Long Service Awards: Edward Setati
PG Bison honours the journey of long-serving employees for being part of the change by committing to building the company’s future. We take this opportunity to profile employees with the remarkable milestone of over 40 years of service by telling their stories and highlighting their progress within the company.
Edward Setati is married with seven children. He started working for PG Bison as a tea maker at the age of 22, during the installation of the SupaWood plant. After the plant installation, he was selected to undergo training to run production. In August 1982, he was appointed as a Quality Controller and in 1984, he was promoted to Senior Lab Quality Controller. Edward was also part of the PG Bison soccer team, which is one of his favourite sports.
What is your role within PG Bison and what do you love most about it?
I’m currently a Lab Foreman, and I got promoted to this role in 1989. In the lab, we analyse the quality of the boards and test all the raw and finished products. One thing I will say is that I’m passionate about my job, and I’m proud to be part of the manufacturing process. My team’s daily duties are to ensure that we deliver the best quality boards possible. Manufacturing is not like any other industry; you must know and understand the processes and ensure that you do your job right all the time.
What makes you proud to work for PG Bison?
PG Bison continues to create employment, and witnessing the company’s development makes me proud, because I know that my department contributes to the growth of the company.
How has your experience with the company been?
Well, the experience in the company has been valuable to me as I was given the opportunity to attend courses to learn more about my line of work, and they have always appreciated my efforts and supported me as I developed my skills.
What is one thing you wish more people knew about you?
I’m a very stern person, new employees in our department pass through my coaching and I want to ensure that the people I train and monitor produce quality products.
What are your future career goals?
I wouldn’t say I have future goals because I have served my years as a committed individual. I have aged and I have to handover the baton to a younger more active individual.
What are your greatest achievements during your time at PG Bison?
When I started working here, I had form 3 (Junior Certificate), which is now known as grade 10. I continued my studies by attending night school to obtain my matric. The company enrolled me at the University of the Witwatersrand to study quality inspection, and I also obtained a one-year diploma in the junior development management programme. There were other courses that were lectured to us in the company, for instance, the continuous management development programme and computer one-on-one coaching. I’m proud to say that PG Bison has made me the person I am today!
Word of advice
I believe that education is the key to success and that being multi-skilled allows you to be exposed to better opportunities.
