MEDIA RELEASE
6 OCTOBER 2023
RMB’s Africa’s Fearless Thinker award winner announced
Bertina Engelbrecht is the 2023 winner in RMB’s Africa’s Fearless Thinker category, announced at the 11th Accenture Gender Mainstreaming Awards (GMAs) on 5 October.
The GMAs were developed by Business Engage to acknowledge and celebrate meaningful representation of women in mainstream business across Africa.
RMB’s Africa’s Fearless Thinker award, now in its second year, identifies an individual who is recognised among their colleagues or community for their ground-breaking, innovative thought leadership on tackling gender mainstreaming issues.
Engelbrecht is a remarkable leader who has made significant contributions to the corporate world, specifically in gender mainstreaming. She became the first Black woman to lead a listed retail group in South Africa when she was appointed the CEO of Clicks Group in January 2022.
“I am delighted and honoured to have won this award,” says Engelbrecht. “The Accenture Gender Mainstreaming Awards are vital in keeping gender issues in the spotlight in Africa and globally. Research demonstrates the proven benefits of diverse executive teams and inclusive cultures on financial outperformance and innovation. I firmly believe that the South African retail industry can benefit from more women in leadership. In my role as CEO, I strive to make female leadership appointments the norm rather than the exception. With the majority of retail customers being women, diverse leadership fosters customer-centric innovations and market success.”
Born in a rural Eastern Cape Town, her family encouraged her to strive for excellence in education. Engelbrecht’s determination and hard work led her to obtain a Master’s in Commercial Law and embark on a successful career as an attorney.
Engelbrecht’s transition into HR leadership marked a turning point, setting the stage for her remarkable rise in the corporate world. She has held various key roles, including corporate manager at Transnet, director of organisational effectiveness at Sea Harvest, regional human resources manager for Shell Oil Products Africa, and general manager for Shell SA Energy.
Her journey at Clicks began in 2006 when she joined as the group's HR director. She rose through the ranks to become an executive director and the company's corporate affairs director, and then CEO. Her experience in HR has proven invaluable in her role as Clicks Group CEO. She has a profound understanding of business, internal and external stakeholder engagement, and an ability to navigate organisational ambiguity.
“RMB has a long-standing relationship with Business Engage and the GMAs,” says RMB Chief Marketing Officer Alison Badenhorst. “We support the spirit of the awards, which aim to strengthen the current gender conversation. Bertina’s focus is not only on female empowerment, but also on inclusive leadership that enriches organisational culture and broadens community impact. Her influence is profound, inspiring female professionals and shaping the future of corporate leadership.”
Engelbrecht’s commitment to excellence, mentorship, and inclusivity demonstrate how hard work and supportive environments help women to overcome barriers and achieve unprecedented success.
“As a champion of gender equality, environmental responsibility, and sustainable business models, I envision a future where diverse perspectives are valued, and gender disparities are a thing of the past,” she says.
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