Prunel Bhoopal, Branch Manager at GSW Durban, is a confident women, passionate about growth, people and making a difference. As part of the Change 1 Woman (C1W) Women’s Month interview series, Bhoopal shared her career journey, the mentor who challenged her to step outside her comfort zone, and the lessons she has learnt while progressing from receptionist to Branch Manager.
She also discussed the importance of supporting women in technical and traditionally male dominated industries, and what companies and individuals can do to create more inclusive workplaces.
Who has been the biggest influence or mentor in your career?
My biggest mentor has been Mr Rob Franco. He saw potential in me that I did not always see in myself. He took me out of my little corner and pushed me far beyond my comfort zone, challenging me to grow both personally and professionally.
He encouraged me to put myself forward, speak with confidence, take on new challenges and not be afraid of opportunities simply because they were outside what I was used to. He taught me that sometimes you have to step outside the space where you feel comfortable to discover what you are truly capable of.
What I value most is that he did not just tell me what I could achieve. He gave me opportunities to prove it to myself. His belief in me helped me develop the confidence to take on challenges, learn new things and make my voice heard in an industry that can often be very male dominated.
Looking back, I realise that being pushed outside my comfort zone was one of the greatest things that could have happened to me. It helped shape the professional and woman I am today, and for that I will always be grateful.
What achievement are you most proud of, and why?
One of the achievements I am most proud of is the journey I have taken in my career, from starting as a receptionist to becoming a Branch Manager.
Moving from a receptionist role into management taught me that your starting point does not determine your destination. I had to build my knowledge of the industry, understand the business, develop relationships with customers and colleagues, and grow into a leadership role.
I am particularly proud because I did not take a shortcut. I worked my way up. Every position taught me something that prepared me for the next one.
My journey has shown me that with hard work, determination, a willingness to learn and the right people who believe in you, you can grow far beyond what you initially thought was possible.
For me, becoming a Branch Manager is not just a career achievement. It represents years of growth, resilience and believing in myself.
What advice would you give young women who want to follow a similar career path?
Do not be intimidated by technical environments. If you do not know something, learn it.
Ask questions. Never pretend to know something simply because you are afraid of looking inexperienced.
Build knowledge, not just confidence. Knowledge gives you confidence that nobody can take away.
Do not make yourself smaller to make other people comfortable. You deserve to have a voice.
Be consistent. Your reputation is built over years, not one big achievement.
Do not wait for someone to give you a seat at the table. Prepare yourself so well that when the opportunity comes, you are ready to take it.
Why do you believe Women’s Month is still important?
I believe Women’s Month is still extremely important because, although we have made progress, women are still constantly overlooked, particularly in technical environments and industries that have traditionally been dominated by men.
I have experienced this throughout my own career. There can sometimes be an assumption that a woman may not understand the technical side of a business, machinery or technology as well as a man. I believe that is exactly why women need to continue speaking up, gaining knowledge and making their presence known.
For me, Women’s Month is not about asking for special treatment. It is about creating equal opportunities and making sure women are recognised for their knowledge, skills, experience and contribution.
What can companies and industry leaders do to better support women in the workplace?
I think one of the things that makes GSW different is that our team includes some incredibly strong, confident and capable women. In fact, I would go as far as saying that some of the women in our team have personalities that are even stronger than many of the men, and that is something I admire and celebrate.
These women are not afraid to speak up, take responsibility, challenge ideas and make decisions. They bring knowledge, determination, resilience and a different perspective to the workplace, and that makes the team stronger as a whole.
For me, supporting women is not simply about putting women into positions to meet a target or saying that a company supports diversity. It is about genuinely recognising the value women bring and giving them the opportunity to grow.
Companies need to invest in women through training, mentorship, leadership opportunities and, most importantly, trust. Give women the opportunity to prove themselves rather than making assumptions about what they can or cannot do.
I believe GSW is a good example of what can happen when women are given the opportunity to contribute, lead and make their voices heard. We do not need to be treated differently. We need to be given the same opportunity to show what we are capable of.
How can both men and women work together to create more inclusive workplaces?
People need to speak up when they see unfair treatment, give women credit for their ideas, support women entering technical roles, mentor without bias and challenge outdated attitudes.
Women can also support other women by lifting each other up rather than competing unnecessarily.
Ultimately, we are all working towards the same thing: a workplace where the best person for the opportunity is chosen because of their ability, not their gender.
Sign Africa are proud media partners of the Women in Print series hosted by Printing SA this month.
C1W Initiative
Change 1 Woman (C1W) aims to empower women in the branding, print and signage industries. As part of this initiative, Sign Africa would like to spotlight women-focused content like this piece. If you have any trend/business articles related to the signage, branding and printing industries, please email content to: info@c1w.co.za. Follow C1W on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.
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