Every successful organisation is shaped by leaders who understand that business is ultimately about people. For Thandeka Ngoma, Sales Director at Bridgestone Southern Africa, commercial success and people development go hand in hand. It is a philosophy that has defined a career spanning more than 20 years across sales, marketing, commercial strategy, financial services and executive leadership.
Today, she leads Bridgestone Southern Africa’s consumer sales strategy across retail, fleet and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) channels, driving commercial performance while strengthening the company’s relationships with customers and business partners across the region.
BUILDING A WINNING CAREER
Thandeka joined Bridgestone in 2017 and has steadily risen through the organisation, becoming the company’s first female Consumer Sales Director in 2020. Since then, she has helped strengthen Bridgestone’s market presence, develop strategic customer partnerships and foster a culture built on collaboration, innovation and high performance.
Her journey to the top is underpinned by a wealth of experience gained across some of the world’s most respected organisations. Before joining Bridgestone, she led Philips’ Personal Health and Coffee business across Africa, following earlier leadership positions at Procter & Gamble, Investec and Ernst & Young. The combination of commercial, marketing and financial expertise has given her a unique perspective on business leadership and long-term growth.
LEADING BEYOND BUSINESS
Leadership, however, extends far beyond sales targets and market share. In 2021, Thandeka’s contribution to business and society was recognised when she received the Positive Role Model in a Multinational Pan-African Company award at the 9th Annual Gender Mainstreaming Awards Southern Africa. The recognition celebrated her commitment to inclusive leadership, gender equality and empowering others to succeed.
Outside the corporate environment, she serves as Chairperson of The Character Company, a non-profit organisation dedicated to mentoring boys growing up without present fathers. It is a role that reflects her belief that leadership carries a responsibility to create opportunities and positively influence future generations.
A COMMITMENT TO LIFELONG LEARNING
Continuous learning has remained a defining characteristic throughout Thandeka’s career. In December 2025, she completed her Executive MBA at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, adding to an already impressive academic portfolio.
She also completed the Global Executive Development Programme at GIBS Business School, graduating as a Top Student, as well as the Management Advancement Programme at Wits Business School. Her academic qualifications are further supported by a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Information Systems from the University of the Witwatersrand and an Honours degree in Marketing Management from the University of South Africa (UNISA).
DRIVING THE FUTURE
As the automotive industry continues to evolve through changing customer expectations, digital transformation and new mobility solutions, leaders capable of balancing commercial performance with people development have never been more important.
For Thandeka Ngoma, success is measured not only by business results, but by the teams she builds, the leaders she develops and the opportunities she creates for others. It is a leadership philosophy that continues to strengthen Bridgestone Southern Africa while helping shape a more inclusive and sustainable future for the industry.
LAST WORD
The automotive industry is changing at an unprecedented pace, but strong leadership remains timeless. Thandeka Ngoma’s journey demonstrates that sustainable growth is built on more than products and performance. It is built on empowering people, embracing continuous learning and creating opportunities for others to succeed. As Bridgestone Southern Africa continues to evolve, her leadership will undoubtedly play an important role in steering the company towards its next chapter.
Report by BRYAN KAYAVHU | Images © BRIDGESTONE SOUTHERN AFRICA
