In a world where success is often measured by constant acceleration, Angela Munger, now head of HR for the Middle East & Africa Region at Centurion Systems, chose a different path – a long sabbatical.
Angela Munger, head of HR for the Middle East & Africa Region at Centurion Systems, set aside promotions, titles and a carefully plotted HR career to focus on what couldn’t be outsourced, automated or replaced – the precious, fleeting years with her children.
“I took 11 years off to raise children. I decided if you’re in the privileged position to stop work and live within your means, I believe you should, because you’ll never get that time back” she reflects. “It’s a bold decision because I had spent many years studying and carefully curating my career, only to step away at a time when technology was evolving rapidly. I don’t regret it. I would do it again, and I advise any working woman, if she can, to take that opportunity.”
This pause didn’t derail her career but enriched it because when she returned to work, she brought clarity about what truly matters in the workplace and life.
“Since leaving school, I’ve always been interested in humanity,” she says. “You spend so much time at work that it becomes important, as HR, to create environments where people are happy to come to work and find meaning. That’s always been at my core.”
Angela’s career began at Toyota SA Manufacturing in the training department in an entry-level clerical role. From there, she moved into HR with Romatex Floorcoverings, then Smith & Nephew, and has remained in the HR field, continually evolving and growing along the way.
Character is key
“Manufacturing is my passion. You get to wear many hats in HR – lawyer, counsellor, therapist, strategist, so no day is boring. It hasn’t always been easy, but those bumps are part of the process.”
Although manufacturing may be known as male-dominated, Angela views it as a masterclass in competence and professionalism. For her it’s about driving the people initiatives within the business and, above all, about how you show up as she believes character matters more than anything else.
When she got the opportunity to join Centurion Systems 14 years ago, the HR function was limited mainly to payroll administration, with other responsibilities outsourced to managers across the business. She saw the opportunity to centralise the function, introducing systems and practices to provide proper support. Over the years, she has built it into a fully established HR department, and today heads the regional HR function for the Middle East and Africa as part of a wider group.
Her influence stretches from Johannesburg to Dubai, Lagos and beyond, ensuring inclusivity and fairness are integrated into every process she designs.
“HR are really the curators and designers of inclusive culture. At the end of the day, whether you’re in the UAE, Nigeria or South Africa, employees want to feel they have a chance to succeed within the organisation. If you design fair processes, you can roll them out anywhere in the world.”
A holistic approach
Fairness, she says, is more than a principle and it must be operationalised. One initiative she is most proud of is introducing a grading system, pay scales and market benchmarks across the region.
“Many motivational models argue that salary alone doesn’t sustain long-term engagement factors like purpose, recognition, growth and autonomy. However, fair and transparent pay is a baseline need. If employees feel underpaid or treated unfairly, dissatisfaction grows regardless of other motivators.”
Angela applies the same structured thinking to employee wellness. She rejects outdated notions of separating personal issues from work, instead embracing a holistic approach.
“The leave your problems at home mindset doesn’t work. If employees are stressed financially, emotionally, or personally, it will inevitably affect their productivity. Rather than ignoring it, organisations should take a pragmatic approach and provide the necessary support.”
That support is delivered through a range of wellness initiatives, including access to professional counselling services, financial coaching, on-site fitness classes and tailored wellness incentives. “We treat employees as whole beings,” Angela explains. “The business supports them mentally, physically and emotionally. We’re not just going to let employees walk through the door, do their work and leave without ensuring they feel cared for and supported.”
Challenges inevitable
Employee retention, she believes, requires tailoring solutions to the needs of different generations. “It all begins with a well-crafted Employee Value Proposition that helps the business attract and retain diverse talent. We have different generations and they all want different things” Angela explains. “Alongside my HR studies, my marketing degree has been a great help.I treat employees like customer segments, because one size does not fit all”.
Challenges are inevitable, but Angela faces them with a mix of courage, self-awareness and the belief that leadership is about more than a technical skill.
“As a leader, you should always be brave. Take on new projects or ideas and surround yourself with like-minded people who can guide you. Believe in yourself, because nobody has all the answers. You’ll figure it out if you're smart enough and can access the right people for advice. And as you move into leadership, it’s not so much about acquiring new skills – it's about working on yourself. How you show up to your team and colleagues becomes more important than anything else.”
However, beyond her calm demeanour lies a surprising firmness. “People think I’m quiet,” she laughs. “Until I say we need to get something done and here’s why.” In her role, she recognises the need to draw a firm line when needed, and she approaches those moments with clinical precision when the situation demands it.
Outside work, she maintains balance through movement and time in nature. Cooking in the kitchen isn’t where she spends much of her time, she admits with a laugh, but gym and staying active is non-negotiable. More recently, she has taken up golf, appreciating both the challenge and the chance to be outdoors.
Angela’s reading list includes classics like Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, a book that has shaped her approach to personal growth. “Reading that book helps you become a better person and enhances self-awareness. It’s the kind of book you keep going back to.”
