Christine is tasked with advancing the iconic printing company's transformation agenda.
Christine Masinga has joined Canon South Africa as the HR director. Formerly the managing executive of human resources at MMI, Christine has been tasked with ensuring that Canon’s HR department is well-equipped to support the company’s transformation goals, not to mention the challenges of doing so amid a global pandemic. She says she jumped at the chance to join a global brand that is widely relatable, and with a background in auditing, insurance and retail, she brings with her a wealth of human resources knowledge in high-performance environments.
“Like so many millions around the world, I grew up with Canon products in my household, and looking at how fast-moving and dynamic the digital imaging space is at the moment, it was a perfect opportunity to move out of my comfort zone and help Canon establish an industry-leading presence in Africa as it already has globally,” says Christine, adding that the leadership team’s focus is to build a bigger, better Canon in South Africa and across the continent as part of their Africa 500 project.
Christine’s appointment coincides with a significant boost to Canon’s B-BBEE rating from level 5 to level 3, which the company has achieved via a multi-pronged strategy including scenario planning, auditing and gap analysis as well as the setting up of initiatives around skills development and sustainable social projects that invest in South African talent both within and outside of the organisation.
Areas of particular focus in Canon’s transformation efforts include: Investing in skills development and learnership programmes within the organisation; heavily investing in the YES programme; a government initiative to create jobs for South African youth, investing in Enterprise and Supplier Development and small black-owned businesses; Analysing and aligning procurement processes to support black-owned businesses; and enhancing and promoting EE-favourable recruitment practices throughout the organisation.
Christine says that, as a global player operating in South Africa, responsible corporate citizenship is at the forefront of the Canon agenda, which driven by the knowledge that change can only promote positive growth for all.
“Even though we are now juggling the effects of Covid-19 as well, we are looking at this period of transformation as an opportunity to not only alleviate any anxieties but to further enrich the employee experience into the future.”
