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A force to be reckoned with

Monique Adams



Esther Shikalepo is an administrative assistant in the benefits processing division at the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF). This division is the engine of the operations department, as it is responsible for processing all benefits.

In her role, Shikalepo exclaims that she has significantly grown as an individual.

“I have learnt so much in this role and I continue to learn daily. Dealing with individuals from various backgrounds has taught me patience and has given me an understanding of intercultural relations,” she says.

Shikalepo’s role has contributed towards the fund striving towards becoming more member-centric and turning around pay-out times, which has improved tremendously:

Funeral benefits from 12 hours to seven hours;

Retirement benefits from 30 days to nine days;

Death benefits from 12 months to seven months.

She attributes the success of this to her diverse, dynamic, proactive, and eager-to-assist division.

“As a woman, a wife and a mother, I consider myself a superwoman, because I believe I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. I maintain a work-life balance by ensuring that I prioritise and avoid procrastination in all areas of my life,” she says.

In her free time, she enjoys writing, public speaking, singing and having constructive, informative conversations.

Shikalepo aspires to be a change agent that will assist the GIPF to realise its vision and mission. When quizzed on the statement “the world is my oyster”, she was quick to clarify that she plans on becoming an executive at the fund since she is confident that she can achieve anything she puts her mind to as the GIPF provides the opportunities to grow and to excel.