​Natalie Reddy-Singh was born and raised in the vibrant heart of Lenasia and is our focus this week as part of profiling women in leadership for Women's Month.
Reddy-Singh has crafted a remarkable path that represent curiosity, determination, and an unyielding spirit. Her background is a testament to the transformative power of education, politics, and her unwavering commitment to making a meaningful impact in society.

From humble beginnings, with parents who defied the odds to support her university education, she ventured into the corporate world. Beginning as a trainee at the Auditor-General’s Office, she steadily climbed the ranks to become a Technical Manager. These early experiences set in her the value of hard work and the pursuit of excellence. The culmination of seven years of relentless dedication led her to achieve the prestigious designation of Chartered Accountant with SAICA in 2006.

Her path, however, took an unexpected turn as her passion for politics grew stronger, ignited by an encounter with the iconic Nelson Mandela during her youth. While her dream of becoming the first black, female President of South Africa was palpable, life led her down a different avenue the realm of auditing within the Public Service.

Transitioning from an Audit Manager for Government Departments and Entities to the Chief Risk Officer of the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD), she seized the opportunity to cross the aisle. For over a decade, she has harnessed her skills to reinforce Risk Management, Integrity Management, and Anti-fraud and Corruption initiatives.

Through her journey, she has exhibited limitless appetite for growth. She has accomplished certifications as an Ethics Officer with The Ethics Institute and as a CRM Practitioner with the Institute of Risk Management (IRMSA). During her tenure, the department achieved a remarkable Risk Maturity score of 3.9, a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence.

As one of the few females in her field, she has encountered obstacles, having to prove her worth in a male-dominated arena. Her youth, as the youngest SMS member in the Department for years, posed additional challenges.

Yet, she forged ahead, surpassing adversities to build relationships and inspire change. As she stepped into her role as a Director, her sights were firmly set on transformation. Reddy-Singh aspires to secure a sustainable clean audit status, institutionalize Ethics Management, and elevate the Department's risk maturity. Her goal is to foster a balance between performance excellence and good governance across all levels.

To young women aspiring to leadership, her words resonate with wisdom: “I WAS BORN TO SUCCEED, I will not fail!” These words, echoing through her journey, epitomize her tenacity. And, as she imparts further counsel: "If you don’t like where you are, move, you are not a tree," she offers a reminder that change is always within reach.