Epic Stuff!, Featured

Bertina Engelbrecht

(April 2025)

AFRIQAAA Editors
April 19, 2025

Synopsis

Bertina Engelbrecht is the first black female CEO of a listed retail group in South Africa, and leader of the Clicks Group since January 2022. With a background in law and extensive experience in human resources, she is a driving force in promoting gender equality and diversity within the company. Her commitment to empowering women, fostering inclusivity, and driving sustainable business practices is a strong mark of her leadership.

Introduction

Bertina Engelbrecht’s tale exemplifies the power of grit and drive. This is a truly inspiring story of overcoming challenges, starting from a humble village in the Eastern Cape and culminating in becoming the first Black woman to lead a publicly traded retail conglomerate in South Africa.

As the CEO of Clicks Group, she sets an inspiring example by prioritising diversity and inclusion initiatives and demonstrating a strong commitment to gender equality. Bertina’s journey exemplifies the incredible potential that you can unlock through determination and a supportive network.

1. Who is Bertina Engelbrecht?

Bertina Engelbrecht is a pioneering leader, rising from a rural town in the Eastern Cape and the Cape Flats to become the first black female CEO of a listed retail group in South Africa. Her resilience and commitment to education earned her a Master’s degree in Commercial Law from the University of Cape Town, beginning a career in law, but thereafter transitioning into human resources, where she found her niche at Clicks Group in 2006 and steadily climbed the ranks to executive management positions.

As a child growing up on the Cape Flats and in a little village in the Eastern Cape, Engelbrecht’s parents always pushed her to do her best. This explains how she rose through various leadership roles, including human resources director and corporate affairs director, she rose through the ranks to ultimately lead the company as CEO, heading Clicks Group since January 2022.

Advocating inclusive leadership and generating opportunities for women and underrepresented groups, Engelbrecht fervently commits herself to gender equality and diversity. Under her direction, Clicks Group grows rapidly and significantly advances inclusion promotion and transformation driving power. She also spearheads initiatives to invest in black women-owned suppliers, demonstrating her dedication to economic empowerment and community support.

2. What Makes Bertina Engelbrecht So Special?

Some of the reasons Bertina Engelbrecht stands out as a remarkable leader include her:

Trailblazing Leadership: Engelbrecht’s historic appointment as the first black female CEO of a listed retail group in South Africa, leading Clicks Group since January 2022, marks a significant milestone. Her achievement not only garnered attention within South Africa’s retail sector but also served as an inspiration to women globally.
Commitment to Gender Equality and Diversity: Throughout her career, Engelbrecht has been a passionate advocate for gender equality and diversity. She has actively implemented policies and initiatives at Clicks Group aimed at fostering inclusivity and ensuring that leadership opportunities are accessible to women and underrepresented groups. Her efforts have profoundly influenced the corporate culture at Clicks Group.
Focus on People and Community: Engelbrecht’s leadership is characterized by a strong focus on people. She values community support and mentorship, attributing much of her success to the guidance and encouragement she received from her family, mentors, and colleagues. This people-centric approach underpins her efforts to cultivate a supportive and inclusive workplace environment at Clicks Group.
Strategic Vision and Resilience: Leading through challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Engelbrecht has demonstrated exceptional strategic vision and resilience. Her ability to navigate complexities while prioritizing business continuity and employee well-being underscores her strong leadership skills.
Economic Empowerment Initiatives: Engelbrecht champions initiatives on empowering black women-owned suppliers, and directing substantial investments to support local businesses. This initiative highlights her commitment to economic empowerment and community development, reflecting her broader vision for a fairer and more inclusive society.

3. What Does Bertina Engelbrecht Care About?

Bertina Engelbrecht cares about several key values and causes that reflect her personal and professional journey, such as:

Empowering Women and Promoting Gender Equality: Engelbrecht is passionate about creating opportunities for women, particularly in leadership roles. Her journey exemplifies breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry. See that in how she advocates for gender equality and diversity. She believes that diverse leadership teams lead to better business outcomes and thus she commits to making such leadership appointments the norm rather than the exception.
Education and Lifelong Learning: Coming from a background where education played a pivotal role in her success, Engelbrecht is a strong proponent of lifelong learning. She supports initiatives that promote education and skill development, especially in underserved communities. Her academic achievements, including a Master’s degree in Commercial Law, underscore the transformative power of education.
Community Support and Mentorship: Engelbrecht’s journey significantly points to the support of her family, mentors, and community. She loves giving back by mentoring others and fostering a supportive environment within her organization. This sense of community and the desire to uplift others is a key motivator for her.
Fairness and Equity: Engelbrecht emphasizes the importance of fairness and equity in all aspects of business. She strives to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, race, or background, has the opportunity to flourish and succeed. This commitment to equity reflects in her leadership style and the policies she advocates for at Clicks Group.
Motivating Change and Fostering Inclusivity: Engelbrecht commits to driving transformation and inclusivity within Clicks Group and beyond. She leads initiatives intending to promote diversity and ensure that the company’s workforce and leadership reflect the broader society. Her vision for an inclusive business environment is a significant source of motivation.

4. What Are Bertina Engelbrecht’s Greatest Deeds?

Here are several significant achievements that highlight the leadership, vision, and commitment to diversity and inclusion of Bertina Engelbrecht’s career:

Historic CEO Appointment: Engelbrecht made history by becoming the first black female CEO of a listed retail group in South Africa when she took the helm at Clicks Group in January 2022. This groundbreaking achievement not only marks a personal milestone but also sets a precedent for future generations of women leaders.
Advocacy for Gender Equality: Engelbrecht’s career projects her staunch advocacy for gender equality and diversity in the workplace. She has implemented policies and initiatives to promote inclusivity and ensure that leadership roles are accessible to women and underrepresented groups.
Supporting Black Women-Owned Suppliers: Under her leadership, Clicks Group has committed to investing over R4.5 billion in black women-owned suppliers over three years. This initiative aims to promote economic growth and support local businesses, particularly women-owned ones.
Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic: Engelbrecht played a crucial role in steering Clicks Group through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a leadership style ensuring business continuity, employee safety, and adaptability to rapidly changing market conditions.
Driving Transformation and Inclusivity: Engelbrecht has been instrumental in driving transformation within Clicks Group; leading efforts to ensure that the company’s workforce and leadership reflect the broader society and promoting a culture of inclusivity and equity.

5. What Has Bertina Engelbrecht Faced as Challenges?

Bertina Engelbrecht has faced several significant challenges throughout her career, particularly in her journey to becoming the CEO of Clicks Group, such as:

Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Industry: As the first black female CEO of a listed retail group in South Africa, Engelbrecht navigated and overcame the systemic barriers and biases that often exist in male-dominated industries. This includes proving her capabilities and leadership skills in environments where women, especially women of color don’t have much representation.
Driving Diversity and Inclusion: Early in her tenure at Clicks, Engelbrecht noticed that the company’s long-term incentive candidates were not representative of the broader workforce. She faced the challenge of advocating for and implementing policies that promote diversity and inclusion, ensuring that women and people of color had equal opportunities for advancement.
Leading Through the COVID-19 Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for businesses worldwide. Engelbrecht, along with the executive team, steered Clicks Group through this period, ensuring business continuity, employee safety, and adapting to rapidly changing market conditions.
Strategic Leadership Transition: Taking over from a successful predecessor, Vikesh Ramsunder, who significantly grew the company’s market capitalization, Engelbrecht faces the challenge of maintaining and building on this momentum. This requires strategic vision and strong leadership to continue driving the company’s growth and transformation.

6. What Keeps Bertina Engelbrecht Motivated?

These are some of the things that fuels Bertina’s motivation:

Empowering Women and Promoting Gender Equality: Engelbrecht is passionate about creating opportunities for women, particularly in leadership roles. Her experience of breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry drives her to advocate for gender equality and diversity. She believes that diverse leadership teams lead to better business outcomes and thus commits to making such leadership appointments the norm rather than the exception.
Education and Lifelong Learning: Coming from a background where education played a pivotal role in her success, Engelbrecht is a strong proponent of lifelong learning. She supports initiatives that promote education and skill development, especially in underserved communities.
Community Support and Mentorship: Engelbrecht enjoys strong support from her family, mentors, and community, and devotes herself to giving back by mentoring others and fostering a supportive environment within her organization. This sense of community and the desire to uplift others is a key motivator for her.
Fairness and Equity: Engelbrecht emphasizes the importance of fairness and equity in all aspects of business. She strives to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, race, or background, has the opportunity to flourish and succeed. This commitment to equity shows in her leadership style and the policies she advocates for at Clicks Group.
Driving Transformation and Inclusivity: Engelbrecht committedly drives transformation and inclusivity within Clicks Group and beyond. She leads initiatives that promote diversity and ensures that the company’s workforce and leadership reflect the broader society. Her vision for an inclusive business environment is a significant source of motivation.

7. Why Is Bertina Engelbrecht Such a Role Model?

Bertina Engelbrecht stands as a role model as a result of her qualities or successes like:

Breaking Barriers: Engelbrecht’s journey to becoming the first black female CEO of a listed retail group in South Africa is a groundbreaking achievement. Her rise to the top in a male-dominated industry serves as an inspiration to many.
Advocacy for Gender Equality and Diversity: Throughout her career, Engelbrecht has been a staunch advocate for gender equality and diversity in the workplace. She has implemented policies and initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity and ensuring that leadership roles are accessible to women and underrepresented groups. Her commitment to these values marks a tangible impact on the corporate culture at Clicks Group.
Commitment to Education and Lifelong Learning: Engelbrecht’s academic achievements, including a Master’s degree in Commercial Law, underscore the transformative power of education. She supports initiatives that promote education and skill development, especially in underserved communities, highlighting the importance of lifelong learning.
Community Support and Mentorship: Because of the impact of the support of her family, mentors, and community on Engelbrecht’s success, she committedly gives back by mentoring others and fostering a supportive environment within her organization. This sense of community and the desire to uplift others is a key aspect of her leadership style.
Fairness and Equity: Engelbrecht emphasizes the importance of fairness and equity in all aspects of business. She strives to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, race, or background, has the opportunity to flourish and succeed. This commitment to equity reflects in her leadership style and the policies she advocates for at Clicks Group.
Driving of Transformation and Inclusivity: Engelbrecht dedicatedly drives transformation and inclusivity within Clicks Group and beyond. She leads initiatives intending to promote diversity and ensure that the company’s workforce and leadership reflect the broader society. Her vision for an inclusive business environment is a significant source of motivation.

8. What Is Bertina Engelbrecht Currently Working On?

Bertina Engelbrecht is leading several key initiatives, including:

Encouraging Change and Diversity: Engelbrecht is spearheading a plan to invest over R4.5 billion in black women-owned suppliers over the next three years. This initiative aims to promote economic growth and support local businesses, particularly women-owned establishments.
Driving Transformation and Inclusivity: Under her leadership, Clicks Group continues to prioritize transformation and inclusivity. This includes conducting evaluations like the Women’s Empowerment Gender Gap Analysis to ensure equity within the organization and identifying areas for improvement.
Strategic Growth and Sustainability: Engelbrecht is focused on maintaining the company’s growth trajectory and ensuring sustainable business practices. This involves strategic decision-making and fostering a collaborative and accountable culture within the organization.

9. What Could Slow Bertina Engelbrecht Down?

Bertina Engelbrecht faces several significant challenges in her role as CEO of Clicks Group, such as:

Economic and Market Conditions: The challenges from the South African economy, including COVID-19 impacts, civil unrest, and ongoing load shedding, can indeed affect consumer behavior and business stability. These are critical factors influencing Clicks Group’s operations.
Systemic Barriers and Biases: Overcoming systemic barriers and biases in a male-dominated industry remains an ongoing challenge for Engelbrecht. Her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion are crucial in navigating and addressing these issues.
Operational Disruptions: Issues like load shedding and supply chain disruptions can disrupt operations and require proactive management strategies to mitigate their impact.
Consumer Behavior Shifts: Adapting to shifts in consumer behavior, especially post-pandemic, is essential for Clicks Group to remain competitive and meet customer needs effectively.
Leadership Transition: Successfully building on the momentum of a predecessor involves strategic planning and decisive leadership, ensuring continuity and growth for the company.

10. What Can You Learn From Bertina Engelbrecht?

Here are some valuable lessons to pick from Bertina Engelbrecht’s story:

Resilience and Perseverance: Engelbrecht’s ascent from a rural town in the Eastern Cape to becoming the first black female CEO of a listed retail group in South Africa underscores the power of resilience. Despite encountering systemic barriers and biases, she demonstrates that determination and hard work can overcome significant obstacles.
The Importance of Education: Her academic accomplishments, including a Master’s degree in Commercial Law, highlight education’s pivotal role in personal and professional growth. Engelbrecht’s journey exemplifies how education can unlock opportunities and serve as a foundation for a successful career.
Advocacy for Diversity and Inclusion: Engelbrecht’s dedication to gender equality and workplace diversity underscores the significance of inclusive leadership. Through initiatives promoting opportunities for women and underrepresented groups, she illustrates how diverse leadership enhances business outcomes.
Adaptability and Versatility: Transitioning from law to human resources and then to executive leadership, Engelbrecht’s career path emphasizes the value of adaptability and versatility. Her ability to excel in diverse roles underscores the importance of continuous learning and embracing new challenges.
Community Support and Mentorship: Engelbrecht attributes much of her success to community support and mentorship from family, mentors, and colleagues. This highlights the importance of building a strong support network and paying it forward through mentorship.

Pro Tips

Here are some tips from Bertina Engelbrecht’s leadership journey:
- Embrace Authenticity: Engelbrecht underscores the importance of authenticity in leadership. By staying true to her values and principles, she builds trust and respect among her team and stakeholders.
- Advocate for Diversity and Inclusion: She champions gender equality and workplace diversity, implementing policies that ensure leadership roles are accessible to everyone, fostering a more inclusive environment.
- Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Engelbrecht’s diverse career path highlights the significance of continuous learning and adaptability. Embracing new challenges and opportunities for growth is crucial for personal and professional development.
- Mentorship and Community Support: She attributes much of her success to strong support networks and mentorship. Engelbrecht encourages others to build similar networks and pay it forward through mentorship, nurturing a culture of mutual support.
- Focus on People: Her people-centric leadership style prioritizes employee well-being and fosters a supportive work environment, which she believes leads to enhanced business outcomes.
- Strategic Vision and Resilience: Leading through adversity, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, requires strategic foresight and resilience. Engelbrecht’s ability to navigate challenges while ensuring business continuity and employee safety exemplifies strong leadership.

Summary

Bertina Engelbrecht makes history as the first Black woman to lead a listed retail group in South Africa and stands as a trailblazer in the corporate world. Her journey to becoming the CEO of Clicks Group showcases her resilience, hard work, and dedication to education, and her extensive experience and dedication to the company since 2006.

With a background in human resources and a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Cape Town, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction and growth of Clicks Group. Her leadership at Clicks Group is characterized by a blend of business acumen, compassion, and a commitment to sustainable transformation, and gender equality and diversity in the workplace, making her a formidable force in the retail and healthcare sectors. Her rise to the top despite humble beginnings demonstrates that with determination and support, anyone can achieve great dreams.