How overcoming challenges opens the door to growth and new opportunities
From a determined young woman in Rustenburg to a logistics professional balancing growth, family and learning, Portia’s story shows how resilience, support, and belief in one’s potential can transform a career and shape a meaningful leadership journey.
Growth rarely follows a linear path, and for Portia Raseboka, her journey reflects courage, adaptability, and commitment to continuous learning. As a participant in the DSV LeadHER programme, Portia’s story highlights how determination and support can unlock new opportunities and personal progress.
A journey shaped by determination
Born in Rustenburg and raised in a small town in Free State, Portia grew up with strong family influences that shaped her career choices. Excelling in both economics and physical science at school, she was required to choose one subject to pursue further. She chose physical science, inspired by her father’s career in mining and her aspiration to become a mining engineer.
Despite narrowly missing the entry requirements for university, she pursued mining studies part-time. It was during this time that she met her husband and decided to seek employment while continuing to study part time, keeping her goals in sight.
While browsing the local newspaper, she came across an advertisement for a pharmacist assistant role at the Department of Health. Curious about the opportunity, she applied and was successful. This marked an unexpected turn in her career path.
When her mining studies reached the stage that required practical training at a mine, Portia made the difficult decision to pause her studies. She chose instead to continue building her career at the Department of Health, completing the various pharmacy training programmes offered and gaining valuable professional experience. After eight years of dispensing medication, providing care to patients, developing a strong understanding of pharmaceutical quality and compliance, and balancing family life as a mother and wife, she felt ready for a new challenge and learning opportunity.
In 2018, she made the bold decision to resign without another role secured. This leap of faith led her to join DSV in 2019 as a temporary employee in Quality Assurance.
A move that became a turning point.
Investing in growth
Driven by her love for learning and self-improvement, Portia registered at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 2020 to complete a one-year Total Quality Management programme, strengthening her existing skills.
“I’ve always wanted growth. I like improving myself and I need something challenging.”
Eager to continue progressing in the logistics industry, she later enrolled for a Bachelor of Business Administration in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Although accepted, she was unable to secure bursary funding despite applying for two consecutive years. Refusing to let this deter her, she committed to self-funding her studies and began in 2024.
It was during this time that Portia was also nominated for the DSV LeadHER programme, where she found tools and insights that reshaped how she sees herself and her role within the organisation.
Demonstrating persistence, she applied for bursary support again in 2025, and this time, she was successful!
Transformation through LeadHER
Portia describes the programme as transformative, particularly modules on stakeholder engagement, networking, and power bases. These sessions helped her recognise the influence she already possesses and provided practical tools to utilise it more intentionally by understanding the strategic value of professional networks and recognising her own strengths as sources of influence.
The programme changed how I think and see things. I realised I already had strategic networks. I just didn’t know how to use them.
Her leadership approach reflects empathy and respect in an operational environment where women may face resistance. By emphasising professionalism and purpose over hierarchy or gender, she builds mutual respect and collaboration.
With renewed confidence, Portia continues to seek opportunities for continuous learning by proactively reaching out to different departments, arranging job shadowing and exploring lateral opportunities for growth.
She also actively shares her learnings with colleagues, applies them at home, and is committed to mentoring future programme participants, reinforcing the programme’s goal to create broader impact.
Leading with purpose
Alongside her career, Portia balances her responsibilities of being a wife, mother, and student through her faith, careful prioritisation and maintaining perspective.
“I focus on the bigger picture. The sacrifices now are for something greater later.”
Her advice to other women pursuing career advancement is simple yet powerful: “Don’t underestimate yourself. You can achieve whatever you set your mind to. Stay positive and work towards it.”
Portia’s journey is a reminder that leadership development is not only about career progression, but about discovering potential, expanding perspective, and shaping futures.
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