Women In Marketing 2024 Edition ft. Lesego Matjila from CSIR

Our latest Women In Marketing segment features Lesego Matjila, a Communications Practitioner at CSIR. Lesego’s journey into communications was serendipitous; she discovered her passion for the field after exploring a university leaflet. Beyond her professional life, Lesego is a food enthusiast and runs her own catering business. She believes a hybrid work model is the ideal setup, balancing flexibility and productivity.

Personal Background:

Thanks for taking the time to participate in our ‘Women In Marketing’ feature. Where were you born, and what childhood memories stand out for you?

I was born and raised in Ga-Rankuwa, a township on the northwestern side of Pretoria. My childhood was fun-filled. We had many playmates and did many fun activities – playing indigenous games, wild berry hunting, house, etc. My most memorable activity was riding in a makeshift pull cart with my brother as a driver.

Describe your high school and college years. You were the coolest one, right?

I was a nerdy student – I was curious about the world and always had many questions. I don’t know about being cool 😂 but something about me made me very memorable. I still meet many classmates who remember me by name and surname to this day.

What’s your favourite meal that you wouldn’t share with anyone?

An Asian veg and lamb stir fry. I gladly finish my plate and help my husband with his 😊

What would be your plans for a sudden $10 million windfall if you were to receive it tomorrow?

I would go on holiday in Japan or Thailand to learn their cooking techniques and then open a restaurant that will feed into a homeless feeding project. I believe hunger is one of the world’s greatest agonies – doing my bit to alleviate it fulfils me. 

Can you share an interesting fact or hidden talent not found on your LinkedIn profile? Previous Women in Marketing candidate Anastasia Hamel says that she can breathe fire!

I certainly can’t breathe fire haha…I’m a great cook and very passionate about food. As early as age 10, I could turn the most boring food into a fine meal. Give me anything in the kitchen, and I will work my magic. I own a catering business, Cgo Delights, through which I express my creativity.

Career and Work:

How do you typically start your day, and are you #TeamCoffee, #TeamTea, or both?

I am #TeamTea. I start my day with a cup of Earl Grey/Six Orchids Ceylon. I usually block out my day between 8:00 and 10:00 so I can start with tasks that require the most attention such as report writing or articles. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in marketing? Didn’t the “I want to become a doctor” bug bite you?

When I finished high school, I was unsure about my career path. However, my dad, who worked at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), influenced my decision. He provided me with information brochures, and after reading about Communication Studies, I realised that it perfectly combined my passion for language and creativity. This is how I decided to pursue a career in communication.

Many industries had to create systems overnight that would enable their respective workforces to work from home due to the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. What’s your perspective on remote and hybrid work, and how have you dealt with its challenges? Do you have a preference?

The rise of remote and hybrid work has opened up numerous opportunities for marketing and communications professionals across borders. Given South Africa’s high unemployment rate, people can leverage their skills to earn a living online. While I am most productive working from home, I still value human interaction and enjoy collaborating with teams. Therefore, my preferred work model is hybrid.

AI is the hot topic of the day, most specifically, generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. How do you address the challenges you face in your day-to-day responsibilities? Any specific tools you’d like to plug us with? 

One of my biggest challenges is producing content with a quick turnaround. My hack is to run everything through Grammarly to edit my work and rephrase some sentences before submitting.

According to the WEF, the pandemic caused a 4.2% reduction in women’s employment compared to 3% of men (from 2019 to 2020). How can organisations better support women and mothers, especially in light of the pandemic’s impact on women in the workplace?

I am probably opening a can of worms here, but I was personally affected by job loss during the pandemic. It did not just result in a temporary loss of income – I had to catch up with my male counterparts on the remuneration scale. I believe the gender pay gap has widened since the pandemic. Organisations need to apply equity versus equality meaning that women need to be given more resources and opportunities than men to narrow or close the employment and income gaps. 

2024 and Beyond:

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell a younger Lesego to live to her heart’s content. I was overly cautious growing up, and that resulted in missed opportunities. However, I am liberated now and ready to step up to challenges. Doing this interview is a good example of something I wouldn’t have typically done. 

Who are some of your sheroes?

I have so many but top of my list is Momentum’s CMO, Nontokozo Madonsela, whose work is impeccable and Amanda Dambuza, whose life story is inspirational.

What are you currently reading, and how do you consume your content?

I am reading Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. It’s an interesting read that challenges my thoughts about science, nature and religious teachings. I am an old soul so I still read paperbacks 😂

What are you currently streaming that you’d recommend?

Oh boy! It has been months since I last streamed anything. Maybe it’s because I haven’t had much time for that lately. However, I enjoy African storytelling series and travel documentaries incorporating nature, food and habitats.

You wake up one day, and before you know it, you are nearing retirement. What would you like your professional legacy to be? Furthermore, what do your colleagues and superiors admire about you the most?

I want to leave a footprint of imparting knowledge to others. My colleagues admire my ability to make everyone feel valued. This often comes through when we host events as I remember all our guests by name. 

We are always looking for amazing Women In Marketing to profile. Who would you like us to get in touch with? 

My colleagues Kelebohile Sedieane and Constance Mokhoantle and my former colleague and friend Sharon Mukwevho. 

Share a unique message for young professionals in the marketing industry.

If you want to succeed as a marketer, you should be willing to often do the not-so-glamorous work and perceive every challenge as an opportunity to learn. 

Thank you for your time, Lesego. We hope this interview will inspire future leaders and other Women in Marketing. How can people follow you and your company on social media? 

I am Lesego Matjila on LinkedIn and Facebook.

My Instagram handle is @cgo_delights.

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