As a new market entry into South Africa, Equinix offered Devashni Rajdave, HR country lead, a rare opportunity to build a people function from the ground up, one rooted in feedback, accountability and authentic leadership.
Devashni Rajdave, the HR country lead for Equinix, initially pursued a degree in education. However, she soon realised that the classroom environment did not align with her long-term aspirations.
Devashni then took a bold step to begin her HR journey, one that blends both academic growth and professional development. She entered the HR space and found her stride quickly. She excelled academically and was presented with an opportunity to re-enter the corporate world by joining a well-established FMCG company.
The decision came naturally, as she was already an admirer of the brand and saw it as an ideal launchpad for her career. Since then, Devashni has gained valuable experience across the FMCG, mining, consulting engineering and ICT sectors, giving her a well-rounded perspective and deep appreciation for the impact of HR across industries.
Equinix operates over 270 data centres across 36 countries on five continents, making it the largest global interconnection and colocation provider. Equinix has an established global footprint and recently entered the South African market. Devashni saw her role as an opportunity to give a unique spin on the people function from an African context, her personal stretch target.
“Equinix was a new entrant in the South African market. My role was to build and integrate the workforce with the broader Equinix global team, replicating a local workforce that not only aligns with our global standards but also reflects the richness and diversity of the South African context,” she explains.
Calling Equinix a start-up in South Africa is no exaggeration. When Devashni Rajdave joined the company, she was employee number five. It was a bold move, but one she embraced with confidence, drawing on her broad experience across all facets of HR.
A strong voice
“As HR country lead, my focus was on aligning our people strategy with business objectives,” she explains. She has made significant strides in understanding the business landscape, bridging the gap between the strategic objectives and the people element. “I’m passionate about fostering a culture rooted in inclusion, feedback and accountability.”
Devashni is particularly energised by the changing role of HR in modern organisations. “It’s exciting to see how HR has shifted from being a support function to having a strong voice in leadership forums,” she adds.
As Devashni continues to focus on shaping Equinix’s local HR function, she has simultaneously enhanced her skill set, embraced new perspectives and unlocked fresh opportunities culminating in her next milestone in pursuing a master’s.
From a talent strategy perspective, Devashni has remained deeply attuned to the unique dynamics of the South African employment landscape. “It’s been encouraging to see strong gender and racial diversity reflected in the candidate pool, particularly within the technical roles supporting our data centre operations,” she shares.
Her leadership philosophy is grounded in a simple yet powerful belief: clarity is timeless. For Devashni, leading with clarity means creating environments where people understand their purpose. Devashni’s ability to connect, inspire and lead with her heart is what truly sets her apart.
