Celebrate Life – Frontline Heroines
We celebrate some of the women who have worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic to make sure that we all have access to essential goods and services
MPHO MAILULA,
28, CHECKERS FX BLUBIRD MELROSE SHELF PACKER, DID NOT ANTICIPATE THAT SHE’D BE WORKING IN THE FOOD BUSINESS RATHER THAN THE HAIR INDUSTRY. BUT, AFTER GETTING A JOB AT CHECKERS, SHE GREW TO LOVE IT.
Why do you love your job?
Many things make me love my job, but the most important one is that it puts food on the table for my family as I am the breadwinner. This is my first job, and earning a salary has made my life easier. Even though it’s not that much, it makes a big difference.
Experiences during the pandemic?
We’ve all had different ones. This virus took our loved ones away from us. Working on the frontlines is very scary. I experienced many things. We must follow all the rules and regulations to keep ourselves safe. Checkers gave us all the safety gear we needed at the beginning of it all, and management reminds us to wash our hands and sanitise timeously to keep everyone safe.
How did you end up working for Checkers?
I thought I’d be in the hair industry when I finished school. But, because of life situations, I ended up working at Checkers. It was a bit of a rocky start for me, but I ended up loving it.
NOLUTHANDO TRUELOVE ZULU,
22, USAVE WOLHUTER MONEY MARKET CLERK, MAKES SURE YOUR LOVED ONES ARE TAKEN CARE OF BY ENSURING THAT YOU CAN SEND AND RECEIVE CASH EASILY AT MONEY MARKET KIOSKS.
Why do you love your job?
As a people’s person myself, working with and encountering people with different personalities and from different backgrounds every day, has helped me harness my people skills.
Experiences during the pandemic?
We have continued to provide services to our customers; these have been so important, especially as many people have needed to urgently send or receive cash from family or friends in need during these tough times.
How did you end up working for Shoprite?
Of course, being unemployed at the time was the main and logical motivation. However, Usave is a supermarket that I frequent as a customer, and I couldn’t help but notice the professionalism of all the staff members, accompanied by great customer service.
This impression really compelled me to go ahead and submit my CV and application in the hope of becoming part of this team. When a vacancy opened up, I undoubtedly agreed. I was so happy when I got the job.
NELLY MAITHULELA,
41, SHOPRITE MINI LOUIS BOTHA ADMIN MANAGER, IS A WOMAN WHO, DESPITE ALL ODDS, MADE SURE SHE’S STEADFAST IN PROTECTING
HER CASHIERS AND CUSTOMERS FROM COVID-19 AS BEST AS SHE CAN.
Why do you love your job?
It enables me to provide for my family’s needs. It is also an effortless and enjoyable occupation for me to execute, as I am naturally an easygoing person who really loves working with people, and resolving conflicts.
Experiences during the pandemic?
It was undoubtedly a challenge in the beginning; the concept of social distancing for your own safety was still a very foreign one to embrace for both the consumers and staff. However, having protective gear, as well as using demarcation tape to ensure social distance, does make my job in enforcing these new regulations a lot easier as a front admin, more so for the protection of my cashiers as their safety is my number-one priority.
How did you end up working for Shoprite?
I started in February 2014 at a branch in Eldorado Park as a till packer, and then later got a promotion to cashier. I then worked my way up to cash-office clerk. In 2016, I enrolled for a one-year trainee manager programme, and it’s the conclusion of the course that led to my appointment as a trainee manager. I started off as a fresh food’s manager at the Hillbrow branch in 2018.
SALOME MAKGAMATHA,
58, CHECKERS HYPER FX SANDTON GROCERIES CONTROLLER HAS BEEN WORKING AT THE COMPANY FOR 35 YEARS. SHE’S STILL ZEALOUSLY GIVING THE BEST SERVICE POSSIBLE.
Why do you love your job?
I love working for Checkers because it always looks after its employees. Even now, during these trying times, Checkers didn’t hurt its employees by closing shop, and only closed stores temporarily if there was any threat. I am what I am today because of the company. I managed to take my daughter to school with my salary, and even buy my own house.
Experiences during the pandemic?
We work very well. We are treated well, and the company looks after you when you have a problem. A month after the pandemic hit our shores, we were rewarded with R700 bonuses as the frontline heroes who are taking care of the nation in the food section. The company also looked after employees who tested positive for the virus, even when they were at home.
How did you end up working for Checkers Hyper?
I started working for this company on 5 April 1985 when it was still called Hyperama. I started working in the textile department as a permanent employee, when I was fresh out of school. I moved up in my department, and was promoted to textile manager when Shoprite bought the company in 1997. A lot of people resigned during that period, but I didn’t. I believed that there’d be life after the transition, and I took my daughter to school. She is a product of Shoprite; I’m so thankful.