Makhosazana "Khosi" Mavimbela's words ", This is not the time to moan and groan, this is the time to learn and grow", capture both her personal philosophy and her approach to transformation in South Africa's forestry sector.

Khosi is the Executive Director of the Forest Sector Charter Council (FSCC), reporting to the Chairperson, Nelly Ndlovu. Khosi oversees one of the country's most successful charter councils, which is tasked with promoting and monitoring the progress of Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE).

"A large part of our success is built not on mandates and penalties, but on communication, relationships, development, and a deep understanding that lasting change comes from within", says Khosi.

Khosi's journey into forestry began in the mountains of Eswatini, where she grew up as one of eight siblings.

It was there that she developed her love for the environment, eventually pursuing a Master's degree in Environmental Science at the University of Swaziland.

It was also at home where she received her most formative lessons in leadership. Her mother, her first mentor, would say: "Be nice to people on your way up, and they will be nice to you on your way down".

As a young person, Khosi admits they thought their mother was expecting them to fail. "But as you get older, you realise that the advice is to be humble, respectful, and take responsibility as you grow. When you make mistakes, your colleagues will treat you with respect and help you".

This wisdom would prove foundational to how she would later approach transformation in a male-dominated sector.

Building bridges, not barriers

When the third FSCC board was appointed by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment in 2023, Khosi took on the leadership with a clear mandate: to encourage, facilitate and monitor the achievement of Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) targets across the forestry value chain. The council is made up of representatives from industry, labour, communities, and government.

Unlike the adversarial relationships that sometimes characterise transformation initiatives, the FSCC has built something different. It works across six sub-sectors – Contractors, fibre, growers, sawmilling, pole producers, and charcoal producers – with a focus that goes beyond ownership.

The approach encompasses skills development, supplier development, socio-economic development, and management control, recognising that transformation requires systemic change.

"We have good relationships with our partners because it is in the interest of the future of the sector," Khosi explains. This collaborative approach has allowed the FSCC to provide constructive feedback to companies, helping them understand that while they might achieve a level 1 B-BBEE rating, they may still be far from meeting ownership targets.

The proof of this approach lies in their Annual Status of Transformation in the Forest Sector Report, which serves as a measure of progress and a diagnostic tool. "We use it as a benchmark of progress. It helps us find grey areas, loopholes, and red flags," she notes. Rather than wielding this report as a weapon, the FSCC uses it as a roadmap for development.

She is Forestry

Perhaps nowhere is the FSCC's developmental approach more evident than in its "She is Forestry South Africa" (SIF-SA) campaign. What began as an initiative to address the underrepresentation of women in forestry has evolved into what Khosi describes as "a blueprint that we can use to facilitate the other elements of the charter – skills development, enterprise and supplier development, ownership and so on."

The campaign's impact extends far beyond the forestry industry itself. Teachers and schoolgirls have responded enthusiastically to SIF-SA's role model videos, finding inspiration in stories of women who have broken through traditional barriers.

"They can relate to it and see that they are not trapped in their circumstances. Everyone has an opportunity; they need to seize it," Khosi observes.

The success of SIF-SA has been so significant that male colleagues, companies, and industry bodies have embraced it. When the campaign needs sponsorships, support comes readily, with the Fibre Processing & Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority (FP&MSeta) serving as the biggest sponsor. This broad-based support demonstrates how effective transformation initiatives can unite rather than divide.

Mentor Me

Building on this success, this year the FSCC is launching the "Mentor Me" initiative as part of SIF-SA, recognising that lasting change requires personal development and support systems.

Khosi's understanding of professional development is nuanced, shaped by her own experiences navigating a traditionally male industry. She makes a crucial distinction between mentors and role models that serve different purposes in an individual's career journey.

"Role models are individuals you admire and whose behaviour you emulate. They provide inspiration and demonstrate what is possible," she explains. These might be historical figures, industry leaders, or even characters in books who offer a vision of success. For Khosi, role models include industry leaders like Dr. Ronald Heath, who "held my hand" through her early days, as well as Nelly Ndlovu, Katy Johnson, Mama Busi Mnguni, Itumeleng Langeni, and Dr Felleng Yende.

Mentors, she says, are active participants in personal development. They provide feedback and guidance, share experiences, and help develop skills. "Katy Johnson serves as both a role model and mentor for me, demonstrating how these relationships can evolve and deepen over time," Khosi explains.

But perhaps most importantly, Khosi emphasises that career development is ultimately an individual responsibility. "Your career development is your responsibility. No one else will care about your career as much as you do. You must take the initiative to identify your goals, develop a plan, and take action to achieve them."

Professional relationships

Success in any field requires strong professional relationships, and Khosi has identified the key attributes that make this possible: self-awareness, humility, respect, honesty, and the ability to learn from mistakes.

"Everyone has different life experiences, and you can learn something from everyone you meet," she notes.

This openness to learning extends to how she handles setbacks and criticism. Drawing on wisdom from a university lecturer who said, "When you point a finger at someone, three fingers point back at you," Khosi emphasises the importance of self-reflection and accountability.

When faced with negative feedback or difficult situations, her approach is methodical: "Stop, analyse it, and see what you can learn from it. Don't be defensive or blame others. Acknowledge the situation, be introspective and consider your strengths and weaknesses and how you can draw on your strengths to learn from the situation."

This philosophy extends beyond personal development to how conflicts and challenges are addressed within the forestry sector itself. By focusing on self-improvement rather than blame, individuals and organisations can break cycles of defensiveness and create space for progress.

Preparing leaders

As the forestry sector continues to evolve, Khosi sees enormous opportunities for those who are prepared to seize them. Her advice to young women graduates entering the field is both practical and empowering: focus on building a strong career path rather than viewing the sector as a "competition" with men.

"The forest sector is transforming, and there are many opportunities for those who are prepared," she notes. This preparation requires developing skills, knowledge, and experience while maintaining a growth mindset and positive attitude. Success, she emphasises, requires hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. "Nothing is free."

Central to this approach is associating with people who have the same objectives. Successful professionals leverage their strengths while systematically addressing their limitations.

Learn from failure

Perhaps most powerfully, Khosi reframes failure as an essential part of growth. "Mistakes are stepping stones," she insists. "Every negative experience is a stepping stone to learning and growth. Don't be afraid to take risks and learn from your mistakes."

The key is avoiding what she calls "the trap of self-destruction." When things go wrong, the focus should be on learning and improvement rather than blame or self-recrimination. "Even when you're not at fault, the most productive response is reflection. Don't point a finger of blame, reflect on the situation and how you can grow from it.

Being a woman

Despite her demanding role, Khosi remains grounded in her identity as "a mother, a wife, a sister, an aunt, a role model, a coach, a sponsor and a friend." She's an advocate of life-long learning who loves cooking for her family. However, she admits with a laugh that sometimes having her laptop on the kitchen counter while cooking has its drawbacks: "I find myself burning food."

This integration of personal and professional life reflects an integrated approach to leadership that recognises the importance of authenticity and connection.

Looking toward the future, Khosi is optimistic about the direction of transformation in forestry. "Women are stepping up and starting to take up space," she observes, noting that forestry is evolving every year and that the She is Forestry campaign initiatives are working.

The road ahead

As Khosi continues her work at the FSCC, her mother's early wisdom remains relevant: be nice to people on your way up, and they will be nice to you on your way down. In a sector undergoing fundamental change, this approach of building bridges and fostering development is proving to be effective and sustainable.

The forest sector's transformation journey is far from complete. For young women considering careers in forestry, the message is clear: "This is not the time to moan and groan about barriers. This is the time to learn, grow, and take up space in a sector ready for your contributions".