A formidable team of women
A high-profile team is echoed in the growing number of women across the company
There is little doubt that NTP operates in a class of its own. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Necsa, and as such a state-owned enterprise, the company is well-run, self-sustaining and profitable — as can easily be seen in the group’s results published as part of Necsa’s annual reports.
One of the reasons for its success is the fact that world-class governance is non-negotiable at NTP. “We operate in a high-profile, high-risk space and we are very diligent about every part of our operation, from how we produce to how we procure,” says Precious Hawadi, NTP group executive for finance. “We have an active audit and risk committee in place and we are careful about who we deal with and we ensure there is no conflict of interest.”
Hawadi adds that NTP’S processes are designed to pick up on any undesirable behaviour. In addition, a fraud hotline is in place to further ensure that nothing untoward takes place.
Governance at NTP is helped by the fact that the company has strategically focused board members who don’t compromise on any standards, says group MD Tina Eboka.
“Our board understands the legislative and risk issues we are faced with and has an uncompromising attitude towards governance and delivery,” she says.
These principles of good corporate governance are woven into the culture of NTP, says board chair, Dr Namane Magau. “Operating as it does in a highly regulated industry, an adherence to good governance is essential.”
NTP’S success is also due, in no small part, to the calibre of its leadership — which now includes a large proportion of women.
This, says Dr Magau, is about more than merely complying and includes a powerful human element. “Credit must be given to group MD Tina (Eboka) in this regard,” she says.
“She has brought significant business experience and established strong relationships with the company’s senior executives. All too often scientists focus only on the science, with the result that the business suffers.”
Since joining NTP in 2014, Eboka has pushed an empowerment agenda and appointed a number of highly capable women into the organisation. “Female leadership brings a different perspective to an organisation,” says Omphile Modibela, head of legal and technology management at NTP, quoting a
2015 Mckinsey study which found that advancing women’s equality in the workplace has the potential to add US$12 trillion to global GDP by 2025.
Eboka, who studied industrial and textile engineering and applied mathematics, and who has an
MBA, has little appetite for what she calls “grandiose popularity” or seeing her name in lights for the wrong reasons.
What she’s more interested in is growing the business ethically and responsibly. Leadership is about strategy and implementation. It’s not only about having a high IQ, but empathising and systemising quotient as well.
Throughout her 25-year career transformational change management has been her particular focus, and under her leadership NTP has focused on employing more women. A number of women are now in the group’s senior management positions.
The result of Eboka’s expertise is an organisation which is wellrun and managed, which has created an enabling environment for young scientists and is an important scientific asset for SA.