The thought of heading up one of the most important financial aid projects in recent history might make even the most seasoned of businesspeople nervous. But the woman who’s taken on the challenge of running the president’s Solidarity Fund is no stranger to tackling tough tasks.
When President Cyril Ramaphosa announced businesswoman Gloria Serobe would be in charge of the fund he’d created to help South Africans badly affected by the Co vid-19 strain of coronavirus, many who know her were relieved.
She’s a savvy businesswoman and a great choice to head up the independent board that decides how the money donated to the Solidarity Fund will be spent, corporate analysts said.
And she proved this when she and her team swung into action, committing R100 million to allow for the urgent buying of critical medical supplies, including five million surgical masks for health workers.
“Our key objective is to ensure rapid, nimble and targeted action to cushion the impact of Covid-19 for the most vulnerable members of society,” she said in a recent interview with online newspaper Daily Maverick.
The fund, which is receiving donations from far and wide, including from ordinary South Africans, had more than R500m within days.
But this isn’t daunting to a woman who’s been on the boards of several global businesses, held several high-powered positions and who cofounded Wiphold, the first investment company in SA owned and run by women.
She’s been dealing with formidable challenges ever since she was a young girl, one of only five in a prestigious boys’ school in the Eastern Cape.
Her experience at the school helped to form who she is today, she says in the book by Karina Turok, Life and Soul: Portraits of Women Who Move South Africa.
This story is from the 16 April 2020 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 16 April 2020 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'I'M BACK!'
ACK!’ Scandal after scandal hits Jacob Zuma, yet nothing ever brings him down. Now he’s plotting his return to parliament and he’s hinted he has his heart set on another term as president
A BRAIN YOU CAN COUNT ON
Meet Aaryan Shukla, the 13-year-old from India whos just been crowned the worlds fastest human calculator
FUN WHILE IT LASTED
It's all over for oddball couple Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher
THE TEEN MACHINE!
Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo has set the footballing world alight with his dazzling displays
A BETTER LIFE FOR ELIJAH
A rare condition means this little boy can't bend his arms and legs, but his parents are doing everything they can to give him a normal life
A DOCTOR'S JOURNEY
He chose to do one of the toughest jobs in medicine: looking after children who were dying. In this moving extract from his memoir, Cape Town paediatrician Alastair McAlpine reveals how, with wisdom and humour, sick kids taught him crucial lessons that changed his approach to life
'SA WILL ALWAYS BE PART OF ME'
Cindy Nell-Roberts is starting a new lite Down Under with her family. She tells YOU about the chaotic but happy p ansliepent why shes missing home
HOW TO SPOT A NARCISSIST
They often look like the most confident person in the room, but narcissists are insecure and desperate for validation, says a new book
DEFIANT TO THE END
He went from star athlete to Hollywood hero and ended up a reviled criminal but OJ Simpson remained unapologetic
BRING IT ON TAMMY!
Peet and Mel Viljoen arent going to let threats deter them from their fabulous life