Jul 19, 2024 MISA, Motor Industry Staff Association, Thandeka Phiri, FEDUSA, MerSETA
MISA Profile
Thandeka Phiri, National Training and HR Manager of MISA, (the Motor Industry Staff Association) thrives on the ability to make a difference in the lives of MISA members, and despises any form of unfairness and unreasonable behaviour.
“I am honoured to give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves,” says Phiri.
She serves MISA on the structures of FEDUSA (the Federation of Trade Unions of South Africa), MerSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority) and MIRF (the Motor Industry Retirement Fund).
Growing up in Umtata in the Eastern Cape, Phiri wanted to become a fashion designer. She loves colour and seeing her vision come to life. Her mother had other plans for her only child and applied, without her knowledge, for Phiri to study B Proc at the Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha.
“I fell in love with law. After completing my B Proc, I did my postgraduate LLB at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban. After six years of studying, I did my articles at a law firm in Mthatha which handled mainly criminal cases. “Although exciting, it was a rude awakening to see how the law is practised in the field as opposed to theory. I experienced how cases were at times decided in the corridors of courts.”
After she had to do a second bail application for a man arrested for assault, whilst out on bail for a similar offense, she realised that criminal law was not her cup of tea. Phiri wanted to spread her wings and prove to herself that she could make it on her own by accepting a job at NAPWA (National Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS South Africa) in Johannesburg. From there she moved to a position as Assistant Director in Admin Support at the Gauteng Department of Housing.
Soon she was promoted to the positon of Contracts Manager: Admin and Legal Support, responsible for new housing projects. This was very rewarding for Phiri, working in collaboration with first time homeowners who participated in the building projects. Her next challenge was a position as Contracts Manager at the Department of Trade and Industry.
Headhunted by AfriSam, for the position of HR Compliance Professional, her passion for HR and training grew from that point on. “This is where I was exposed to trade unions for the first time through annual wage negotiations and drafting recognition agreements, amongst others. I had mixed feelings because I experienced some trade union representatives who were putting their own interests first, persisting with unreasonable demands.
“I also met trade unions who did thorough research and understood the landscape and the importance of good work ethics to the best interest of their members,” says Phiri.
The company was going through a restructuring process when Phiri learned about the vacancy at MISA and applied in 2016. The rest is history.
She married in 2007 and has three children. “James, my husband is my calmness in the face of a storm, and my belief system, with God being my guiding light and my rock. He keeps me going.
Phiri never wants to stop learning and growing whilst remembering that the world is her oyster. In her spare time, her priority is spending time with her family and serving her community. She loves helping those in need, along with cooking, gardening and listening to music.
#PROUDLYMISA #MISALEADS #MISACARES #MISAONTHEMOVE #MISAFAMILY
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