August is Women’s Month in South Africa. As with many countries around the world, the aim of Women’s Month is to raise awareness of the daily challenges women face, to promote gender equality, and to encourage women to dream big and then realise those dreams for themselves.
At Addendum, where women make up the majority of our teams, celebrating Women’s Month is a calendar highlight. The unique talents, skillsets, and dedication of the women at Addendum are invaluable contributions to our company’s success and growth.
As a firm in the Financial Technology (Fintech) industry, our company bridges the gap between finance and technology. To navigate a career in this domain — especially for mothers who often lead busy lives outside of work — agility and adaptability are key.
We asked a few women who work across diverse departments at Addendum to share how they balance their professional and personal lives.
Cara van Schalkwyk
Senior Business Analyst
What does your typical workday look like from the moment you wake up?
My husband and I enjoy kicking off our mornings with a walk and a coffee before the rush begins. From there, I prep lunch for our office days and get ready for work. I usually work with a good playlist in the background to help me focus and keep the creative juices flowing. My lunch breaks are mostly used to prep dinner or run personal errands to help maximise my spare time after work.
What advice would you give a woman who is new to the Financial Technologies industry and would like to explore a future career in a role similar to yours?
Always remain curious, teachable, and open to feedback. Your ideas might be challenged often – that’s a good thing! Get comfortable with never having an empty to-do list. Always listen to the inner voice telling you to test something one last time before deploying to production! Remember that you are no less deserving of a seat at the Financial Technology table.
Izel Frick
Financial Manager
What does your typical workday look like from the moment you wake up?
A typical workday is busy from the moment I wake up. I begin by getting my little ones ready for school, and by 8 am I start my workday. I work half day, so wrap up work-related activities around 2pm. Once that is done, the second part of my day begins. I fetch the kids from school or take them to sports practice and help with their homework. I also try to exercise three times a week, valuing it as my personal time.
What advice would you give a woman who is new to the Financial Technologies industry and would like to explore a future career in a role similar to yours?
Aim for flexible work hours to balance your professional and personal life. I found that a growing fintech company always offers new avenues for professional growth. You have the opportunity to work outside the finance box, in different areas that might interest you. So don’t be scared to try new things and remember that it is always important to make time for yourself between work and home.
Lucille Patricks
Supplier Relations Manager
What does your typical workday look like from the moment you wake up?
My day starts at 5:30, then I have a coffee and start waking up the kids. While they get ready, I prepare lunch for them. When the kids leave for school at 7 am, my day officially starts, tidying up the house and opening the laptop, 8 am, the workday starts. As a mother, you have to balance kids, school work, house, and be emotionally available for your kids. Looking after yourself is the key ingredient because if you are emotionally stable and fulfilled, balancing life is easier.
What advice would you give a woman who is new to the Financial Technologies industry and would like to explore a future career in a role similar to yours?
Never stop learning, always be eager to gain knowledge, and share learnings with colleagues, you don’t have to be a shark in the workplace. Always stay true to yourself. Know your strengths and build on them, to be the best in what you do.
Retha Zietsman
Marketing
What does your typical workday look like from the moment you wake up?
My morning routine is predictable. I start the day with coffee and then dive right into work. Given that the marketing world never sleeps these days, it’s always a challenge to shut my laptop and disconnect at the end of the workday. To counter this, I escape the digital overload by spending weekends away with my husband as often as I can.
What advice would you give a woman who is new to the Financial Technologies industry and would like to explore a future career in a role similar to yours?
If you’re entirely new to fintech as a marketer, do not underestimate the level of knowledge required about both financial services and the tech industry. These fields form the foundation of the products and brands you’ll be marketing. Beyond that, the most crucial attributes to nurture are resilience, perseverance, and, of course, respect for your colleagues. These will be your best allies.
Solene Joubert
Head of Product and Operations
What does your typical workday look like from the moment you wake up?
Balance…I wake up with a cup of coffee from my husband and quiet time to give me the strength for the day. Then the balancing act begins, reading emails while kids are getting ready, a bit of quality time with the kids before they are off to school. Then the workday begins, and the main aim is to keep clients, my team, and work on track. Afternoons are driving kids to their activities and to make sure they are emotionally and physically where they should be, while managing meetings and workload in between. Late afternoons consist of prepping mealtime and family time, and once the kids are in bed, the work of the day continues to ensure tomorrow can start fresh…and then we do it all over again.
What advice would you give a woman that is new to the Financial Technologies industry and would like to explore a future career in a role similar to yours?
Look at the world with the mindset, “It can work”. Never fall in the trap of becoming the “this will not work because” person. Do not be afraid of a challenge or failure. It shapes you! Try your level best and when you make mistakes, learn from them and put measures in place to not repeat.
Own your mistakes and turn them into success stories. Learn as much as you can, as knowledge is power! But very importantly, take care of yourself. Woman innately work hard and give more than what is expected. Make time for yourself and do things you enjoy outside of work and family commitments. You cannot give from an empty cup…
Sarie van der Merwe
Legal
What does your typical workday look like from the moment you wake up?
The demands of both work and family can change unexpectedly, so I try to stay flexible. While I do my best to plan and prioritise, most days involve a blend of multitasking and addressing unforeseen challenges as they arise. An essential skill is the ability to lead a Teams meeting while navigating a car full of energetic kids!
What advice would you give a woman that is new to the Financial Technologies industry and would like to explore a future career in a role similar to yours?
Build a strong foundation before diving into a specialised legal role within a fintech (learn a little about many things before focusing on one). While the “traditional” legal skills like regulatory analysis and risk assessment are vital, you must also think like an entrepreneur and communicate well. You’ll often find yourself translating complex legal-technical concepts into understandable language for non-legal stakeholders (which, in a smaller company like Addendum, might mean everyone except you!).
