Office professionals add a vast array of skills to any business which complements the day-to-day operation and management of the organization. Initiated in 1982, the South African National Office Professional of the Year Award is bestowed on office professionals who have set the standard for performing excellently in their respective organisations.
Nominations are open to individuals who display a keenness to excel in their roles as office professionals; are legally resident in South Africa and have a minimum of five consecutive years in administrative roles.
Finalists and the winner are required to promote the Association of Office Professionals of South Africa through public and motivational speaking engagements as well as regularly writing for publications.
Hannah Kirkwood (36), an executive secretary in the City of Johannesburg’s Transport Department, who hails from Eldorado Park, flew the flag high when she was nominated for and won the 2016 South African National Office Professional of the Year award.
Kirkwood pipped 15 semi-finalists to the post and said, “People always say your past doesn’t determine your future. I beg to differ. I come from a family of nine sisters and three brothers. My dad instilled a love for education and mom, who ran a house shop for years, taught me the value of hard work.”
Kirkwood was quick to dispel the notion that public servants are lazy and added, “People think we’re a bunch of palookas who don’t know what we’re doing. And there I was, ‘Plain Jane’ from the City of Johannesburg competing with other ladies from prestigious companies and who hold senior positions.”
Crediting her deceased mother for her strong work ethic, she said, “She used to wake up at 4am to make fat cakes and mince every day. So my past has played a huge role in the person I am now.”
Brendan Petersen, Director of Finance in the department, heaped further praise on Kirkwood’s achievement, saying, “Thank you, Hannah, for putting us on the map. You are a true gem and I’ve made peace with the fact that I might lose you as you reach for bigger and better things.”
