By Fiona Wakelin & Koketso Mamabolo
The successes of transformation, and the hopes of those who cast their ballots 30 years ago, have materialised in many ways. In the world of business, brilliant and visionary black leaders represent the aspirations and the realisation of a dream where everyone can pursue the economic opportunities of post-1994 South Africa, finding their niche and taking others with them as they rise to the top. One such leader is Sereme Joel Malatji, the CEO of the thriving Methano Group and the 2023 Top Empowered Business Leader of the Year.
Whether it’s engaging with employees, communities or clients, trust and authenticity are two central tenets to Sereme’s leadership philosophy. A results-driven leader, Sereme prefers to assume the best in people - that they will deliver on their promises. Besides how empowering this can be for employees, it also allows him to not have to be everywhere, which means he can focus on the bigger picture without having to worry about whether or not everyone is playing their role.
“I let them operate on their own and deliver the results,” says Sereme.
This sincere optimism shines on more than just the 108 people who have helped make Methano Group so successful. Sereme sees the possibilities and speaks with confidence when he explains why the realisation of the country’s new dream is possible. This is a dream where unemployment is low. A dream where even more people can be like Sereme, running their own Methano Group, which offers Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) solutions for various industries.