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- Beverly Malebathi started out as a cook at KFC in 2003 and today, she is the franchise business consultant at the fast-food chain.
- She wanted to study nursing but couldn't secure funding so she moved to Johannesburg to find a job.
- She advises others to set goals for themselves.
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Beverly Malebathi, a long-standing member of the KFC family, climbed the corporate ladder at the fast-food chain, from the rank of humble cook to franchise business consultant, thanks to her perseverance, dedication, and ambition.
The 41-year-old began her journey with KFC in 2003 as a food service team member and worked tirelessly in the back of the house.
There, she mastered the art of cooking the colonel's famous fried chicken and other meals.
But her aspirations would lead her far beyond the deep fryer.
Malebathi knew that she wanted much more for herself and she was determined to work her way up.
Within a few months, she as promoted.
"I have always wanted to see myself successful. There were lots of opportunities to better my career. I was promoted to cashier service team member within six months. In a year, I was running shifts appointed as a shift supervisor," she told News24.
In 2008, Malebathi climbed up another ladder and was appointed store manager, thanks to the support she received from KFC's operations manager and training department.
Reflecting on her journey, she said: "Honestly, it was not an easy road, but with determination and a desire to achieve more, I made it. I still see more growth in the future within our organisation. A 100% positive mindset really works. Seeing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning from all the mistakes took me this far. I am currently the franchise business consultant."
It's an achievement Malebathi doesn't take for granted, especially considering her humble beginnings in Mmametlhake.
As one of six children, Malebathi experienced challenges finding better career opportunities due to a lack of funds for tertiary education.
"It certainly was tough because I was not afforded the opportunity to go to university for other career prospects. I had no luck with sponsorship or bursaries, and I had initially planned to do nursing at the University of North West where I was accepted. Unfortunately, my financial background was a big challenge, so I had to leave home and go to Johannesburg to look for a job," she said.
Through her hard work and determination, the 41-year-old has proven that people can exceed their expectations. She finds personal fulfilment in her current role and serves as a beacon of inspiration for many others at KFC.
But Malebathi wants even more.
"There are a lot of benefits that I have had the privilege of experiencing. The company gave me many opportunities to upskill and develop myself. I did Level 5 in generic management through KFC's Streetwise Academy. My biggest dream is to achieve an MBA" she told News24.
Asked about her words of encouragement for others in the organisation, Malebathi said: "Be intentional about what you want to achieve and set goals and targets for yourself. Remember, when you do good, you're not doing it for anyone but yourself. Have patience in what you do and, most importantly, believe in yourself."
