Palesa Phili

Palesa Phili is the chief executive officer of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a role she has held for the past six years. In this capacity, she has overseen significant developments and challenges, working to improve the business environment in Durban and the broader KwaZulu-Natal region.

Palesa has a life story marked by both challenges and resilience. She shares with a touch of humour, “I was born quite a while ago − my kids like to joke that I was born in the year BC! So, I’ll leave you guessing about my exact age, as a lady never reveals it.”

Palesa’s childhood was far from easy. She recalls, “My mother became ill when I was around nine years old, and I lost my father at a young age as well. I was raised by various family members, and by the time I was 18, my mother had been sick for about ten years before she unfortunately passed away.” Despite these hardships, her mother instilled in her the values of hard work and humility – principles that have guided Palesa throughout her journey.

In terms of education, Palesa holds a diploma in business information systems, an advanced business management programme certificate, and a master’s in business administration from the University of Johannesburg.

TRUE CALLING
Palesa says that her first formal job was with Epsidon Technologies, now known as Forst Technology. Her role was technical, and she recalls, “My role involved assembling the PCs, loading software, and troubleshooting before they were sold to dealers.” However, she soon realised that the technical field might not be her true calling.

Within a few months, her boss observed her potential and suggested a transition into sales. Palesa embraced this opportunity and moved into a sales role, where she thrived. This marked the beginning of her journey in the business world, leading to her role as CEO of the Durban Chamber.
Reflecting on her journey, she notes, “If you look at my background, it’s all out there on LinkedIn. I’ve worked for different corporates and companies, but I always felt that something was missing.” She explains, “In a corporate environment, the focus is on the company’s objectives − chasing numbers and managing teams with a specific business emphasis. However, I’ve always felt the need to do something that could have a more significant impact on society.”

“When the Chamber approached me to become their CEO, I was both humbled and excited,” Palesa says. She saw the opportunity to make the meaningful difference she had always aspired to, creating a lasting impact.

SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS
Palesa Phili is proud of both her personal and professional achievements. On a personal level, she expresses gratitude for her family, stating, “I’m incredibly proud of being a mother, wife, aunt, daughter-in-law, and sister. I’m grateful to God for my family and the life we share, and I’m excited about the future we’re building together.”

Professionally, she takes pride in the progress the Durban Chamber has made under her leadership. “Today, the Chamber has become the only one in the country with a direct working relationship with the Presidency. Palesa highlights this as a significant achievement, adding, “Recently, we met with the president of the country for the third time, addressing the challenges facing our city and province. The establishment of a presidential working group is something I believe will help us address the key issues and revitalise our city.”

Palesa reflects on the best advice she’s received, which came during a course on emotional intelligence at Hewlett-Packard. At the time, she was beginning to manage people and was given a piece of advice by a psychologist, Eva Hurley: “You can’t control what others do or say, but you can control how you respond.” This advice has been invaluable in both her personal and professional life, helping her navigate various challenges and interactions.

ADVICE AND SUPPORT
Challenges are a constant in Palesa’s life, both professionally and personally. “Just recently, I dealt with a major concern from one of our members, which required me to liaise with provincial law enforcement to reassure our members,” she says.

On a personal level, she finds motherhood, particularly raising teenagers, to be incredibly challenging. To overcome these personal challenges, she seeks advice and support from other mothers who have gone through similar experiences.

Motivating a team in the face of conflicts and obstacles is a significant part of Palesa’s role. She acknowledges, “It’s very challenging, especially considering the daily issues we face that affect the business community and us directly.” Despite these challenges, Palesa is blessed with a committed team that shares her passion for ensuring businesses thrive.

She believes that trust and communication are key to maintaining team motivation. “I believe in trusting my team and giving them the autonomy to do their jobs,” she says. Palesa also maintains a clear management system where she meets with each team member one-on-one every week. These meetings are not only to check on their professional progress but also to connect on a personal level. “This approach helps me stay connected with my team and ensures we’re all aligned in our goals,” she explains.

BALANCED AND PRINCIPLED
Palesa draws inspiration from success and the positive achievements of others. She explains, “I am deeply inspired by success. When someone comes to me and shares that they’ve started a company or achieved something significant, it absolutely excites and inspires me.” She finds humility in these moments, saying, “These are the kind of things that really humble me, but they also inspire me. It’s incredible to see people out there who are doing good, wanting to do more good things, and improving themselves. That’s what drives my inspiration in everything I see and do.”

Palesa lives by the principles of honesty, integrity, and humility which she asserts are three non- negotiable things that she lives by to lead a balanced and principled life. Palesa is also teaching her children that these are important things you need to live by. Additionally, her Christian faith play a significant role in guiding her life and decisions.