Danone Southern Africa appoints two new female directors to its board. The company strengthens gender equity and leadership.
About Danone Southern Africa
Danone SA, established in 1919, is a well-known dairy producer and manufacturer of nutritional products, offering a wide range of fresh dairy items across Southern Africa. In addition to dairy, the company provides bottled water, early-life nutrition, and medical nutrition products. In April 2017, Danone expanded its portfolio by acquiring WhiteWave, which introduced a line of plant-based products and beverages. This new range includes natural and flavored drinks made from soy, almonds, coconuts, rice, and oats, as well as plant-based alternatives to yogurt and cooking creams. Through this acquisition, Danone aims to develop and promote the plant-based category on a global scale.
Danone on Women’s Empowerment this Women’s Month
The company is creating strong roles in its space for women in leadership. Danone South Africa consistently aligns with the Employment Equity Act, actively promoting equal opportunities and fair treatment at all levels. Moreover, the company actively fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued. As part of Danone’s Employee Value Proposition, employees can shape their career paths with ongoing development and training resources. These include mentorship programs, leadership workshops, and access to online learning platforms, all aimed at helping employees grow. Furthermore, Danone regularly reviews its employment practices to ensure they remain inclusive and supportive, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Hercules Duvenage, HR director at Danone Southern Africa said, “As part of our impact journey, we are dedicated to fostering equality and creating growth opportunities, with a firm commitment to achieving gender balance in management, globally by 2030.” He further said, “In fact, research indicates progress for women in senior management roles, in South Africa specifically, has been good, with a 9% increase in the number of female CEOs in 2024, rising from 30% to 39%. Within Danone Southern Africa, women now occupy 59% of leadership roles, which places us well within our goal of ensuring a far stronger focus on gender equity by 2030.”
Nosiseko Biko
Nosiseko Biko has been promoted to Cycles & Procurement Director for Sub-Saharan Africa. She manages raw materials, packaging, milk procurement, and co-manufacturing.
“Having worked at Danone for 13 years, I have had a progressive career journey growing within the business, making my time here feel as fresh as if I joined the team yesterday. The diverse and exciting growth opportunities have kept me in a constant state of learning. This role marks an exciting chapter for me, as it allows me to collaborate with incredible people both locally and in Nigeria and Ghana, driving the growth of Danone in Africa,”
Jessica Munsami
Jessica Munsami is now the Quality and Food Safety Director. She oversees product excellence across sub-Saharan Africa.
“I am ecstatic about the opportunity to make a lasting change, investing in our people and growing our iconic brands. Being a part of a Sub-Saharan role is a great opportunity to drive growth and development in people, as well as learn new cultures that provide rich experiences. I look forward to making an impactful difference in elevating our Quality & Food Safety Culture so that it is lived by all in Danone..”
Danone South Africa is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. The company also ensures equal opportunities for all employees and empowers them to grow and succeed in their careers.
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