‘I have had the opportunity to work with amazing and dynamic women who have shaped me as an Human Resource (HR) professional,” says this HR Service Coordinator in the Human Resources Department

Kgomotso Lekgari is an HR Service Coordinator in the Human Resources Department. In this interview she shares more about her work, what inspired her to choose HR, and how she thinks we can improve gender equality in society.

Tell us about yourself and what you do at UP?

I am responsible for HR operations within Partnerships and Services. I plan, direct, organise, supervise, and evaluate the provision of high-quality and effective HR services. Basically, I am responsible for continuous service improvement that is responsive to our clients’ needs and maximises productivity, and service delivery that inspires client confidence.

What inspired you to choose your field of study/profession, and what challenges did you overcome to pursue it?

I got into HR by chance. I wanted to pursue an accounting qualification, however, I was not accepted into the programme. HR was the next best thing, and I do not regret my choice at all. I have had the opportunity to work with amazing and dynamic women who have shaped me as an HR professional, created opportunities where my skills and capabilities were harnessed, and I have been pushed to limits where I discovered that HR was indeed my true calling. I have had the greatest honour to work with women who have inspired me to believe in myself and take pride in what I do and the quality of work I produce. I have had numerous challenges to overcome. I lost my parents at a very young age, and I knew that if I didn’t get myself through school, I would be stuck in my environment forever. I knew early on that for my circumstances to change, I needed to stay behind the books, I needed to be proactive enough to aspire for more, and education was my only way out.

In your experience, what obstacles do women often face in the academic or professional sphere, and how can these challenges be addressed?

I believe women are still not seen as equal players in academia as well as in the professional sphere in general. Besides the many roles that women play, being mothers, wives, and social beings, we are still expected to put in three times more effort to earn the recognition I believe we deserve. The impact women have needs to be acknowledged. We are a force and, when united, we can change the world for the better

Gender equality and empowerment are significant aspects of Women’s Month. How can we ensure that women are equally represented and empowered in leadership positions at the university and the world at large?

It is so encouraging to see that the landscape for women is changing, especially here at UP. More and more women are taking or are given opportunities to occupy positions where they have influence. We need to take up space and be impactful in our endeavours. To do this, opportunities need to be created, and women should be given preference and the necessary support to pursue them.

How can we promote work/life balance and address the challenges women may face in balancing academic/professional responsibilities with personal and family commitments?

Work/life balance is crucial for women’s physical and mental health. Imbalance can lead to a lot of health issues. When a balance is achieved, it can lead to being more engaged both at work and at home, leading to improved performance in professional and personal roles. Women should be given flexibility, with the confidence that we are more capable than anyone thinks. We can achieve tremendous results when supported.

As we celebrate Women’s Month, what message would you like to send to young women aspiring to pursue higher education or careers in academia?

Remember who you are. Stop worrying about what other people think of you, and focus on yourself and your dreams instead. If pursuing a career in higher education or academia is what will make you happy, believe in that and go for it. You are your biggest commitment; start loving and believing in all that you are. Dreams become a reality if you are simply yourself.