Hendricks joined CPUT in 2013 as Manager: Learning and Development in the Division with a wealth of experience gained during her years as a lecturer, social auxiliary worker, coach, mediator, education training and development practitioner, assessor, and board member of the National Skills Authority.
“Appreciate what you have, count your blessings, value family and friends, see the best in others and be non-judgemental,” she says modestly.
During the last seven years, she has sourced external funding for staff development, especially staffers who want to complete their matric and Adult Education and Training. Hendricks was instrumental in the rolling out of training for mediators and coaches and saw to it that fora for the respective functions were established.
She is also Deputy Chair of the HERS-SA Board, an organisation which aims to contribute to the career advancement and leadership development of women in the Higher Education (HE) sector “by advocating for and contributing to their development via carefully crafted leadership development programmes”.
“HERS-SA is ready to expand on what it has achieved in the last 19 years,” she says. “Thus far, we have trained more than 1 200 women through the HERS-SA Academy and are now looking at the possibility of implementing mentorship programmes and continuous learning opportunities, both online and at universities across South Africa, and exposing young, HE staff to HERS-SA leadership development opportunities at an earlier stage in their careers.”
Hendricks advises young women to always strive to be the best they can be, take advantage of all opportunities, and step out of their comfort zone. “No matter what obstacles you faced growing up, with discipline and a positive attitude, you can create the life of your dreams.”
She urges them to cultivate a network of trusted mentors and colleagues as others can give one the best insight into oneself and one’s own limitations. “We must have the courage to ask for help and to request feedback to expand our vision of what's possible.”
She encourages them to learn from the challenges and experiences in their lives as well as to embrace growth and change.
*For the duration of Women’s Month, we will be profiling several high profile CPUT women whose achievements and activities help us to become One SMART CPUT.
