Mmabatho Tlale, ZEDA’s chief human capital officer, is a doer who is not afraid to get her hands dirty. Part of an exco made up predominantly of black women, she says this strategy is an intentional one to empower women in the car rental sector.
Empathetic leadership is key to building a strong team, Mmabatho Tlale, ZEDA Limited’s chief human capital officer, believes, and women should be spearheading this shift, while celebrating female excellence and breaking down traditional barriers.
The seasoned human capital veteran adds that apart from bringing about a positive work environment, being a kind, caring individual in the workplace has also been proven to improve business outcomes in the long run.
“Every day, I draw inspiration from my belief that positive change is possible through collective effort,” she says. The ‘Try Harder’ philosophy, which historically defined Avis, continues to play a part in ZEDA’s culture. However, there has been a shift towards a more inclusive vision that embraces broader values. Zeda holds the license to the iconic Avis brand in South Africa.
“Managing diversity involves addressing communication barriers, cultural misunderstandings and potential conflicts arising from differing perspectives. To ensure inclusivity, I implement ongoing training programmes that promote understanding and respect among employees from various backgrounds,” Mmabatho says.
Born in Johannesburg and briefly raised by her grandmother in Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga until she was about seven years old, she returned to the City of Gold to pursue better education opportunities. She pursued a credit management diploma at what is now the University of Johannesburg, followed by a senior management development programme from the University of Stellenbosch, BCom Law and an LLB from Unisa. Not one to shy away from learning even more, she is currently working towards a master’s in labour law.
Her human capital (HC) journey began at SA Taxi where her strong people management skills were recognised and put to good use. “Since then, I have been on a trajectory that has exposed me to various aspects of human capital management, largely attributing my career progression to my experiences at SA Taxi,” she says.
Serving others
While her background in law included modules on psychology and people management, most of her skills were developed through on-the-job learning. “This hands-on experience has been crucial in preparing me for my current role,” Mmabatho explains.
“My passion lies in working with people and positively impacting their lives. While I enjoy fostering growth and change, I also believe in maintaining discipline and accountability within the workplace. I focus on leading by example rather than being title-oriented, understanding that leadership is about serving others rather than asserting superiority.”
She recalls one of her career highlights as being promoted within a year in recognition of her hard work at FNB. Another significant highlight was stepping into an HC role as an organisational development manager, despite having little prior experience. “This position taught me agility and the importance of learning on the go. Ultimately, this role paved the way for even greater leadership opportunities, leading me to become an HC executive. Soon after I transitioned into a customer service executive role and back to HC executive when the business needed my expertise.”
She was briefly appointed as managing director at Nebula, before being headhunted by ZEDA for her current role. “My ability to be agile and take risks allowed me to branch out of the norm, proving to my inner child that ‘black child, it's possible’.”
Throughout her career, she has faced challenges such as working with leaders who lack integrity or exhibit bullying behaviour. “These experiences have underscored the importance of fostering a positive work environment,” she says.
Mmabatho believes Africa holds significant potential as a future talent pool due to its youthful population and diverse skill sets. “Our organisation invests in talent development through mentorship programmes and skill-building initiatives tailored to our employees’ needs.”
Diverse skill sets within HC
Her plan for ZEDA is to have an HC department that utilises AI tools to identify skill gaps and facilitate targeted reskilling programs that align with evolving industry demands.
She adds that a critical focus of ZEDA’s strategy is to leverage data analytics in innovative ways. “To challenge the status quo, we are actively seeking to acquire a diverse skill set within our HC team. This includes hiring data analysts with qualifications in finance and BSc programmes, rather than solely relying on traditional HC qualifications. By integrating these varied perspectives, we aim to harness data analytics more effectively. Our goal is to optimise our processes by identifying trends in candidate success rates, enhancing employee engagement and accurately forecasting future workforce needs through predictive analytics,” Mmabatho explains.
“To attract younger generations to careers in HC, we focus on creating engaging internship programmes that provide real-world experience, coupled with clear pathways for career advancement.”
She acknowledges that current challenges facing HC officers include attracting and retaining top talent; addressing burnout and integrating mental health into everyday work practices as well as managing expectations across different generations requires strategic alignment.
Her advice to young professionals is to be adaptable and prioritise networking. “A career in HC revolves around helping people and organisations thrive, staying passionate about making a positive impact will lead to a rewarding journey.”In her leisure time, Mmabatho is an adrenaline junkie who loves bungee jumping, hiking, skydiving, and parasailing. On the less adventurous side, she enjoys experimenting with cooking. She aspires to be remembered as someone who stood for truth and fairness, leaving an indelible mark on those around her.
“My life mantra is: ‘Breathe, believe, achieve’. Additionally, I believe that bad things happen when good people do nothing.”
