In celebration of Women’s Month, Graceland Hotel, Casino and Country Club honours their HR manager, Roxanne Zulu.
Q. What type of leader do you see yourself as?
A: “Transformational and pacesetter. I am very open to change in the workplace. This comes as our industry and environment change a lot. I am up for challenges. I am also very helpful and motivational in the workplace.”
Q: What is your day-to-day role as HR Manager?
A: “I do HR administration, recruitment, payroll, staff wellness and transformation.”
Q: Why a career in HR in the hospitality and entertainment industry?
A: “Initially, I was in the corporate and manufacturing industry. An opportunity came my way to join the Peermont group seven years ago at Emperors Palace as an HR consultant. I have always been in human resources; it was the industry that changed.
“The hospitality industry chose me. Manufacturing and hospitality are different, but I must say that the HR management team at Peermont helped me adjust to this industry. I have had other opportunities, but the hospitality and entertainment industry are great. You meet so many more people, different diversities and cultures and get to know where your staff come from.”
Q: What has been the most significant part of your career?
A: “At Graceland, for me would be being a female manager in a senior position. You are treated equally among all other management. Every manager’s path is different, however, each one is accepted for their role. We are a team that helps each other, even if it is not your department. There is no saying “It is not my job”.”
Q: Have you been in a leadership position where you were treated differently being a woman?
A: “Fortunately, not. At Emperors I was under women’s management. I have never not been given a position because I am a woman. Peermont always looks at your capabilities and not being a woman or a man.
Q: Have you ever been discouraged that you wanted to quit?
A: “Not at Graceland. At Emperors yes, but it was because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The retrenchments were extremely hard. As a woman, knowing that the men, who were breadwinners, and the mothers who were sole providers, had to lose their work was heartbreaking.
“There were days I wanted to leave, not because of the businesses, but because this was the first time Peermont ever had to retrench its employees. People who have worked for the group for many years lost their jobs. This was the only time I felt discouraged.”
Q: How would you encourage women not to give up?
A: “I don’t have sisters, but I have met many woman friends and colleagues. Asking how one’s day was or what they did on weekends, taking an interest in what they currently experiencing, or just a chat, is the support and encouragement we give each other.
“Celebrating the good things and thanking people for a job well done and their involvement is all it takes. It is the small things that make a difference for us. We have Peermont values both for women and men. We all pull together in times of hardship or emergencies because this is a business, and everyone knows what is at stake.
Q: What do you think would be the biggest issue women in business or a career still face today?
A: “A lot of people still think that women in management cannot give the time and quality of work that a man can give in a management position. However, women have proven that even with having children and being a wife, we can still achieve what we as women want to achieve.
“Look at the engineering industry, History had it as a male-dominated industry, but there has been a big shift where women are being recognised for their potential and not being just a woman.”
Q: Is gender equality important to you and why?
A: “Women have lived in silence over the years. We were told this is your role, this is what you must do, to stay home and clean the house. Equality is important. Both my husband and I work full-time, but the roles we play at home are equal.
Q: Your family life and balancing a career.
A: “My husband and I have been together for 15 years. We have a 13-year-old daughter together. We have a great balance of responsibilities at home. What I have learned is, that there is time for work, but it is also important to make time for yourself and your family. I am fortunate that I have an understanding and very supportive husband.
Q: An inspirational last word for women.
A: “Women should uplift and listen more to other women. You never know what that person is going through at that moment, and a simple smile, hello or even a hug, can be what that person needs, at that time to uplift them.”
