SOUTH AFRICA – Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) has appointed Flora Jika as the new logistics director after working with the company for almost ten years, Business Day has reported.
Jika, a holder of master’s degree in industrial engineering from Wits University, joined CCBSA in 2008 after a four-year stint at Anglo American’s Witbank coalfields.
She said joining CCBSA, a subsidiary of the world’s largest beverage company
made her feel at home and realised she could grow her career at the company.
“It’s at Coca-Cola that I got to learn a few truths about myself, that I’m very spirited, you know.
I’m also quite resilient, those two qualities make me challenge the status quo.”
“Professionally,” she said.
“I could not be happier with the appointment because I dedicated my whole life in my career.”
“Right now, I’m reviewing the organisational structure to see if we have the right people, in the right seats, on the right bus,” added Jika.
“That’s all I’m doing right now and it’s taking a lot of time.”
While Coca-Cola produces 280 million cases of drinks per year, consumption has been shrinking due to sugar tax and stigma of obesity attached to Coca-Cola brand.
The government introduced the sugary beverages levy on April 1 with an aim to support the Department of Health’s ambitious goals of reducing diabetes, obesity and related diseases.
The appointment of the new logistics director came after Coca-Cola, through its Kenyan subsidiary Crown Beverages said it had signed a deal for distributorship of premium alcohol brands in the country.
