How did your journey in the social sector begin?

While looking for a position in marketing, I was given the opportunity to join ERM, a global sustainability organisation. Over time, I became more and more interested in the work of the consultants there. Two years in, I asked for an opportunity to shadow the consultants and began working on contaminated sites. This is how I became a consultant myself. At the same time, I had always been interested in social performance work and would do ad hoc work with the social team, which really aligned with my passion for people. I would often find myself saying that my next move would be into social performance.

Eventually, the world heard me, and I made the move. I really enjoyed engaging with communities that needed the impact our clients were bringing while holding the client accountable to ensure they left the spaces they worked in better than they were before they came there – or at least, no worse. The work was really community focused, and while I’m quite shy, my love for people, especially those who need assistance, enabled me to facilitate community meetings. I found myself becoming part of the communities with whom I worked. It was deeply rewarding, and it made coming to Bridgespan a natural next step for me.

Within the social sector, which issues are you most passionate about?

One of the things I am most passionate about is education, and more so in a South African context because I believe it is a catalyst for the transformation we hope to see. Speaking personally, it’s one of the most important issues for me because I believe it’s integral if we hope to get to a stage where we can really see meaningful transformation within our country. I deeply understand the importance of both education and family planning because of my own experience of having been a teenage mum. Those issues are so close to my heart because I know that education can be that one thing that will change your life in a very positive way.

What brought you to Bridgespan?

While I was working at ERM, I was also working on DEI while consulting and so moving to Bridgespan was motivated by my intention to really focus on it. After joining Bridgespan, I bumped into a former colleague who said to me, “Zam, do you remember how you used to fight for us?” It made me realise that even if the impact I thought I had had was small, it was felt, which affirmed the direction I’ve taken. I am a believer that consistency is key, so I have always tried to be consistent in ensuring that everyone is included in the spaces where I have an influence. My passion all my life has really been people and sharing what I can and including people in spaces where they didn’t necessarily have access.

Is there an exciting project you’re currently working on?

One project I’m currently excited about is launching the employee resource groups (ERGs), formerly known as affinity groups. It’s particularly exciting because Bridgespan Africa hasn’t had its own ERGs or had to drive them before. So, now we have been able to design our own spaces and I am really looking forward to seeing how they grow, how they make an impact, and how they serve as support for members as well as for everyone in the office. I also want to find a way to include allies because I feel doing so is important to ensuring the spaces are truly inclusive, while allowing for the necessary, sometimes difficult conversations to happen.

What do you enjoy most about working at Bridgespan?

I’m sure everyone says this, but it really is the people. Everyone at Bridgespan is really welcoming and has good intentions both in their work and their engagements with others. I think that is very unique. I enjoy the work I do and the opportunity to work with genuinely good people. There is a sincere intention to create a space that is welcoming, and that’s what I enjoy most.

Bridgespan Africa’s office is growing steadily. What do you hope to see in the organisation’s future?

Both as part of the objectives for DEI and as a point of importance for me personally, I really want to ensure that Bridgespan lives into the reality of being a space where everyone feels a sense of belonging, regardless of their race and gender. I focus on those two specifically because they are priority areas in some of the work we do and in society. One of the key metrics is to be proactive and enable everyone to show up authentically, while facilitating understanding and unpacking cultural nuances and differences without biases creeping in. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

To be honest, relaxing. I think we take for granted how the older you get, the more time you need to reset and really pour into your own cup. I mean, I love people and being with people, but away from that, I think it’s important to be in a quiet space and to take time to reset. Apart from that, I also thoroughly enjoy cooking because food is my love language. So, exploring different kinds of foods and eating them with others is another thing I really enjoy. What I would like to do more of in the years to come is to travel, going somewhere I can sightsee but also relax away from things. That’s my dream.