Edwin Naidu
Fathima Beckmann, a former student at the Drakensberg Secondary School in Estcourt, is blazing a trail worldwide. She handles many roles with aplomb as a global intercultural, diversity, equity, and inclusion, communications strategic adviser, thought leader, and non-executive director.
Beckmann partners with private, public and community sectors to drive societal and industrial transformation worldwide.
But it all began at a rural school 80 kilometres from the famous Drakensberg Mountains. Beckmann was an intelligent, enquiring learner.
Today, she is an internationally experienced executive leader with global experience in governance and strategy, diversity, equity, inclusion, communications and thought leadership in the tech, telco and media industries.
Beckmann has held regional leadership roles with technology giants from Intel Corp, Microsoft, Huawei and Multichoice in Johannesburg and Dubai in the UAE.
Most recently, as senior vice-president at Paramount Global, Beckmann led diversity, equity and inclusion, and communication efforts across different global markets, advocating for a culture of integration, gender equity, and inclusive leadership.
Beckmann´s expertise lies in mobilising multicultural teams, fostering impactful partnerships, and driving strategic alliances.
She has been a non-executive director/advisory member for 15 years on NGOs focused on empowering youth and communities on boards from the Eskom Science Expo, Mindset Education, the Maths Centre, Cotlands, The Delta Environmental Centre and UNICEF.
Her qualifications include fostering and advancing diversity and inclusion from the INSEAD Business School in Fontainebleau, France, and Yale University in the US. She is a Women in Cable Telecommunications Global Rising Women Leaders Program graduate with a BA in Communications from the University of South Africa.
Fathima Beckmann’s Favourite Teacher
What was their name?
Mr Omar Essack.
What high school did you attend, and when?
Drakensberg Secondary School, Escourt, Kwazulu-Natal, 1987 to 1991.
How did your favourite teacher endear themself to you?
As young students, Omar reminded us there was a big world to explore, discover, and create. His teaching style, fuelled by creativity, began to shape my creative journey through communication. He always ensured we had fun and laughed.
This was a big part of his approach and inspired a natural learning style. His classes sparked curiosity and critical thinking, encouraging us to question and challenge our social environment and experiences through education and learning.
This unequivocally contributed to my long-term consideration of social impact, influence, life achievement, and perspectives. This was a crucial inspiration for students during the apartheid era.
What subject did he teach you?
English.
Did you look forward to the subject?
Absolutely, because we would always go beyond our textbook content through debate, discussion, and creative thinking. I also valued that he was aware of the class’s energy and dynamics and adapted his teaching style to the student’s needs, which was very progressive for that time.
What did you like about your teacher?
Omar’s style was approachable, accessible, and kind. He was comfortable discussing difficult and uncomfortable topics and encouraged diversity of thought and debate. Through laughter and creativity, he helped us see the lighter side of life. Always respectful, he was original and authentic in his approach, encouraging youthful expression. Art and creativity are essential to human expression, self-discovery, and confidence. Omar always supported our artistic and creative endeavours through theatre, dance, writing, comedy sketches, or debate.
What was your favourite subject at school?
I loved school and our community of phenomenal teachers and students. I had many favourite subjects, mainly English, sports, and computer science. I received the Sports Girl of the Year and Victrix Ludorum awards, which was a massive achievement. I remember getting an Indian Delights cookbook and my primary school trophy for my Sports Girl Award. I still have the cookbook, which is well-worn from the many delicious meals I’ve prepared for my family and friends.
Has this influenced your career choice, mindful of how your amazing journey has evolved globally?
Yes, this phase in high school was instrumental in shaping my long-term career in global communication, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech and media industries. I was on the debating and speech team and represented our school in competitions.
Omar became a trailblazer in the media and broadcasting industry, from English teacher to DJ, ENCA news anchor, CEO of Kagiso Broadcasting and Primedia and is currently part of a global broadcasting leadership team.
His passion for media and creativity ignited my academic and professional career pursuits in the arts, media, and
communication. Growing up during apartheid in a racially segregated society inspired my purpose and passion in advocating for, advancing and co-creating global inclusion and impact at scale.
What was the one phrase from any teacher that stuck with you or inspired you?
My lecturer and incredible mentor in college and PRISA Chair, Don Macey, consistently encouraged me with ‘Sky’s the Limit!’, reminding me of our unlimited potential to achieve what we are inspired to create.
Have you kept in touch with your favourite teacher?
Yes, we have regularly met throughout the years and continue our connection. Omar lives in Portugal, and I am in Madrid, Spain, which makes us neighbours in Europe.
If so, what was the first meeting like after being a learner in the classroom?
Throughout the years, Omar has shared industry learnings and guidance with me. He remains a champion and cheerleader for my achievements. As a mentor now, I aim to continue this circle of student-teacher inspiration. His humility has greatly inspired me in my leadership journey.
Why are teachers so important to society?
From my experience, a teacher’s most important role in a student’s life is inspiring a love for the journey and the gift of lifelong learning filled with curiosity and a desire to evolve and grow into our full potential consistently.
Finally, what advice do you have for learners, especially girls?
First, be you! Listen, absorb, observe, and learn from those who have walked before us. Honour and give gratitude to your ancestors. Be curious and courageous; know that you deserve to create the life and world you envision. Raise your socioeconomic and political consciousness. Surround yourself with an authentic tribe of mentors, enablers, and champions.
June was Youth Month. What would be your message for the youth of South Africa?
To every young citizen in our country and across the African continent: your dreams are valid, you are deserving of global recognition, your skills, leadership, and innovation are essential, your voices matter, and your creativity is the future currency for generational change and sustainability.
Insights from a much-loved teacher-turned-broadcaster
Inside Education tracked down Omar Essack in Portugal and asked him to reflect on Fathima Beckmann and share some
classroom memories. This was his response:
“Fathima stood out because she asked questions and always volunteered an opinion.
“As you will know, this is rare among students, despite the environment a teacher may create to encourage a dialogue. She was never afraid to offer a contrarian viewpoint, making lessons much more enjoyable.
“Sometimes, when teaching, I could sense that Fathima would challenge the prevailing consensus or offer an alternative
viewpoint – her expression changed, and I could feel a hint of scepticism in her facial expression. A quality that was all too rare and certainly welcomed in my classroom.
“Watching Fathima excel fills everyone who knows her with great pride at her achievements. It means she’s fulfilled the
potential she’s always had.
“She deserves an enormous amount of respect and admiration because she’s proven that coming from a small town in rural KZN, from a school that would rarely have had experienced teachers (many of us were fresh graduates, deployed to Drakensberg Secondary as our first posting and would be gone in 12 to 24 months) is not an obstacle for an extraordinary career with global reach and impact.
“I remember reading in one of my education course journals that ‘surprising the brain’ with something unexpected has a lasting impact on students – surprise results in greater attention and better retention, which are crucial to learning.
“This insight has meaningfully impacted my career as a teacher, a radio and TV presenter, and an executive running radio stations and media companies.
“It influenced my approach to lessons and the classroom. Later, the film ‘Dead Poets Society’ inspired a greater belief in doing different things differently and doing things differently.
“I’m a fan of the Monty Python TV series and the late actor Robin Williams. Perhaps their energy and style rubbed off on my classroom practice. I didn’t copy my own teachers in the classroom, although many of them were excellent practitioners.
“The Monty Python fandom resulted in the community of Estcourt watching an adaptation of Monty Python’s ‘Four Yorkshireman’ at the local community hall for the annual Drakensberg Secondary Festival without the unintelligible Yorkshire accents. Did it land? The students playing the roles certainly ‘ad a reet good time’.”
INSIDE EDUCATION
