Viola Manuel
Viola Manuel who joined the MOT Team as the Country Director in August 2021, is an accomplished senior executive with extensive experience in both strategy and implementation, Viola has an impressive track record of sitting on numerous boards and receiving multiple award nominations.
Viola excels in understanding the mechanisms that drive economic growth, building strong national and international networks, comprehending public policy and participation processes, especially at the community level, and excels in high-level project management. She is also skilled in engaging with the media and civil society, advocating for important causes, fostering innovation, upholding corporate governance, ensuring organizational sustainability, and advancing the pan-African growth agenda.
In addition to her strategic expertise, Viola possesses specialized experience in adult education, holding an assessor qualification from the Services SETA and a moderator qualification from TETA. Her role as HOD for training at SAA saw her designing courses, conducting Train the Trainer sessions, and maintaining the quality of training delivered.
Viola's outstanding contributions have led to several award nominations, including IT Personality of the Year, Boss of the Year, Influential Women Award, and recognition as one of SA's Most Influential Women in Business & Government (twice nominated). She was also short-listed for the Woman of the Year Award.
Viola has been instrumental in numerous initiatives, including The ICT Census of the Western Cape, Women in IT, Youth in IT, VIP Graduates Club, and several SMME Enterprise Development Projects.
Her impressive career includes roles such as CEO of the Cape Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Executive Director of The Cape IT Initiative, membership on the Western Cape Premier’s Council of Skills, and Chair of the BUSA SMME chapter, representing it at NEDLAC, among others.
Viola has authored strategy and implementation documentation for the sports industry, specifically WP rugby, WP cricket, and the ICT sector.
In addition to her corporate engagements, Viola plays key roles in various organizations. She serves as the Vice Chairperson at the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and as Deputy Chair of the Cape Town Stadium. She is a trustee for Iyanthelo and leads specialist committees on these boards, including chairing the Audit and Risk Committee for the Cape Town Stadium.
Viola's entrepreneurial spirit is evident through her ownership of two ventures: G and V retail and Afriwellness.
Viola holds an MBA from Herriot Watt University in Scotland, an HDipEd from UCT, and a BA from UCT. She is eagerly looking forward to completing her DBA.
Above all her achievements, Viola takes immense pride in her most challenging and fulfilling role - being the best mom she can to her son, Shay.