1. Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to where you are today?
I have an analytical mind and an interest in science, which led to my studying a master’s in science. I started in Industrial Gases and always thrived in industrial and complex technical environments. I progressed through leadership positions across waste management, manufacturing, chemicals, and facilities management.
What has guided me throughout is a focus on driving growth while creating positive impact, whether that’s improving operational efficiency, empowering teams, or advancing sustainability initiatives. Along the way, I’ve embraced opportunities that challenged me and learned from setbacks. Today, as Commercial Director at Interwaste Environmental Solutions, I lead a high-performing team to deliver strategic growth while championing environmental responsibility and innovation.
2. Tell us about the work you do and what it involves day to day.
Currently serving as the Commercial Director and Executive Board Member at Interwaste Environmental Solutions, I lead a dynamic commercial team of about 40 salespeople who are responsible for delivering robust business results in a highly competitive industry. My key deliverables are growing market share, optimising sales processes, and ensuring long-term client retention through solution-driven strategies.
We provide holistic integrated waste management solutions to our clients, adhering to their requirements, whether it’s treatment, landfill disposal, diversions from landfill, beneficiations, reuse, or recovery. We offer compliant, cost-effective waste handling, transport, and management solutions.
3. How long have you been in this industry, and how has it evolved during that time?
I have been in this industry for 10 years out of the past 20 years. South Africa’s waste management sector has shifted from a largely disposal-based system to a more structured, sustainable, and circular economy approach. Key drivers have been the introduction and updates of the National Waste Management Strategy (2011, updated 2020), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, and increased policy support for recycling and waste diversion.
The formal and informal recycling sectors have grown, with initiatives like the South African Plastics Pact and waste-to-energy projects emerging across the country. Technological innovations, such as digital tracking platforms and Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), have improved efficiency and accountability. Despite these advances, challenges remain in rural areas, informal settlements, and landfill compliance, highlighting the need for continued investment in infrastructure, workforce integration, and circular economy practices.
4. What inspired you to pursue this path?
I am a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability. I have a love for science and problem-solving, and I’ve spent over two decades building a career at the intersection of commercial leadership, environmental solutions, and sustainability. As a woman in South Africa’s waste management industry, I am proud to be part of a movement that not only protects our environment but also reshapes the future for generations to come. Only responsible waste management can make this happen. This sector, once seen as male-dominated, is rapidly evolving, and women are rising as leaders, innovators, and change-makers.
5. What does it take to thrive as a woman in your industry today?
Waste management in South Africa is transforming. It’s no longer just about collection and disposal; it’s about innovation, circular economy thinking, resource recovery, and sustainability. And as women, we bring unique strengths to this evolution: collaboration, strategic thinking, empathy, and resilience. We solve complex challenges, drive innovation in recycling and resource recovery, and create cleaner, healthier communities.
Our work has purpose, impact, and incredible growth potential. Being in Waste management is more than just a job; it’s a calling to build a sustainable future. If you’re passionate about sustainability, if you want to drive impact while building a career with purpose, this is an industry where you can thrive. Let’s break barriers, defy stereotypes, and make our mark not just as women in waste but as pioneers of environmental transformation in South Africa.
6. What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge in my career has been stepping into roles that required a leap in responsibility and influence, particularly when I moved from a regional sales manager to a sales director role. It wasn’t just about managing larger teams or higher revenue targets, where peers were now direct reports; it was about mastering strategic thinking, navigating complex stakeholder landscapes, and driving operational efficiency while maintaining purpose-driven goals and building trust and confidence in managing your peers. Learning to balance business growth, team dynamics pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it ultimately strengthened my leadership and decision-making capabilities.
7. What advice would you give to other women looking to succeed in your field?
When I started in this field, there were very few women around the table. But that’s changing, and it needs to change faster. We need more women to bring their voices, their leadership, and their ideas into this space. Because this isn’t just about waste, it’s about people, planet, and purpose. And in this space, I have gained friends, mentors, a valuable network, and I have both given and earned the respect of amazing women.
To any woman listening today who’s considering joining this industry, I say: this is your moment. The waste and environmental sector needs bold thinkers. It needs solution-driven leaders. It needs you. I’ve seen firsthand how women in waste can lead teams, transform businesses, and influence national sustainability agendas. It’s not always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding.
Whether it’s a single mom working as a waste sorter to put food on the table and her kids through school, or a truck driver, landfill site supervisor, effluent treatment plant manager, General manager, or CFO, we define the narrative. These are positions held by women at Interwaste. Let’s create a future where more women don’t just work in waste management, they lead it.
Join us. Lead with us. The future is green, and it needs women like you.
8. Who are the people in your industry who inspire you most, and why?
Professor Linda Godfrey – She is an Environmental scientist, advisor to the South African government, and Research Group Leader at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), focusing on waste management and the circular economy. She also leads South Africa’s Waste RDI (Research, Development and Innovation) Roadmap, which shapes the entire national strategy for waste and resource management. She’s at the cutting edge of policy, research, and innovation in waste and circular economy.
9. What’s the best piece of advice or wisdom you’ve received from industry peers?
The importance of Informal Sector Integration: While informal waste pickers play a crucial role in recycling, they often lack formal recognition and support. Informal waste pickers already recover a significant portion of recyclable materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Recognizing their role increases efficiency in achieving national recycling and circular economy goals.
Many waste pickers rely on this work for survival but lack stable income, healthcare, and social protections. Formal integration provides dignity, fair pay, and access to benefits. Formal collaboration allows municipalities and private companies to streamline waste collection, improve sorting, and reduce contamination in recyclables.
South Africa’s National Waste Management Strategy emphasizes inclusion and formalization of all actors in the waste value chain. Integrating pickers aligns operations with these legal and sustainability frameworks.
10. How would you describe your leadership style and approach to working with others?
I am a people-centric leader who believes that success is achieved through collaboration, mentorship, and inclusive leadership. I believe that defining what the common goal as well as the strategy is helps guide and steer the efforts of the team.
11. Have you experienced any setbacks or failures in your journey? What did you take away from those experiences?
Sometimes, you realise that a company or industry isn’t aligned with your career progression or long-term goals. Early in my career, I took an opportunity that seemed attractive at the time, only to discover that the culture, growth trajectory, or strategic direction didn’t fully match my aspirations. While these experiences were setbacks in the short term, they taught me the importance of evaluating alignment between my skills, values, and ambitions before committing. This awareness has since guided my career decisions, helping me pursue roles where I can make a meaningful impact and continue to grow.
12. Looking ahead, what are your goals or plans for the future, personally or professionally?
I love what I do and the company I work for. My focus is on continuing to drive meaningful impact in the environmental and waste management sectors while also mentoring and empowering the next generation of leaders. Professionally, I aim to increase my network and aim to expand innovative, sustainable solution development that combines operational efficiency with social and environmental responsibility to benefit clients and business.
I want to continue investing in lifelong learning, whether through targeted executive programs, exploring emerging technologies in waste and water management, or deepening my understanding of global best practices. Ultimately, my goal is to leave a legacy of positive change, helping businesses, communities, and the environment thrive in a sustainable and inclusive way.
Short bio:
Shoba Govender is an accomplished commercial leader with over 20 years of executive-level experience in South Africa’s waste management, packaging, and industrial sectors. Currently serving as the Commercial Director at Interwaste Holdings, part of the Séché Environnement Group, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s commercial strategy, overseeing national accounts, and delivering profitable growth across its portfolio of environmental solutions.
Shoba holds a Master of Science in Microbiology and a BSc Honours (Cum Laude) from the University of Durban-Westville, as well as a certificate in Strategic Management from Rhodes University. Her academic background has informed a strong analytical approach to decision-making, while her industry experience has honed her skills in solution selling, profitability improvement, and remote team leadership.
