Kellanova (formerly Kellogg’s), a global leader in food manufacturing, is showcasing its dedication to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) by launching a Mother’s Room facility at its Springs manufacturing plant in Ekurhuleni in honour of National Breastfeeding Week.
Leading the talks at the launch was renowned interdisciplinary industry powerhouse and businesswoman Kelobogile Mabotja, who also shared her journey of being a mom and her passion to talk about experiences that women go through.
Mabotja, who expressed her excitement when she saw the facility, spoke about the importance of women having spaces where they feel comfortable.
The new facility offers private spaces for breastfeeding mothers to pump and store milk, providing a supportive environment for employees returning from maternity leave.
It also includes educational resources on breakfast feeding, a kitchenette fitted with a steriliser, microwave, and sink for cleaning and sanitising pump parts and bottles, and a coffee station offering lactation biscuits.
Two private rooms are available with comfortable seating, proper lighting, and space for pumping necessities, along with complimentary nursing pads and nipple creams for additional employee care.
Kellanova has also allocated reserved parking spots near the plant entrance for pregnant employees to reduce their walking.
Corporate Affairs Director Kellanova Zandile Mposelwa emphasises the company’s commitment to promoting women’s empowerment by fostering growth opportunities and removing barriers, aiming to create an enabling environment.
“It is National Breastfeeding Week; we are at the end of it; that is the first thing. And secondly, being a day where Kellanova showcases and demonstrates a commitment to support women in different life stages. For us, it is important because when we talk about equity, diversity, and inclusion, we are not only talking about increasing women’s representation but enabling them, and there is a huge difference between the two.
“Having a high number of women is just statistics, but it is about how we make them fulfilled as the organisation. Because when they are fulfilled, they are at their best, and when they are at their best, they help a business deliver; that is the thinking behind it.”
Mposelwa further says the company fosters an environment of inclusiveness, belonging, and allyship through programs like Women of Kellanova (WOK), the company’s Business Employee Resource Group.
According to her, this enables workers to reach their greatest potential and present their “genuine whole selves” to work.
Philip Nieman, general manager at Kellanova South Africa, said Kellanova’s strategy focusses on equity, diversity, and inclusion, empowering women through growth opportunities and removing barriers, with the Mother’s Rooms Facility at the Springs manufacturing plant being a key initiative.
“Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) is at the heart of our strategy at Kellanova. The company believes women's empowerment extends beyond parity to creating opportunities for growth and removing barriers to create an inclusive and enabling environment for women to thrive.
“The Mother’s Room Facility in the Springs Manufacturing Plant is a step forward in that direction. We have been on a progressive journey to increase women’s representation in our workforce, and I am pleased that today, women represent 41% of our total workforce, with 52% of women in managerial roles,” he said.
The organisation also assists women in their early and middle career stages to gain leadership skills and grow in their jobs through initiatives like the “WOK Bloom” programme.
The Men as Allies programme is another initiative designed to encourage inclusivity by involving male staff members in discussions that advance gender equality in a significant way.
The Star