For more than twenty years, Zandile Legwabe has been a welcoming face and a trusted ambassador of the CSIR. From a waitress to now a front office coordinator in the CSIR Conferencing and Accommodation team, her unwavering commitment to service, professionalism and people has made a lasting impact on colleagues, customers and visitors alike. This Women's Month and beyond, we celebrate not only Zandile's remarkable milestone of over two decades of service, but also the Excellence, People-centric, Integrity and Collaboration (EPIC) values that have shaped her journey in our organisation.
As a front office coordinator, Zandile goes beyond delivering exceptional customer service. She plays a vital supporting role across various departments within the CSIR International Convention Centre (ICC), from ensuring that all catering signage is prepared and managed with care, to providing administrative support for clients, the Reservations Office and the group financial administrator. She also takes responsibility for ensuring that all marketing collateral is accurately accounted for and is readily available. It is clear that she wears many hats, seamlessly balancing a wide range of responsibilities, which she approaches with a warm smile, no matter the challenges.
Reflecting on her time at the CSIR, Zandile describes it as both a privilege and an honour. Among her fondest memories are the meaningful relationships she has built with colleagues, the many successful conferences and events she has helped deliver, and the opportunity to contribute to the organisation's success in ways both big and small. "The people, the positive culture and the opportunity to learn and grow have kept me here. Every day gives me a renewed sense of purpose, and I take pride in knowing that my contribution helps support the work of the CSIR," she reflects.
At the heart of Zandile's role is a simple but powerful belief that every interaction matters. For her, excellent customer service is about treating everyone with respect, listening carefully, responding promptly and consistently going the extra mile to create a positive experience.
What continues to inspire Zandile is knowing that her work can brighten someone's day and make a meaningful difference. Whether helping to solve a problem or welcoming a visitor, she approaches every interaction with professionalism, kindness and genuine care.
This people-first approach aligns perfectly with the CSIR's EPIC values; principles that resonate most deeply with Zandile. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to understanding the needs of customers and colleagues, always striving to exceed expectations and building positive relationships.
As we commemorate Women's Month, Zandile reflects on the significance of the occasion with heartfelt appreciation. "Women's Month is a time to celebrate the strength, resilience and achievements of women. It also reminds us of the importance of empowering one another, creating equal opportunities and inspiring future generations of women to reach their full potential," she emphasises.
When asked to impart her message to all women within the CSIR, she does so on a note of encouragement and unity. "Continue believing in yourselves, let's support one another and always strive for excellence. Your dedication, resilience and contributions make a real difference to the CSIR and this world. Happy Women's Month from me to you," Zandile shares warmly.
As she looks ahead, Zandile remains grateful to be part of the organisation and is humbled to be doing what she loves. Her unwavering commitment to the organisation has not gone unnoticed by her team and CSIR ICC guests. Refilwe Nchebisang, Marketing Manager in the CSIR Conferencing and Accommodation team, generously acknowledges Zandile's notable contribution: "Zandile is the epitome of customer service. She demonstrates the CSIR's EPIC values in her daily responsibilities, with people-centricity at the forefront of everything that she does.”
Published 20 August 2026