Linda Mayekiso: Your queerness your superpower

Linda Mayekiso: Your queerness your superpowerIf climbing the corporate ladder were a person, it would be Linda Mayekiso from marketing professional to a business programme consultant

by Mambaonline.com

12-01-2023 11:43

in Culture

Linda Mayekiso: Your queerness your superpower. Photo: Facebook

As if that's not enough, Linda also founded the Shell LGBTQIA Network, to advocate for inclusivity for queer employees, clients and stakeholders across the corporation.

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Linda Mayekiso's business journey breakthrough was his arrival at Shell Africa as direct marketing manager, a prestige position which entailed managing a multi-million dollar budget.

Linda was then made the brand communications manager from 2011-2013, and then the payments and loyalty manager from 2013-2021.

He believes that as LGBTQIA people, we should take the initiative and not wait for others to elevate us.

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The Shell LGBTQIA Business Network is a testament to this.

Linda deeply admires Bonang Mohale, Shell Africa's former CEO, and reiterates his teachings: The success of any organisation lies in its ability to create a sustainable inclusive space.

I had the honour and privilege to chat with Linda Mayekiso which left me feeling uplifted by his dynamism, pizazz and words of wisdom.

ALSO READ: How sides are turning the sexual position binary on its head

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Tell us about yourself and your upbringing. I am a gay-identifying Zulu man who is a marketing professional.

I love my culture and origins [recites his totems] and I believe that you must know your roots so that you know where you are going in the future.

Born and bred in Umlazi, Durban at King Edward Hospital in the 1970s.

Was raised in a beautiful matriarchal home where my grandmother, Dr A.T.C Mayekiso, played a pivotal role in my educational background.

My aunts and uncle were fond of me and it was amazing to grow up being loved unconditionally as a child.

I was privileged to attend a multiracial high school in a difficult period in South Africa as the 1980s were turbulent with uprisings and political unrest.

As much as that was difficult on my psyche, it made me multidimensional because I was exposed to the best of both worlds.

I experienced discrimination because of being gay in the township. I was called Sis Bhuti' [a derogatory term] but I was loved at home and that did not bother me.

Also, l was discriminated on our commutes to school as black learners were not allowed in modes of transport meant to accommodate white-only passengers.

I experienced loneliness as a black queer learner but I had company in the form of elder guardians who were caretakers of the schools.

How did you get into the corporate and business world? Immediately after matriculating, I enrolled for a Bachelor's Degree in accounting at UKZN.

In our second year, our lecturer (Dr. Bonke Dumisa) told me that I am not an accountant, I lean towards a marketer, and that I should change to a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce where marketing would be my major.

I trusted his advice when he said I should go to Unilever for vacation work and not an auditing firm. Little did I know that he was right all along!

Also, I enjoyed my time at Unilever and switched courses, although I didn't tell my parents; as long as I graduated in record time and got my belt.

After graduation, I worked for a while at the institution and found a job in Joburg, and the rest is history, as they say.

One interesting fact is that my beloved friend Petunia Sibanyoni pushed me to work for Shell, and I finally agreed to give it a shot at her fourth attempt in ensuring that I applied for the marketing role.

The job spec was how do you make oil brands sexy? I was sold and hooked.

How do I make sure that no gay professional experiences rejection in corporate like I did? Your corporate career is impressive and shows resilience, passion and dedication. What was your approach to making your mark in a corporation like Shell? My journey has taught me that to be successful in corporate you must use the following formula: 40% accounts for your work/role, another 40% accounts for relationship building in and around the organisation and the final 20% accounts for going the extra mile.

Also had to maintain a healthy relationship with my superiors like my line managers, senior executives and the like.

I ensured that I had a sponsor; someone who is above you in management and believes in your abilities and skillset.

My sponsor was Nomusa and she ensured that my name was spoken in rooms I could not access.

I also took the initiative in volunteering in other departments like the corporate social investment drives such as the graduate programme.

That really helped to push my name out there.

One of the major contributors to my growth in the organisation was that its core values like honesty, respect, diversity, and inclusion aligned with mine.

I felt comfortable to learn and be free.

What has been your experience in navigating your queerness in your business life and career? Were there glass ceilings you had to face? I remember being told by my general manager that I do not belong at Shell because I am femme presenting, vocal and gay.

He said that I should go work at an advertising firm and that I won't make it past the role I was at.

I simmered at what he said, and I remember telling myself that I won't water down who I am to be accepted.

Had to break that glass ceiling and I was promoted several times. I had 13 good years at Shell.

What was meant to shame me, my queerness, I had to harness it to become my strength. I am unique because I am gay.

In retrospect, that moment of defeat turned into triumph and inspired me to think about the future.

I had to ask myself questions like: How do I make sure that no gay professional experiences reje

LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/linda-mayekiso-your-queerness-...
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