Every August, South Africa observes Women's Month, a moment to pause, honour and celebrate the strength, resilience and contribution of women in every walk of life. As we continue this annual Women's Month series, now in its fourth year, we're once again turning the spotlight on the extraordinary women of Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa who help shape our culture, drive our business and build our future.
As Women's Month draws to a close, we're continuing to share stories of women who lead with purpose, challenge the status quo and inspire those around them, from trailblazers driving meaningful change to those making a difference in ways big and small every day. Each story is a reflection of the values, determination and drive that keep our business moving forward.
Continuing this year's series with Priya Pillay, Manufacturing Safety Manager from the Silverton Assembly Plant.
Who is Priya Pillay? Tell us more about yourself.
Definitely, a people person, problem solver and someone who believes life should be lived with purpose, passion and a good sense of humour!
I’m passionate about safety, people and making a difference, but there’s definitely more to me than my job title. Outside of work, I’m certainly a family girl, loves to laugh, be outdoors and experience the occasional adventure. I’m curious, driven and always up for a challenge. I take my work seriously, but I don’t believe you have to take yourself too seriously at the same time. There should always be room for a little fun, a little spice and plenty of love.
Your career has taken some interesting turns, can you walk us through your journey and how you ended up in the automotive industry?
My career has been anything but conventional, and I am grateful for the diverse experiences that have shaped who I am today. I began my journey from working with environmental projects focused on climate change awareness, Offshore oil drilling/fracking and sustainable livelihoods. This role gave me the opportunity to travel extensively and engage with people from all walks of life, broadening my perspective on just about anything.
From there, I moved into parastatal environments and later into private consulting, where my work expanded across construction, engineering and mining, all still in SHEQ. Each industry taught me something different and helped me build a broader understanding of risk, people, leadership and operational environments.
And then came the automotive industry. Joining Ford was another exciting chapter and certainly came with a new set of challenges. Manufacturing is fast-paced, complex and constantly evolving, which makes it incredibly rewarding.
Do you have any pets? If so, tell us about them, what's their name, and what makes them so special?
Absolutely! I have a dog who is very much part of the family. He is a gorgeous English golden retriever named Oliver, He goes by many strange names I’ve made up randomly, but the most common one is Olly 😊
There’s something special about the unconditional love and energy a dog brings into your home. No matter how busy or challenging the day has been, they have a way of making everything feel a little lighter. They also have a remarkable ability to know when you need some company, usually without being asked!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work to unwind or recharge?
Spending time with family is probably my favorite way to recharge but to unwind I would have to say playing golf, although I’m not sure my golf game always finds it as relaxing as I do! I enjoy being outdoors, getting away from the daily routine and doing things that allow me to switch off mentally. Sometimes recharging doesn’t have to mean doing something extraordinary; it can simply be good food, good company, and a good laugh.
What's your go-to karaoke song (even if you'd never actually sing it in public)?
Let’s just say I’m much more confident singing in the car than I would be standing on a karaoke stage! I mean my concerts are a sell out in the shower guys.
My go-to would have to be something upbeat and fun, the kind of song that gets everyone singing along, whether they can actually sing or not. I think karaoke is less about having a good voice and more about having the confidence to commit to the performance!
It really depends on the mood, but it can range from Whitney’s belting “I Will Always Love You” to Cyndi's “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”, and if I'm feeling it on the day, it can even be a good Kendrick Lamar song too.
If you were a car (given where you work), what make/model would you be and why?
I would be a mix of both the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 bold, fun, powerful, a little rebellious with a serious attitude and then maybe a Ford Ranger Platinum, Strong, capable, dependable and ready to handle whatever gets thrown its way, but with a sophisticated and refined side too.
What's a simple everyday thing that always makes you smile or brings you joy?
I appreciate the little moments, a good laugh with a colleague, spending time with family, enjoying a beautiful day, or having one of those conversations that leaves you smiling long after it’s over.
I think we sometimes wait for the big moments to make us happy, when there is actually so much joy in the everyday things.
If you could instantly teleport anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
Hmm… let’s see, somewhere beautiful, peaceful, great scenery, goof food, but then very quickly realise that the destination almost becomes secondary, it’s the opportunity to pause, explore and make memories that appeals to me more with the people that matter the most more than the actual place.
What does Women's Month mean to you, personally?
It’s about recognising the strength, resilience, achievements and contributions of women that have left us, but also about creating opportunities for the women coming behind us. Personally, I think it’s also about celebrating the women who have supported, inspired and challenged us along the way in whatever capacity for us to raise the bar and pave a smoother path.
What message would you like to share with other women at Ford (and beyond) who are looking to embrace new opportunities and lead with confidence?
My message would be, don’t wait until you feel completely ready, sometimes you have to step forward and grow into the opportunity.
Say yes to the challenge. Put your hand up. Ask the question. Take the seat at the table. And if there isn’t a seat for you, be brave enough to create one!
You don’t need to have every answer, and you certainly don’t need to be perfect. Women belong in every room, every industry and every level of leadership. We don’t all have to lead in the same way, and we don’t have to fit a particular mould to be successful. Confidence doesn’t mean knowing everything; it means trusting yourself enough to keep learning, keep asking and keep moving forward.
And most importantly, be yourself. Bring your own voice, your own perspective and your own strengths to the table. There is only one you and that is your competitive advantage.