Ms Cheryl Yeni

My current role is Director for Business Management and Systems in the National Research Infrastructure Platforms Division (NRIP) of the NRF. The role is primarily responsible for the provision of strategic business management support and analysis for NRIP at a corporate level. This entails the financial management, planning, management reporting, supply chain management, corporate governance, contract management, capital project management, and overall performance management (financial and non-financial), benchmarking and analysis for the division.

My role is also key in ensuring that harmonious and productive relationships with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and other external stakeholders are maintained on business management & financial accountability aspects to enable the successful execution of programmes, projects and initiatives, and ensure compliance and continued funding from National Treasury via the DSI.

The NRIP Division is made up of five National Research Facilities (NFs) across the country which are supported by the NRIP Corporate Office in Pretoria, of which I am a part.

What inspired you to become the leader that you are today?

Honestly – it just happened! I wouldn’t say I planned to become a leader. From an early age, I was exposed to positive leadership through my blessed upbringing in a grounded family structure based on firm Christian values, which at their very core, inspire servant leadership.

At school, I was never scared to lead projects, educational and recreational. I remember once organising a successful beauty pageant in high school, and once organising a successful corporate ‘Idols’ (singing) competition at one of my previous employers. So, fair to say, I have been inspired by some amazing leaders I have crossed paths with throughout my career and life in general. But my best and honest answer would be that leadership (including in the corporate space) was always a part of God’s plan for my life, so He enabled it to be so, as I faithfully did what I could humanly do.

I am a hard worker who strongly believes in excellence in whatever I pursue, big or small. I would rather fail trying to pursue excellence than not try at all. I also give even the most insignificant task my all in terms of passion and excellence, regardless of who is watching.

My educational expertise lends itself to leadership and cross-functional cutting roles throughout my career, where I worked with various inspirational leaders and took positive learnings from them. Essentially, leadership is cross-cutting – we lead daily and are led daily in the various roles we occupy, consciously and sometimes not even being aware that someone is looking up to us and taking notes. With that comes the responsibility to always aim to be the best “you” that you can be, as you are continuously inspiring someone else, and they also do the same.

What advice would you give to the next generation of women leaders?

Do not believe the myth that there are shortcuts to success; take the necessary steps to steadily progress. It always pays off in the end and the victory is more sustainable and long-lived.

Be patient, your journey is unique. Be the best “you” that you can be and don’t compare yourself with or compete with your peers. Some get ahead faster, others slower. None is superior to the other.

Do not try to be someone you are not, it’s not sustainable. Rather work gradually on your weaknesses, and remember some weaknesses can be your unique strengths, so make them work for you. There is no perfection, if perfection is what you aspire towards you will drown pursuing it.

Always pursue opportunities to develop your skills further, be it participating in cross-functional projects that are outside your comfort zone, or furthering your studies where appropriate and relevant for your growth and contribution in your role. True failure is not trying at all. Rather fail trying and fail forward.

Prioritise your well-being. Know when to slow down, take time off, re-energise and get back with a bang. Women sometimes tend to take on way more than they can handle. When help is available, ask and use it. Enjoy your out-of-work activities and hobbies, they are just as important. Find a way to also make work fun.

A fulfilling career is a blessing but it is temporary, there is more to life, so keep the respect for everyone around you – superiors, peers and junior assistants alike.

Enjoy the fruits of your hard work – accept compliments gracefully, and on the other end, accept constructive guidance with maturity and learn from it.

Keep your eye on the prize. Avoid entertaining corridor talk and office politics – it’s the best way to get distracted, lose focus of what your employer really employed you for and lose your objectivity which is critical for effective leadership.

Be brave enough to try or propose new things. Ask questions even when it feels uncomfortable – it’s one of the best ways to learn and grow.

Be willing to lend a helping hand where possible, lift others up, especially other women, always remembering that Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu!

Do not put off for tomorrow what you should (and can) do today!