In today’s increasingly competitive world, companies and organisations are becoming more focused on empowering their people in order to help them fulfil their full potential in their careers and in the workplace generally. Irisha Luhanga is one entrepreneur with a passion for human capital and with her company, Redefine Human Capital, she is redefining the way people view their work and helping them to align it to their true purpose.

LoA found out more about this social entrepreneur on a mission and about her vision for the future, in both her work life and in terms of her commitment to give back to society.

Tell us more about your company and its mission

As the CEO of Redefine Human Capital and also as a social entrepreneur, my passion can be seen through my drive to serve individuals and organisations with the support they need to reach their full potential. My aim is to redefine the way people view their work by aligning it to their purpose. As a wife and mother of two, I understand what it means to be a modern day business women, turning challenges into opportunities on a daily basis.

"My aim is to redefine the way people view their work by aligning it to their purpose."

Tell us about the inspiration to go into the human capital field

As a creative and dynamic executive in the corporate world, I developed a reputation for mentoring junior colleagues and championing cultural understanding. It was during this time, while working as a Human Resource Manager that I observed how many people resigned due to stress, being unhappy and unfulfilled in their work environment. Most staff were not aligned to their life purpose and felt that they were pushing paper rather than making a difference. Redefine Human Capital was born as a result of this gap – our objective is to redefine the way people view work, aligning their purpose with what they do on a daily basis, resulting in happier, more productive workers. People want to work in organisations that empower and support them in realising their potential. Redefine focuses on organisational development by encouraging our clients to see the ability of their staff and to fully embrace and work with the potential that their people have to offer.

Why should anyone use your service or product?

My company Redefine Human Capital is a strategic human resource provider, delivering high quality leadership and organisational solutions in the areas of Recruitment, Career Management and Human Resource Consulting. Our prime role is to assist our clients to identify needs, develop an action plan and facilitate change to enhance the success of their organisations. Our management, human resource, and training services are designed to improve productivity, efficiency, communication and employee morale.

"As a wife and mother of two, I understand what it means to be a modern day business women, turning challenges into opportunities on a daily basis."

Tell us about your vision for your company

Redefine Human Capital aims to contribute significantly to human capital development across the continent with its main focus being South Africa. The organisation is committed to providing services that will enable clients to optimize the development and use of human capital so as to achieve their strategic objectives. This is achieved through the provision of effective Learning Solutions and Human Resources Consulting services so that clients too can excel in rendering their services to their clients.

You are also a social entrepreneur, share with us a little more about your activities in that space

I am a founding member of Visions of Joy, which is an NGO providing basic needs to underprivileged youth, whilst also facilitating infrastructure projects to improve their lives. I am a frequent participant in pledge-generating opportunities, serving a number ofcharitable causes and the greater good. Giving back means that we are all blessed to a blessing. Giving is part and parcel of who I am. Blessing others is not seen as an extension to myself, it is who I am. My motivation is love.

"As a mentor I give my time to empowering young people to redefine their purpose."

What gives you most satisfaction in your entrepreneurial life?

As a mentor I give my time to empowering young people to redefine their purpose. I have 10 mentees, these are all powerful young people who are driven to be the best version of themselves. My mentees include a lawyer, a pilot and university graduates. I also find joy in mentoring people who are in transition. These are people who may be out of work for a long time, and are not winning at interviews, and are trying to break through, back into the world of work. I saw how youth had lost hope in townships, girls falling pregnant by age 12, and I believe in teaching my clients that everything starts in the mind.

What do you do outside of your entrepreneurial life?

When I am not working and serving others, I sing in my local church choir and I love to partake in adrenaline pumping sports. So far, I have jumped out of a plane and off a bridge - I also love to travel off the beaten track. This year I plan to travel to Israel for my 40th birthday, and also identify business opportunities between the two countries.

Website: www.redefinehumancapital.co.za

Why LoA loves it….

Irisha Luhanga has had a long and successful career in her specialist field of expertise, and is an exceptionally well-regarded, accomplished search professional for multinational firms. She brings an exceptional combination of strategic and tactical intelligence, all of which has positioned her as the ideal candidate to assist global companies with talent searches and startups in new markets. However, her uniqueness can be seen in her work as a committed social entrepreneur, empowering others to fulfil their potential in the world, and there she is making a lasting mark. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa