COVER STORY
LEEASA on the way to deliver goals Nearly 18 months after introducing a new strategy for LEEASA, the board of directors are well on its way to delivering the goals it set out to achieve. It is a process that has not been without challenges, but the organisation is starting to see real change. Lifting Africa finds out more. By no means would one consider the LEEASA board of directors' new brooms anymore. They have, after all, been in office now for more than a year. When it comes to sweeping, however, there are no signs of them slowing down as they start to see the impact of the changes introduced. “The need for change was long overdue if the association was going to be able to meet its members' expectations and deliver value,” says chairman Ashley Davis. He is the first to admit that the past year and a half was not always easy, but that it was necessary. “LEEASA is now far more visible than it ever was and there is a clear understanding in the lifting community of the importance of a strong association. LEEASA is listening to its members and working for the better of the industry.” According to the board of director member Andries Agenbag, while it might still feel like yesterday that they took over, the directors have been extremely
proactive in identifying the change needed, not only in maintaining what the old committee had established but to enhance and uplift LEEASA into a new era where it meets the needs of the new generation. “This would have to be started with the new look of LEEASA. It was our first step as a board and it was very necessary to refresh the look and establish within the industry that change was taking place and LEEASA was turning over a new leaf.” Francois Blignaut, also on the board, agrees. “The change was necessary, but it was not necessarily easy to achieve. The start was slow and rocky. We had lots of resistance and retaliation and we were asked what we would do differently than the previous board of directors. We had to prove ourselves.” Says board member Kyle Graham, “The last 18 months have been a learning curve for all the directors, working for our members and adding value to all stakeholders. During the last 18 months, we learned of much dissatisfaction with the way things were done in the past. Probably one of the greatest hurdles to restore has been the faith of our members and other stakeholders in what LEEASA should stand for and what the new board of director’s aim was for the industry and all stakeholders as a whole.” Introducing change The updating of the association’s logos and introduction of a new website were the first signs that change was taking place, says board vice-chair, Surita Marx. “The website is not only indicative of the change but also presents LEEASA to the industry in a new and different way. It is an important channel for us to engage with our members.” Agenbag agrees to say it is a platform that showcases that LEEASA has changed and will continue to grow as it aims to be a strong voice for the industry focused on positive developments. According to Graham, the website is the first point of call. “We have managed to achieve a lot including the implementation of the new MOI that is clearly defined and ensures that all directors act in the best interests of the association, our members and the industry as a whole,” he says. “Our goal is to be the voice of the industry and offer support to all stakeholders. This is something we need to be cognitive of at all times, we are here, not for us or for any individual in particular,
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Lifting Africa - May/Jun 2022
