At the heart of every successful organisation are the people who bring its strategy, values and ambitions to life. For Janet Frost, Human Resources Director at UD Trucks Southern Africa, building that capability means creating an environment where people can develop, contribute and see a future for themselves within the organisation.
For Janet, this starts with understanding that people are not simply filling positions on an organisational chart. Recruitment is about finding individuals with the right capabilities, cultural fit, drive and potential to contribute to the next chapter of the business.
“Employees shouldn’t simply be viewed as a cost to the business,” Janet says. “Their knowledge, skills, commitment and everyday decisions determine whether an organisation succeeds. When people feel valued, respected and equipped to perform, they become a source of capability, innovation and competitive advantage.”
Creating opportunities that matter
That people-focused approach extends beyond recruitment into skills development, employment and transformation.
UD Trucks Southern Africa continues to invest in initiatives that create pathways into the workplace, including apprenticeships, YES4Youth and programmes supporting young people living with disabilities. These initiatives help provide valuable work experience and skills while contributing to the development of a stronger talent pipeline for the future.
“I’m most proud of the impact these programmes have on people who may otherwise face barriers to entering the workplace,” Janet says. “When someone completes a programme, secures permanent employment, progresses into a more responsible role or uses that experience to build a successful career, our investment has created an impact that extends beyond the individual to their families and communities.”
The organisation’s transformation efforts have also received recognition from the South African automotive industry. At the 2024 and 2025 naamsa Accelerator Awards, UD Trucks Southern Africa received three awards: Job Creator – MHCV Employment, Youth Empowering – MHCV and Women Empowering – MHCV.
These achievements reflect the collective efforts of the business to create employment opportunities, develop young talent and support greater inclusion within the medium and heavy commercial vehicle sector.
The company has also strengthened its transformation journey through its achievement of B-BBEE Level 3, demonstrating continued progress towards building a more inclusive and empowered organisation.
Creating space for different perspectives
For Janet, diversity is not simply about representation. It is about creating an environment where people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives can contribute meaningfully.
“The real value of diversity is realised when every employee feels respected, included and confident that their contribution will be heard.”
This is particularly important in an industry that has traditionally been male dominated. Creating opportunities for women across different areas of the business — from leadership and sales to technical and operational roles — helps broaden the talent pool while challenging perceptions about where women can build careers in the commercial vehicle industry.
The recognition of UD Trucks Southern Africa through the Women Empowering – MHCV category at the naamsa Accelerator Awards is a reflection of the importance the organisation places on creating these opportunities.
Investing in people, strengthening the business
For Janet, the connection between people and business performance is clear.
In the commercial vehicle industry, skilled technicians help maximise customer uptime, knowledgeable teams strengthen dealer and customer support, and capable leaders help the organisation respond to changing technology, customer expectations and skills requirements.
Investing in people therefore goes beyond an HR agenda. It strengthens the capability of the entire organisation.
As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, Janet’s story highlights the role that people-focused leadership can play in creating opportunities, developing talent and building a more inclusive workplace.
“For me, creating a strong workplace means creating an environment where people feel valued, supported and able to grow. When people are given the opportunity to develop and contribute, they strengthen not only the business, but the communities around them.”
