Recently appointed as CHRO at Cricket South Africa, Devni Naidoo Ferdi reflects on how her passion for HR evolved from an unexpected start into a fulfilling and dynamic career.
Was a career in HR your first choice?
My career in HR wasn’t initially my first choice, but it quickly became a passionate focus. My educational background in industrial psychology and organisational development laid a strong foundation, and as I progressed through various roles in multinational firms, I discovered that HR perfectly aligned with my interests in driving organisational excellence and fostering inclusive work cultures. The dynamic and strategic nature of HR, particularly in diverse and global contexts, captivated me and became a central part of my professional journey.
What attracted you to the role of HR executive for Cricket South Africa?
First, Cricket South Africa presents a unique and vibrant environment where HR can have a substantial impact on both the organisation and the sport itself. The opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of a national sport and its associated talent is particularly exciting.
My passion for driving organisational excellence and fostering a culture of inclusion aligns perfectly with Cricket South Africa’s objectives. The organisation’s vision is to empower every individual with an interest in cricket to fully explore and express their talent, passion and love for the game, making cricket appealing to everyone. I deeply resonate with CSA’s mission and its core pillars of excellence, accessibility and inclusiveness in a globally competitive sport.
The role offers a chance to leverage my extensive HR experience to support the strategic direction of the organisation, manage change initiatives and enhance employee engagement within a dynamic and high-profile context.
Moreover, the role involves working with a diverse range of stakeholders, from athletes and coaches to administrative staff and sponsors. This aligns with my background in managing HR across diverse sectors and regions. The chance to influence and shape a high-performance culture in such a significant and visible organisation is both challenging and inspiring.
What will your new responsibilities be as CHRO?
Stepping into my new role as CHRO feels like embarking on an exciting adventure , navigating through uncharted waters. I'll be leading the charge in talent management, ensuring we attract and nurture the best and brightest, including emergent talent.
Governance, risk, and compliance, through the various committees and board, will make sure we stay on course. I’ll be championing inclusion, diversity, and equity, weaving these principles into every aspect of our HR practices and organisational processes, so they become the very fabric of our culture. But the adventure doesn't stop there.
I’ll be the trusted advisor to our executive team, providing insights and guidance on all things HR-related. Building and nurturing strategic partnerships will be another key part of my role, enhancing our connections with stakeholders ranging from cricket players and fans to international markets like the ICC, sponsors, partners, communities and government entities.
As I navigate this role, I’ll focus on boosting employee engagement and development, ensuring every employee is motivated and well-prepared to contribute to our collective success. Together, we’ll bat through challenges and seize every opportunity to score big, driving CSA on to new victories.
In your view, what does the future of HR look like?
At the core lies the creation of a people-centric culture and environment. This is achieved through high-quality leadership, meaningful work and a culture that encourages innovation and embraces failure for the learning that it brings.
The future of HR is poised to be increasingly strategic and data-driven. HR will continue to evolve as a key driver of organisational success by leveraging technology and data analytics to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency. There will be a greater emphasis on employee experience, with a focus on personalisation and adaptability in HR practices.
Inclusion and diversity will remain central, with HR playing a critical role in addressing systemic challenges and fostering a culture of belonging.
Who is Devni at home?
At home, I strive to be a supportive and engaged wife, daughter, sister, aunt and stepmother, and I place a high value on balancing my professional and personal life. I am actively involved in various causes; I support Breast Cancer Awareness and child-centred charities. I am also passionate about women’s empowerment and committed to advancing women in business. I am especially enthusiastic about addressing Black Day ODI in support of ending gender-based violence, and the Pink ODI in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.
My dedication to these causes reflects my broader values and my desire to make a positive impact in both my personal life and my workplace.
