Full Name: Berryl Thuli Njapha
Position: MD of Norconsult Iyanda
Main Activity of the Company: With strong links to Norway-headquartered Norconsult AS, Norconsult Iyanda is a black-women-owned South Africa-based professional services company that provides engineering and consulting services
Date and Place of Birth: Durban, July 4, 1983
Education: Bsc Eng (electrical); MBA (final year)
First Job: Engineer-in-training at Eskom
Career History Prior to Current Position: Assistant electrical engineer, design and project engineer, lead discipline engineer, electrical engineering manager, planning and scheduling manager, project controls manager, head of project controls
Size of First Pay Packet: I cannot recall, but it was market related at the time
First Job with Present Group: MD
Value of Assets under Your Control: Turnover of R79-million and R50-million in 2017 and 2018 respectively
Number of People under Your Leadership: Norconsult Iyanda has a 35-strong staff complement
Management Style: Collaborative and consultative. However, I believe a leader has to take the final decision
Personal Best Achievement: Becoming a mother in February 2014
Professional Best Achievement: Working overseas, which helped me to appreciate how we conduct ourselves and work in South Africa, compared with other countries. Most importantly, it taught me the art of streamlining and providing efficient systems
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother, a self-made businessperson
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My mentor (since 2012) and former project director
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: So many, but top of the list is Michelle Obama
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elekanyani Ndlovu, affectionately known as Ele. I am immensely impressed with her accomplishments and humility
Philosophy of Life: Failure is merely a stepping stone to greatness and success
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Meeting former President Nelson Mandela at the Durban city hall
Biggest Ever Disappointment: When I am misunderstood
Hope for the Future: To make the sort of mark that etches my name in the books of the current company as the woman who led the turnaround of the business
Favourite Reading: Nice Girls Still Don’t Get the Corner Office, by Lois P Frankel
Favourite TV Programme: Suits
Favourite Food/Drink: Sushi and mogodu
Favourite Music: Old-school hip-hop
Favourite Sport: Volleyball
Favourite Website: Several – they must be informative, related to self-development or enhancement, or interior design. My current favourite is Pinterest
Hobbies: Travelling to different parts of Africa and the rest of the world
Car: I drive a BMW but my dream car is a Range Rover Sport
Pets: None, but my son and I love dogs and rabbits
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Underestimation, patronising, too much detail and getting lost while driving
Favourite Other South African Company: Accenture
Favourite Foreign Company: Our parent company – Norconsult AS
Married: Yes, since 2014
Children: A five-year-old son
Clubs: Not stated