1. Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Nozizwe Fakude. I am a mother to a beautiful sixteen-year-old girl who will be doing grade 11 this year. We moved from Johannesburg in 2018 and currently live in the City of Cape Town.
2. What do you do?
I am currently the head of consumer insights at DirectAxis. The portfolio involves the collection, understanding, and interpretation of data, behaviours, and feedback that customers provide. We use these to arrive at actionable conclusions that the business can use to improve product development as well as customer support and experience.
3. How long have you been in the industry?
Prior to joining DirectAxis, I worked in the telecoms industry where I gained experience in both mobile and fixed-line operations.
4. Has your work always been your passion? Tell us why?
I truly enjoy working in customer insights. I suppose my personality lends itself to the role it as I tend to ponder a lot. Curiosity is a vital element of the job. In my former job I was exposed to Lean Sigma, a method that relies on a collaborative team effort to improve performance by systematically removing waste. That was a big game-changer for me as the purpose of my work is continuous improvement.
5. Being a women in the industry – what does it take?
Over the years I have had the opportunity of working for a few female bosses with different styles and perspectives, but the common thread has always been hard work, dedication, focus, and empathy. I have tried to emulate some of these attributes in my own working life, but the most important factor remains having an unshakable belief in yourself.
6. What has been the most difficult challenge of your career?
My biggest challenge has been saying ‘yes’ to opportunities in different geographies. I was seconded to, then, Swaziland in 2012. My boss gave me a safety net by allowing me to try it for six months. I ended up extending my stay and it was one of the best moves in my career.
7. What advice do you have for other women in your industry?
My advice to other women, especially younger women, is to be eager to learn, remain curious, stay away from comparisons, find other women to connect with, and be open to feedback. It is also important to find a way to decompress – it is vital to recharge.
8. What are your plans for the future?
I work for an organisation that has a wide geographic footprint and offers many opportunities. I’ll see what the future holds.
