A woman building the next chapter of a family legacy
Advertising
18-08-2026
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The Content Engine
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“Don’t be intimidated and never underestimate yourself. Take the opportunity, give it your best and be willing to learn.”
This is Samantha Botha’s advice to women considering a career in concrete construction – advice shaped by a career spanning transport logistics and the family-owned Spraylock Africa.
Today, Samantha works alongside her father, Carl, and brother, Sheldon White, helping to grow the business. Her role covers almost every aspect of the company apart from sales, including administration, human resources, operations and finance.
“No two days are ever the same. Every day brings something different and new challenges. I am helping to build our family business and provide the foundation that keeps it moving forward,” she says.
The value of hard work
Samantha’s understanding of business began at home. Growing up, she watched her mother, Louise Novitzkas, work in the restaurant industry, first as a manager and later running her own restaurant.
It was a demanding, male-dominated environment, and Samantha saw how her mother solved problems, managed people and earned their respect.
“She had to work very hard and manage men in a tough industry. I watched how she solved problems and earned respect,” she recalls.
That experience helped prepare Samantha for her own career in transport logistics, another traditionally male-dominated environment. She worked with everyone from truck drivers to suppliers and major customers, developing skills that remain central to her work today.
“Transport taught me patience. Every industry needs patience. It taught me how to work under pressure, the importance of planning and attention to detail, and having a back-up plan,” she says.
It also reinforced her preference for getting on with the job.
“In these industries, there is no time for drama. You have to put that aside and get working,” she says.
That practical approach has carried through to Spraylock Africa, where the pace can be equally demanding.
From logistics to concrete construction
Moving into concrete construction introduced Samantha to an industry with a level of specialisation that continues to fascinate her.
“I had Civil Technology as part of my education, so I had an understanding of the fundamentals. What has surprised me is the depth of specialisation within concrete construction. There is a tremendous amount of expertise behind the performance of concrete floors and elements, much of which people outside the industry never see,” she says.
Samantha has approached the transition with the same willingness to learn that characterised her move into transport.
That attitude is particularly valuable at Spraylock Africa, which is introducing innovative technology into an industry where tried-and-tested approaches can be deeply entrenched.
Samantha sometimes joins Sheldon when he demonstrates the technology to customers.
“We have a very unique product and it is exciting to see how it performs and how well it is received by new customers,” she says.
For her, demonstrating the technology is far more effective than simply describing it.
“We go well beyond brochures. Once people see how it works, they are sold,” she says.
Respect through performance
Samantha believes concrete construction offers significant opportunities for women and that the industry benefits from having different perspectives around the table.
“Women bring balance and different perspectives. We pay attention to detail, communicate well and are good at building rapport with customers and suppliers,” she says.
For her, however, diversity extends beyond gender.
“You cannot have a good business if it is not diverse. You need different genders, backgrounds and cultures. That is what creates a stronger business and we have a lot of this in South Africa,” she says.
Her experience in male-dominated industries has also taught her that women may initially have to work harder to establish themselves.
Her advice is to focus on performance rather than worrying about whether you belong.
"Women sometimes back off because they don’t know what to expect,” she says. “Yet, work ethic always triumphs. Be reliable, committed and consistent. Focus on your work. If you perform well and people know they can depend on you, that is what matters.”
Motherhood, mentorship and confidence
Being a mother has strengthened many of the qualities Samantha relies on in business.
“You are always thinking on your toes. There is a lot of problem solving and adaptability. You learn to deal with whatever situation comes your way.”
She sees a natural parallel between raising children and building a family business.
“The business is like our baby, especially because it is a family-owned company,” Samantha says.
She acknowledges that combining motherhood with a career is not always easy, describing it as “a balancing act”.
Her message to women is not to allow those challenges to undermine their confidence.
She also encourages women to ask questions and recognise that learning is part of professional growth.
“There is no such thing as a dumb question. You learn by asking and by being willing to understand,” Samantha says.
Mentorship has played an important role in Samantha’s own development. Her mother was her first role model, while Nita Keyser, whom she worked with in transport logistics, became another important influence.
“Neeta taught me so much about finance, organisation, attention to detail and always having a back-up plan. She took me out of my comfort zone. We remain in contact today,” she says.
From foundation up
That willingness to learn remains important as Samantha works with her father and brother to develop Spraylock Africa.
“My dad nurtured the egg and we are helping to grow the chicken,” she says.
The family has ambitions to significantly expand its presence across Africa while continuing to grow its South African business.
For Samantha, however, growth is also about creating a workplace where people want to be and where customers know they can rely on the team.
“We all want this business to succeed,” she says. “To do this, we must create an environment where we enjoy coming to work, and our clients feel that. They must know that we are always there for them,” she says.
She recognises the important role customers have played in the company’s development.
“We will always value that,” she says.
As Spraylock Africa grows, Samantha remains committed to learning.
“I am proud to be a continuous learner. This has helped me take big jumps into the unknown and learn new industries. It takes a lot, but you learn along the way,” she concludes.
For more information please contact:
David Poggiolini
Debbie Poggiolini
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