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Mon Sep 30 05:45:00 UTC 2019
![Kulsum Sambo, Regional Manager Kulsum Sambo started as a cashier when she was 19 years old. Now, 40 years later, she is a Regional Manager for Shoprite’s Western Cape division.](/articles/Newsroom/2019/From-cashier-to-regional-manager-at-Africas-largest-food-retailer/_jcr_content/root/container/container/image_1877159540.coreimg.jpeg/1569822163873/kalsum-sambo-3.jpeg)
In a world where the gig economy, characterized by short-term contracts and freelance work, is said to account for up to 35% of the workforce in developed countries, it’s unusual to find employees such as Kulsum Sambo who have worked for the same company for several decades, yet the Shoprite Group has a number of employees who have spent their entire careers with the retailer.
Kulsum Sambo started as a cashier at the OK Bazaars store in Cape Town’s Kenilworth Centre in April 1979 when she was 19 years old. Now, 40 years later, she is a Regional Manager for Shoprite’s Western Cape division. (The Shoprite Group purchased OK Bazaars in 1997.)
- Kulsum Sambo, Regional Manager for Shoprite’s Western Cape division
Kulsum says ongoing training courses and development programmes at the Shoprite Group, which makes it easier to get ahead if you are willing to work hard and take opportunities.
- Kulsum Sambo
![Kulsum Sambo climbed the corporate ladder: from cashier to Regional Manager Kulsum Sambo started as a cashier when she was 19 years old. Now, 40 years later, she is a Regional Manager for Shoprite’s Western Cape division. Kulsum says there is ongoing training courses and development programmes at the Shoprite Group, which makes it easier to get ahead if you are willing to work hard and take opportunities. “No one at Shoprite can complain about not being able to develop their skills because we have job security and ongoing initiatives that give people a chance to learn and advance their careers. They keep an eye out for talent here and if you’re keen, you’ll get ahead,” says Kulsum.](/articles/Newsroom/2019/From-cashier-to-regional-manager-at-Africas-largest-food-retailer/_jcr_content/root/container/container/image.coreimg.jpeg/1569822158695/kalsum-sambo-1.jpeg)
Over the years, Kulsum has completed numerous training and business management courses and progressed through various positions at different Shoprite stores. As a Regional Manager, she now oversees seven stores.
- Kulsum Sambo
In her spare time, Kulsum loves to travel and has been to about 60 countries across North and South America, the Middle East, the Far East, Europe and all over Africa.
Kulsum’s role model is the Group’s CEO, Pieter Engelbrecht.
- Kulsum Sambo