Boniwe shares how she turned a chance encounter into a fulfilling career that is filled with resilience, passion, and is testament to her commitment to fairness.
Boniwe Dunster, the HR and industrial relations executive at Lanseria International Airport, has a story deeply rooted in love, support, and a passion for learning, cultivated from a young age. “I was born in Sebokeng in the Vaal Triangle to two loving parents, in an environment filled with love, care, and support,” she recalls.
As the fifth of six children, she grew up in a vibrant household where intellectual curiosity was encouraged. “Both my parents loved reading, and that’s where my love for reading comes from. There were always newspapers and magazines at home – I still remember Reader’s Digest,” she says with a smile.
Boniwe’s academic journey began with a national diploma in public relations from Vaal University of Technology. However, her path took an unexpected turn that led her to the field of HR. “I was interviewed for a role I didn’t apply for, actually. I was asked why I didn’t apply for the job. As I was trying to explain, I was then invited for an interview the same day – or should I say I was instructed to attend the interview. I was only 21, I didn’t know better,” she says with a chuckle. That impromptu interview marked the beginning of her 17-year career in HR, a field she has come to love deeply.
Her HR journey has been marked by continuous learning and professional growth. After transitioning from public relations to HR, Boniwe pursued a BA in industrial psychology from North West University (Vanderbijlpark Campus). Her commitment to personal development didn’t stop there, as she went on to obtain a postgraduate diploma in leadership development from the University of Stellenbosch Business School and a postgraduate diploma in labour law from the University of the Western Cape. She is currently in her final year of a master’s in people management at the University of Cape Town.
Reflecting on her career, Boniwe notes, “I have always been a generalist, which presented an opportunity to learn other specialties as well. However, employee relations have always been a space I am comfortable in, influenced by my work experience in a highly unionised manufacturing environment.”
Her adaptability and eagerness to learn have been key drivers in her career. “I continuously invest in soft skills, belong to professional bodies, attend webinars and seminars, and take free courses where time allows,” she says.
Boniwe’s passion for HR lies in creating a fair and consistent employment experience. “The employer-employee relationship is one of mutual benefit, and as such, the rights of both parties should be equally protected,” she emphasises. This passion drives her to stay updated on industry and legislative changes and to leverage her broad professional network. “I make every effort to listen to various voices in the organisation, including my team, to ensure that execution is well thought through and a collective effort.”
One of the highlights of Boniwe’s career was stepping away from the corporate environment to pursue her passion for public speaking. “The opportunity to freelance not only helped me pursue my true passion, but also gave me the chance to coach young professionals, educate communities, and talk about topics that are uncomfortable, but a reality for many – such as workplace bullying, harassment and victimisation,” she says.
However, her journey hasn’t been without challenges. Transitioning between different industries presented difficulties, especially in adapting to new cultures and industry knowledge. “A difficult challenge was finding myself in a space where I had outgrown a role. Navigating out while remaining engaged was not easy, but it gave me an opportunity to upskill in other HR fields such as career coaching.”
Looking at the broader HR landscape, Boniwe identifies evolving leadership competencies and the adoption of data-driven decision-making as significant challenges. “At the rate of technological changes, world economies, geopolitics, and climate change, it becomes imperative to continuously revisit leadership competencies that would keep the business competitive,” she asserts.
For young people aspiring to a career in HR, Boniwe’s advice is simple: “Always be open to learning and exploring new opportunities when they are presented to you. Don’t limit your networks to HR professionals; be comfortable finding yourself in unfamiliar spaces.”
As someone who finds inspiration in making a difference in people’s lives, Boniwe’s life mantra is to “Always show up for yourself, no matter how difficult it seems.”
In her downtime, she enjoys morning walks, weekend naps, and reading fiction, which allows her mind to wander and relax. Currently, she is reading Finding Purpose by Thami Nkadimeng, a book that resonates deeply with her journey of finding meaning and purpose in her career.
When asked how she would like to be remembered, Boniwe’s response is heartfelt: “I want to be remembered for being an HR professional who practised fairness as a value, advocated for employees, enabled them to build meaningful careers and supported the business in the best way possible.”
This commitment to fairness and empowerment has been the cornerstone of her career, and it is this legacy she hopes to leave behind.
