The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) is proud to announce – Mandisa Pakamisa, Accounts Receivable Manager of CCS Logistics – as the recipient of the 2021 GCCA Africa Future Leader Award. The final round of the competition was held on Thursday, 9 September 2021. Pakamisa competed for the award with Miriam Camila Winna of Southern Shipping Services in Nairobi, Kenya. Each finalist was evaluated on their knowledge level of the industry, track record of excellence, communication skills, and leadership skills. In addition, each candidate delivered a short presentation to the panel of judges.

“I am extremely happy, grateful and give God praise,” said Pakamisa. “This is the greatest achievement. It is true that ‘anything is possible if you put your mind to it.’ According to CCS leadership, preparation is key, and it has proven to be the best recipe. I had to believe in myself during the process more than before. The support I have received was amazing and that made me to push more to win it.”

As part of the selection process, each finalist was interviewed and judged by a panel of industry leaders including Ivan Sutic, Financial Director of Chilleweni Cold Storage Solutions, Paul Gibbons, Customer Director of Vector Logistics and Christopher Nulliah, Chief Logistics Officer of Etlin International. “Mandisa has thorough knowledge of the cold store business not only in the finance or credit aspect, but has made massive strides into understanding the operations side of the business. I was very impressed with her initiative and motivation in meeting with customers and ability to share the operational processes that occurs. I wish her everything of the best in the future” said Nulliah.

The GCCA Africa Future Leader Award recognizes talented young professionals who have the potential to become future leaders and make a positive contribution to the development of the global temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics industry. Among other eligibility requirements for the award, nominees had to demonstrate excellence in their work and the potential to excel further in the many facets within the industry.

“I am so pleased that we can once again highlight the quality talent the cold chain industry in Africa possesses,” commented Lizelle van der Berg, Director of GCCA South Africa. “GCCA is committed to recognizing these cold chain professionals through the GCCA Future Leader and the GCCA Global NextGen Award programs.”

Pakamisa will compete with other young leaders from around the world for the global GCCA NextGen Award later this year.