO of the year; • 2016 African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA) Public Sector CFO of the year; • 2016 Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (ABSIP) CFO of the year. What is it that motivates you to achieve success in your work? What motivates me is the knowledge that our hard work of ensuring that we connect humanity by bringing the market reliable, safe and convenient mobility makes a positive contribution. Through our mobility offerings, businesses can meet their operational needs. We aid service delivery in local communities, and enable connections between family and friends. “ZEDA’s strong track record of over five decades rests on its resilience and commitment to service excellence.”
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