Marema is currently serving as vice chairperson of the Electrical Engineering and Allied Industries Association (EEAIA), a body that represents affiliated companies’ interests in the metal and steel industries.
At the Eaton, he is responsible for managing and working with the team to grow the business, coordinate local leadership efforts and drive stakeholder engagement, improve profitability, and ensure the company meets all legislative compliance.
We go behind the selfie with Marema to find out more about his new role, his favourite trend in the sector right now, and his secret to success.
Godfrey Marema: My role as plant manager and MD for South Africa at Eaton involves leading the manufacturing process at our Wadeville campus, while managing and working with the team to grow the business, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Marema: Eaton is going to play an even greater role in the energy transition that is now facing us, which I’m excited about. As a result, we are changing our processes, how we do things, how we train our people, and who we partner with, etc.
Marema: The manufacturing activity that has been increasing by over 10% monthly since October 2021. This is a good sign for our industry, and we hope the trend continues so we can continue contributing to South Africa’s economic growth.
Marema: My current dual role at Eaton, which allows me to get my hands dirty on the production shopfloor and work with the executive team to implement strategies that will help grow the business.
Marema: Throughout my 21 years of working in different industries and divisions, I have collected enough tools (academics call it “gravitas”) to come up with the best ideas in any environment.
Marema: I always tell myself “I’m not the brightest in the room”, that way I listen to others and ask questions. In my earlier years of working, I associated myself with the older and wiser people that had been in the industry for a long time, and I absorbed as much information from them, which I still use today.
Marema: I’m very passionate about employee development.
Marema: I love legal thrillers and currently reading The Client by John Grisham.
Marema: As a boy from a rural area, I didn’t grow up with a vision board but I was always driven and wanted to be the best in everything I do. This hasn’t changed, and my journey continues.
Marema: I would reduce the number of cabinet ministers and implement measures to contain operational costs.